Omarzai, Rashid lead Afghanistan to convincing win over Bangladesh in series opener

Afghanistan followed a disciplined bowling display with a composed batting effort to secure a comfortable five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first ODI of the three-match series in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Half-centuries from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (50 off 76) and Rahmat Shah (50 off 70), along with a fluent 44-ball 40 from Azmatullah Omarzai, set the platform for the chase. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi then guided the hosts home with an unbeaten 33 off 46 balls as Afghanistan reached their target of 222 with 17 balls to spare.

Omarzai had a memorable all-round outing, claiming three wickets (3-40) alongside Rashid Khan (3-38) to bundle out Bangladesh for a modest 221 in 48.5 overs.

Bangladesh's familiar batting frailties resurfaced once again after they opted to bat first. Despite half-centuries from skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy, the innings lacked fluency and intent.

The Tigers stumbled to 53 for three inside 14 overs, losing Tanzid Tamim (10), Najmul Hossain Shanto (2), and Saif Hassan (26), before Miraz and Hridoy steadied the innings with an 89-run stand. But the partnership was more about survival than momentum.

Miraz made a patient 60 off 87 balls with just a four and a six, while Hridoy's 56 off 85 deliveries included three sixes and a four, yet both struggled to accelerate against disciplined Afghan bowling.

The stand was broken in the 36th over following a mix-up that cost Hridoy his wicket, and two overs later Miraz was trapped lbw by Rashid Khan. The Afghan skipper then tightened the screws, removing Jaker Ali (10) and Nurul Hasan Sohan (7) in quick succession to finish with figures of 3 for 38.

Omarzai also impressed with the new ball, dismissing Tanzid and Shanto early, before returning to remove Rishad Hossain in the death overs to cap off a strong performance. Spinner A. M. Ghazanfar (2 for 55) cleaned up the tail to end Bangladesh's underwhelming innings.

With the win, Afghanistan took a 1–0 lead in the three-match series, leaving Bangladesh with plenty to ponder ahead of the second ODI at the same venue.

Tigers struggling as openers give Afghanistan solid start 

Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on a 52-run stand in pursuit of Bangladesh's 221 before the latter fell in the last over of the Powerplay to leave the Afghans 53-1 after 10 overs. 

Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam got rid of Zadran who hit four fours for his 25-ball 23. Gurbaz, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 26 runs off 33 balls.  

Batting falters as Tigers get bundled out for 221

Bangladesh's batting frailties resurfaced once again as they folded for a below-par 221 in 48.5 overs in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Despite half-centuries from skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy, the innings lacked intent, momentum, and imagination. 

Miraz and Hridoy tried to steady the ship after the Tigers stumbled to 53 for three inside 14 overs, losing Tanzid Tamim (10 off 10 balls), Najmul Hossain Shanto (2 off 5), and Saif Hassan (26 off 37). But their partnership, worth 89 runs, was more survival than substance. Both players laboured through long stays at the crease without ever shifting gears. Miraz's 87-ball 60 included just a six and a four, while Hridoy's 56 off 85 balls featured three sixes and a four but little urgency.

The stagnation eventually told. A mix-up cost Hridoy his wicket in the 36th over, and two overs later Miraz fell lbw to Rashid Khan, whose introduction changed the complexion of the innings. The Afghan leg-spinner turned the screws with trademark guile, dismissing Jaker Ali (10 off 16) and Nurul Hasan Sohan (7 off 14) in quick succession to finish with impressive figures of 3 for 38.

Azmatullah Omarzai also claimed three wickets, including those of Tanzid and Shanto with the new ball, while AM Ghazanfar (2-55) cleaned up the tail to end an underwhelming batting effort that never truly got going.

Miraz, Hridoy knuckle down to lead Tigers' rebuild 

Skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy dug deep with half-centuries, playing sluggish yet steady knocks to lead Bangladesh's rebuild after the Tigers lost their top three for 53 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. 

Miraz reached his half-century in 74 balls, while Hridoy took 80 balls to complete his as the duo forged an unbeaten 94-run stand to propel the Tigers to 147 runs for the loss of three wickets after 34 overs. 

Saif departs leaving Tigers in a spot of bother 

In-from opener Saif Hassan departed after making a 37-ball 26 on debut, leaving the Tigers in a spot of bother at 53-3 after 12 overs in the first ODI of the three-match series against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. 

Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote managed to get the better of Saif in his very first over. After bowling three dot balls, the right-hander made room for himself and looked to loft it over extra cover but mistimed it and was held at wide-ish long-off. 

Earlier, pacer Azmatullah Omarzai struck in back-to-back overs to have the Tigers 27-2. The right-arm quick nicked off opener Tanzid Tamim (10 runs off 10 balls) in the fourth over before Najmul Hossain Shanto (two runs off five balls) chipped one to mid-off. 

Saif makes debut as Tigers opt to bat in first ODI

Bangladesh captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz won the toss and opted to bat first against Afghanistan in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi today.

Top-order batter Saif Hassan made his maiden ODI appearance, earning a spot in the playing XI after a series of impressive performances in T20Is. The right-hander is expected to open the innings alongside Tanzid Hasan Tamim.

Bangladesh will look to turn around their fortunes in the 50-over format and build on the momentum from their recent T20 success. The Tigers have been in excellent form in the shortest format, having won four consecutive bilateral series — against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Netherlands and Afghanistan — besides reaching the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, where they narrowly missed out on a place in the final.

However, their ODI record tells a different story. Since November last year, Bangladesh have suffered three straight series defeats — to Afghanistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka. Their last ODI series win came in March 2024 at home against Sri Lanka.