Bangladesh failed to achieve all 30 points of the ICC World Cup Super League and a clean sweep in their three-match One-Day International series against Afghanistan as they were beaten by seven wickets in the third and final match of the series in Chattogram.
Bangladesh could only manage 192 batting first as none but Liton Das could assert themselves on the pitch. Liton scored 86, with Shakib Al Hasan scoring 30.
In reply, Afghanistan walked to the total with ease as Bangladesh produced a lacklustre effort on the field, dropping three catches of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored his third ODI century to take his side home with 59 balls in hand.
Batting first, Bangladesh were off to a good start as they only lost skipper Tamim Iqbal in the first 20 overs and Liton put up a 61-run stand with Shakib.
But after Shakib’s dismissal, nobody could accompany Liton at the crease, and after the opener was gone for 86, Bangladesh folded for 192.
In reply, Afghanistan had little to no trouble chasing down the total.
Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan (35) brought them a 79-run opening stand, before he was stumped off Shakib.
Gurbaz then put together a 100-run stand with Rahmat Shah (47), before the latter was stumped off Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Miraz then also dismissed Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (2), but it was too little, too late.
Gurbaz reached his hundred off 103 deliveries, hitting six fours and four sixes, but he could have been gone way earlier.
A edge from him went through the keeper, Mushfiqur Rahim, and the first slip fielder, Yasir Ali Rabbi, in the seventh over off Shoriful Islam’s bowling when he was just on 13.
In the 23rd over, Shoriful was again unlucky as Mushfiq failed to grab on a chance given from Gurbaz on 60, and Shoriful was third time unlucky in his next over when Mahmudullah Riyad dropped a dolly at long leg when the Afghan batsman was on 61.
Gurbaz made good use of all these opportunities to get his third ODI ton, and brought his team 10 vital Super League points.
