Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran hit centuries and shared a record partnership to guide the side to a hefty 331-9 in the second ODI against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Chowdury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.
It was Afghanistan's highest total against Bangladesh and third largest in its cricket history. Bangladesh never successfully chased down such a huge total as their highest successful chase was 322-3 against West Indies in 2019 World Cup. Bangladesh though had 333-8 in second innings, it came in losing-cause against Australia, also in 2019 World Cup.
Gurbaz hammered his career-best 145 off 125, smashing 13 fours and eight towering sixes while Ibrahim who was less aggressive than his partner, scored exactly 100, facing 119 deliveries. He struck nine fours and one six in his fourth ODI ton.
They combined for a 256-run partnership in their opening stand, which was highest for Afghanistan in any wicket, going past 218 against Scotland in 2010.
With Afghanistan eyeing anything over 350 after that partnership, Bangladesh bowlers came back strongly to take nine wickets for just 75 runs and gave the side a chance to create a record chase in their 'do or die' match as the pitch is still playing good.
Shakib Al Hasan led the bowling attack with 2-50 and only bowler of Bangladesh to concede less than six runs per over. Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also took two wickets apiece while Ebadot Hossain picked up one before leaving the ground with an injury. The extent of his injury is yet to be known.
Gurbaz put Bangladesh bowlers in sword after Liton Das who led the side following Tamim Iqbal's retirement issue that was reversed after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's intervention, decided to bowl first.
He was particularly harsh on Mustafizur Rahman who was bowling short in abundance. After hitting eight fours and six sixes, Gurbaz raised his fourth century off exact 100 balls, tucking a delivery of Shakib Al Hasan toward mid-wicket for a single.
After the century, he came on hard against Bangladesh bowlers but Shakib finally dismissed him via lbw, before he made more damage. Gurbaz reviewed the decision in vain.
Following the dismissal of Gurbaz, Bangladesh bowlers regrouped well to take the upper-hand of the match as they started taking wicket in regular interval.
Amid the bowlers' good work, Ibrahim Zadran brought up his ton off 118 balls, driving Mustafizur to sweeper cover for a single.
Mustafizur got rid of him immediately in next delivery as Afghanistan batting line up fell like a pack of cards, much to Bangladesh's delight.
Mohammad Nabi's 15 ball-25 not out was the only other 20 plus score apart from the century of the duo.
Afghanistan lead the three-match series 1-0 following their 17-run victory on DLS method in the first game.
Source: BSS