Azmatullah Omarzai Shines as Afghanistan Clinch 5-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh in ODI Opener

Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh by 5 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series. Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan took three wickets each, restricting Bangladesh to 221 runs. In reply, fifties from Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah helped Afghanistan reach the target safely.

The match, the first of the three-match series, was played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday. Afghanistan chased the 222-run target with 17 balls to spare. Bangladesh, who won the toss and chose to bat first, were bowled out for 221 runs in 48.5 overs.

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Afghanistan Beat Bangladesh by 5 Wickets in ODI Opener

Bangladesh chose to bat first but lost their key opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim early. Saif Hassan played well, scoring 26 runs off 37 balls before getting out to Nangeyalia Kharote.

Then, skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy rebuilt the innings, adding 101 runs together. Miraz scored 60 off 87 balls before getting out, and Towhid Hridoy was run out later. Bangladesh could manage only 221 runs.

Afghanistan started their chase strongly. The openers added 52 runs before Ibrahim Zadran got out. Sediqullah Atal also got out cheaply. But Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah added 78 runs together to steady the innings.

Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai finished the job. Azmatullah Omarzai shined with the ball and bat, taking three important wickets and scoring 40 runs in the chase. Afghanistan chased down the target and won by 5 wickets.

This win gives Afghanistan a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second match will be played later this week as Afghanistan aim to win the series and build momentum for their upcoming international games.

Brief Scores

Bangladesh: 221 in 48.5 overs (Miraj 60, Hridoy 56, Saif 26; Rashid 3/38, Omarzai 3/40, Ghazanfar 2/55). 

Afghanistan: 226/5 in 47.1 overs (Gurbaz 50, Rahmat 50, Omarzai 40, Shahidi 33*, Zadran 23; Tanzim 3/31).

 Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets.