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Afghanistan rode on Rahmanullah Gurbaz's exceptional century to avoid a series sweep as they stifled Bangladesh by seven wickets in the third and final ODI on Monday (February 28). Opener Gurbaz cracked whip with an unbeaten 106 to make light work of Bangladesh's lowly target of 193 as they also picked a valuable 10 Super League points.
Afghanistan star leg-spinner Rashid Khan snared 3/37 as limit Bangladesh to a lowly total in 46.5 overs. Gurbaz then blasted seven boundaries and four big ones to cruise Afghanistan home with 59 balls to spare. Beside Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah scored 47 off 67 and Riaz Hasan garnered 35 runs in the winning cause.
Gurbaz and Riaz gave Afghanistan a robust start, as they stitched together a 79-run opening stand before the Bangladesh's all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan had the latter stumped to break through. The 20-year-old Afghan then added another 100 with Rahmat Shah for the second wicket.
Mehidy Hasan struck twice, dismissing Shah to end the partnership and then took the scalp of Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahihi.
Gurbaz brought up his century off 103 balls, pushing pacer Mustafizur Rahman through cover for doubles and soon after that fittingly finished the game with a single off Mehidy towards square leg.
Fresh from his 136 in the second game, opener Liton Das made 86 to be the top scorer for Bangladesh. Shakib scored 30 and Mahmudullah was not out on 29. Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed skipper Tamim Iqbal for the third time in a row to give Afghanistan a good start after Bangladesh opted to bat first.
Liton and Shakib then added 61 runs before the latter dragged Azmatullah Omarzai's delivery onto his stump. Rashid triggered a collapse, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Ali in quick succession. Opener Liton smashed seven fours in his 113-ball 86 before he was dismissed by Mohammad Nabi (2/29) as the flurry of wickets continued for Bangladesh till they restricted to just 192. Bangladesh lost their last six wickets for just 39 runs.
