By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 12, 2025 | 01:14 AM
**Afghanistan Overcome Bangladesh by 81 Runs in 2nd ODI, Take Series Lead**
Afghanistan secured a commanding 81-run victory over Bangladesh in the 2nd ODI of the three-match series held in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The standout performer for Afghanistan was Ibrahim Zadran, who played a solid innings of 95 runs off 140 balls, including three boundaries and a six.
### Afghanistan’s Innings: Steady but Hampered by Wickets
Afghanistan’s batting lineup struggled to build momentum despite Zadran’s brilliant effort. The team lost three wickets inside the first powerplay, impacting their ability to accelerate.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz tried to set an aggressive tone by attacking Tanzim Hasan early but was caught at the deep square leg boundary in the fifth over. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam soon dismissed Sediqullah Atal in the ninth over with an easy catch at long-on. Adding to Afghanistan’s woes, Rahmat Shah suffered a calf injury in the 15th over, further weakening the batting unit.
### Tight Bowling by Bangladesh in Middle Overs
Despite Zadran’s presence, Bangladesh kept the runs under control during the middle overs. Between the 13th and 30th overs, the Afghan batsmen managed just two boundaries. Zadran and Mohammad Nabi shared a partnership that lasted over 10 overs, but they were unable to significantly push the innings forward.
Nabi was eventually dismissed after scoring 22, offering an easy catch to Mehidy Hasan Miraz at cover.
### Key Moments: Mehidy Hasan’s Impact and Rashid Khan’s Five-Wicket Haul
Mehidy Hasan was instrumental in restricting Afghanistan’s batting momentum. Tanzim Hasan’s sharp throw from the deep ended Nangeyalia Kharote’s innings, and Mehidy struck twice more, including the wicket of Rashid Khan to close out the over.
Afghanistan’s AM Ghazanfar attempted to counter-attack Mustafizur Rahman, hitting two fours and a six in the 41st over, which went for 16 runs.
Zadran’s innings came to an end in the 44th over when Rishad Hossain took a stunning catch at deep midwicket, awarding Mehidy his third wicket of the match.
### Match Analysis and Player Highlights
– **Mehidy Hasan’s Bowling Milestone:** Mehidy’s figures of 3/42 took his ODI wicket tally to 117 from 110 matches, with an average of 36.47. Against Afghanistan, he now has 17 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 33.47.
– **Ibrahim Zadran’s Batting Excellence:** Zadran’s 95-run knock was his eighth ODI fifty, accumulating 1,778 runs in 38 matches at an impressive average of 50.68, including six centuries. Against Bangladesh specifically, he has scored 376 runs in 8 matches at 53.71, with three innings exceeding fifty runs.
### Bangladesh’s Struggle with the Bat
Bangladesh’s innings lacked momentum throughout, with Towhid Hridoy top-scoring with just 24 runs before throwing his wicket away. The Tigers were unable to mount a significant challenge and ultimately crumbled against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack.
### Rashid Khan’s Maiden Five-Wicket Haul Against Bangladesh
Rashid Khan delivered a match-winning bowling performance, taking his sixth five-wicket haul in ODIs, finishing with figures of 5/19. This brought his career total to 207 wickets from 116 matches at an average of 19.87 and an economy rate of 4.21.
Notably, this was Rashid’s first five-wicket haul against Bangladesh. He has taken 32 wickets in 18 matches versus Bangladesh at an average of 20.65. On UAE pitches, Rashid has been particularly effective, claiming 66 wickets in 26 matches at an outstanding average of 13.03, including three five-wicket hauls.
### Interesting Facts
– **Second Afghan Bowler with an ODI Fifer Against Bangladesh:** Rashid Khan is now only the second Afghan bowler to take a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in ODIs. Youngster Allah Ghazanfar previously claimed 6/26 against the Tigers.
– **Bangladesh’s Lowest ODI Total Against Afghanistan:** Bangladesh’s score of 109 all out is their lowest total against Afghanistan in ODIs. Their previous lowest was 119 all out in Abu Dhabi back in 2018.
Afghanistan’s strong all-round performance has put them in a commanding position in the series, with one ODI remaining to be played.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/2nd-odi-zadran-and-rashid-shine-as-afg-trump-bangladesh/story
