Zadran’s 95, Nabi’s late blitz lift Afghanistan to 293

Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran missed out on another ton as Saif Hassan and Tanvir Islam led Bangladesh's fightback to restrict the visitors to 293 for nine in the third and final ODI of the three-match series in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Late fireworks from Mohammad Nabi, however, made sure to spoil Bangladesh's comeback. 

Zadran, who had scored 95 in the second ODI, repeated the feat with another 95 -- this time off 111 balls, featuring seven fours and two sixes -- before being run out. He set the tone early, stitching together a 99-run opening stand with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made a brisk 42 off 44 deliveries.

Tanvir provided Bangladesh their first breakthrough in the 16th over, trapping Gurbaz leg-before, before Saif struck twice in quick succession to halt Afghanistan's momentum. Zadran tried to rebuild, adding 74 runs for the third wicket with Sediqullah Atal (29 off 47), but the latter chipped one back to Saif in the 32nd over. In his next, Saif removed skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi for two, before rattling Ikram Alikhil's stumps for another cheap dismissal to leave Afghanistan wobbling at 188 for five in the 38th over.

Saif finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 6 from just four overs, while Tanvir returned later to dismiss the dangerous Azmatullah Omarzai for 20. Bangladesh seemed on course to restrict Afghanistan below 250, but veteran Nabi launched a late counterattack. Coming in during the 38th over, the all-rounder bludgeoned five sixes and four fours in an unbeaten 37-ball 62 to lift his side to a competitive 293 for nine.