Under the evening floodlights of the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan scaled another magnificent peak in their rapid international evolution, capturing a memorable 2-1 One-Day International series triumph over Bangladesh with a clinical five-wicket victory in the deciding third match. Dynamic wicketkeeper-opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz struck an imperious 101—his eighth ODI hundred—while premier all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai produced an unforgettable all-round tour de force, claiming 4 for 37 with the ball before hammering an unbeaten 70 to guide the Blue Tigers past the finish line with ten deliveries to spare.
The triumph marks Afghanistan’s third consecutive bilateral ODI series victory against ICC Full Member nations, firmly solidifying their status as one of global white-ball cricket’s most formidable and entertaining forces. For Bangladesh, despite heroic resistance from veteran Mahmudullah, who compiled a defiant 98, their inability to sustain bowling pressure during middle-overs partnerships sealed their demise. Cricket enthusiasts analyzing live scorecards and match progressions can review the action on our Live Match Center and track global updates on the Live Cricket Scores page.
Bangladesh First Innings: Mahmudullah Rescues Tigers from Collapse
Winning the toss on a dry, abrasive Sharjah surface, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz elected to bat first, seeking to post an intimidating scoreboard total. However, the decision backfired dramatically during the opening powerplay as Afghanistan’s seamers exploited fresh bounce and late tail. Tanzid Hasan fell early to AM Ghazanfar, and when Omarzai was introduced into the attack, Bangladesh’s top order crumbled in astonishing fashion.
Omarzai removed Soumya Sarkar (24), Zakir Hasan (4), and Towhid Hridoy (7) within the space of four overs, utilizing sharp scrambled-seam movement and deceptive changes of pace. At 72 for 4 in the 15th over, Bangladesh looked in grave danger of being bundled out for a sub-150 total. It took the composure and immense experience of 38-year-old veteran Mahmudullah alongside skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz to mount a courageous, counter-attacking rescue mission.
The seasoned duo stitched together an invaluable 145-run partnership for the fifth wicket, blunting Afghanistan's vaunted spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Nangeyalia Kharote. Mahmudullah paced his innings to perfection, rotating strike effortlessly before launching into late-innings aggression. He looked poised for a well-deserved century before being run out off the final delivery of the innings for a magnificent 98 off 98 balls (including seven boundaries and three sixes). Mehidy contributed a resolute 66 as Bangladesh recovered to a competitive 244 for 8 in their 50 overs.
The Run Chase: Gurbaz Anchors Afghan Ambitions
Chasing 245 on a wearing Sharjah surface requiring tactical patience, Afghanistan faced an early wobble when debutant opener Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah fell to the left-arm swing of Mustafizur Rahman and Nahid Rana. When captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was trapped LBW by Mustafizur for just 6, Afghanistan were precariously placed at 84 for 3 in the 21st over, with the required run rate steadily climbing toward six an over.
It was at this critical juncture that Rahmanullah Gurbaz stamped his authority on the contest. Showing newfound maturity and temperament, Gurbaz curbed his natural attacking instincts against the new ball, rotating the strike and punishing only loose deliveries. Joined by Azmatullah Omarzai, Gurbaz steadily shifted gears, employing his trademark swivel-pull against short deliveries and launching towering sixes over long-on against the spinners.
Gurbaz reached his eighth ODI hundred off 117 deliveries, joining an ultra-elite global club as the second-youngest player in international cricket history (at 22 years and 349 days) to reach eight ODI centuries, behind only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. His knock was adorned with five crisp boundaries and seven colossal sixes that sent the passionate Afghan supporters in the Sharjah stands into raptures.
Omarzai and Nabi Deliver the Final Knockout Blow
When Gurbaz eventually holed out in the 39th over with 61 runs still required, Bangladesh sensed a window of opportunity. However, Azmatullah Omarzai refused to let the match slip. Displaying the poise of a seasoned finisher, Omarzai took down Bangladesh’s bowlers with calculated ferocity, bludgeoning five massive sixes and three fours in a breathtaking 70 not out off 77 deliveries.
Alongside the ageless Mohammad Nabi, who contributed a composed 34 not out from 27 balls, Omarzai guided Afghanistan over the victory line at 246 for 5 in 48.2 overs, completing a memorable 100-run partnership and sparking jubilation across the dugout. Omarzai’s exceptional match figures of 4 for 37 and 70* earned him the unanimous Player of the Match and Player of the Series accolades.
Scorecard Summary: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Decider
The statistical matrix below highlights the individual masterclasses that decided the series in Sharjah:
| Innings / Highlight | Scores & Detailed Figures | Impact Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh (1st Innings) | 244/8 (50.0 Overs) • Mahmudullah 98 (98), Mehidy 66 (119) | Resilient Middle-Order Partnership |
| Azmatullah Omarzai (Bowling) | 7.0 Overs, 37 Runs, 4 Wickets (Economy: 5.28) | Top-Order Seam Demolition |
| Rashid Khan & Mohammad Nabi | Rashid 1/40 (10.0 ov), Nabi 1/37 (10.0 ov) | Middle-Overs Economy Control |
| Afghanistan (2nd Innings) | 246/5 (48.2 Overs) • Target: 245 Runs Achieved | Clinical 5-Wicket Run Chase |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 101 Runs (120 Balls, 5x4, 7x6, Strike Rate: 84.16) | Match-Winning 8th Career ODI Century |
| Azmatullah Omarzai (Batting) | 70* Runs (77 Balls, 3x4, 5x6, Strike Rate: 90.90) | Player of the Match & Finish Anchor |
Tactical Evolution: Afghanistan’s Rise as a Complete White-Ball Giant
Historically criticized for relying solely on their world-renowned mystery spinners, Afghanistan’s recent triumphs in 50-over cricket highlight a profound structural evolution. Their seam attack, led by Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi, has consistently dismantled top orders in both powerplay and middle overs. Meanwhile, their batting spine now combines Gurbaz’s fearless boundary-hitting with Shahidi’s stability and Omarzai’s finishing firepower.
This tactical maturity mirrors the grit and defensive application demonstrated in red-ball cricket by visiting sides in recent subcontinent battles, as seen in our Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Report. Fans can explore previous international results across all formats on our Recent Match Results portal and view forthcoming series schedules on the Upcoming Cricket Fixtures page. For followers tracking regional white-ball calendars, consult the Pakistan Cricket Schedule 2026 and the PSL 2026 Schedule & Teams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won the 3rd ODI between Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Sharjah?
Afghanistan won the 3rd ODI by five wickets, chasing down Bangladesh's target of 245 with ten balls to spare to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
What historic milestone did Rahmanullah Gurbaz achieve in this match?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored his eighth ODI century (101 off 120 balls), becoming the second-youngest player in men's ODI history (at 22 years and 349 days) to score eight ODI centuries, behind Sachin Tendulkar.
What were Azmatullah Omarzai’s figures and stats in the decider?
Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a match-winning all-round performance, claiming 4 wickets for 37 runs with the ball before scoring an unbeaten 70 off 77 deliveries to seal the victory.
How many consecutive bilateral ODI series has Afghanistan now won?
This victory in Sharjah marked Afghanistan's third consecutive bilateral ODI series win against Full Member nations, following their triumphs over South Africa and Ireland.
