Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s brilliant 101 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round performance helped Afghanistan clinch a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Sharjah, sealing their third consecutive series win. Chasing 245, Gurbaz, who previously struggled with an average of 16.73 in chases, hit his second century batting second, with 42 runs coming through sixes. His aggressive knock set up Afghanistan’s chase, supported by a crucial 100-run partnership with Omarzai for the fourth wicket after Afghanistan were 84 for 3 in the 21st over. Despite losing Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib in quick succession, Omarzai’s unbeaten 70 off 77 deliveries, featuring five sixes, steered Afghanistan home.
Omarzai, who went wicketless in the previous matches, was instrumental with the ball as well, claiming 4 for 37 and earning Player-of-the-Match honors. Bangladesh initially looked promising, with Mahmudullah’s 98 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 66 adding a 145-run fifth-wicket partnership. After a shaky start where Afghanistan dropped catches and conceded extras, Omarzai’s dismissal of Soumya Sarkar for 24 broke Bangladesh’s opening partnership of 53. Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and the fielding unit then put Bangladesh under pressure, reducing them from 53 for 0 to 72 for 4.
While Mehidy struggled to accelerate, Mahmudullah found his rhythm, hitting the first six in the 35th over and helping Bangladesh add 78 runs in the last ten overs. Mahmudullah’s late strikes, including a six off Rashid and another off Fazalhaq Farooqi, took Bangladesh to a competitive total, though he was eventually run out on 98 while attempting a second run on the final ball. However, Afghanistan’s strong batting display, led by Gurbaz and Omarzai, ensured they successfully chased down the target and won the series.
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