An all-round performance from Azmatullah Omarzai guided Afghanistan to a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first One-Day International in Abu Dhabi. Omarzai took three crucial wickets before hitting a quick 40 to ensure his team chased down a target of 222 with 17 balls to spare. The win, which featured half-centuries from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah, gives Afghanistan a 1-0 lead in the series.
Afghanistan’s chase of 222 was built on two key partnerships. After a solid start, Gurbaz, 50 and Rahmat, 50 added 78 runs for the third wicket to lay a strong foundation. However, both set batters were dismissed in quick succession, putting Bangladesh back in the contest. The match was then decisively turned in Afghanistan’s favour by a 59-run stand between captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, 34 not out and Omarzai, whose 40 off 44 balls provided the required momentum before the lower order calmly saw the team home.
Earlier, Bangladesh was bowled out for 221 after being sent in to bat. The innings was rescued from an early slump by a 101-run partnership between captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who top-scored with 60, and Towhid Hridoy, 56. Just as Bangladesh looked set to post a more challenging total, the dismissals of both established batsmen triggered another collapse, with the team failing to capitalize on the platform they had built.
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan became the first player from his country to take 200 ODI wickets, achieving the feat in just 115 matches. He finished with figures of 3 for 38, taking key wickets in the middle overs. During his innings, Rahmat Shah also crossed a major landmark, becoming the first Afghan batsman to score 4,000 runs in the ODI format. For Bangladesh, seamer Tanzim Hasan was the most effective bowler, taking 3 for 31.
After the match, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz felt his side was "40 runs short" and lamented the lack of partnerships. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed his satisfaction with the overall result but was critical of senior batsman Rahmat Shah, stating he was "not happy with his dismissal" after getting set and that he should have finished the game.
