Bangladesh Crumble to Third Straight Series Defeat in Abu Dhabi
Bangladesh suffered another crushing defeat, falling 81 runs short of a modest target of 190 against Afghanistan in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. This loss sealed Afghanistan’s third consecutive ODI series victory over Bangladesh in the last three years — a remarkable feat that underlined their growing dominance in the format.
For Bangladesh, the 109-run collapse highlighted deepening batting woes, while Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai, once again dictated the pace of the game. The defeat also marked another disappointing chapter in Bangladesh’s recent overseas performances.
Afghanistan’s Comeback After Early Setbacks
The Bangladesh vs Afghanistan series carried an extra layer of significance for the Afghan side. After an early exit from the Asia Cup and a 3-0 drubbing in the T20I series against Bangladesh, Afghanistan’s squad entered the ODIs under pressure to prove their resilience. Despite dropping a few experienced players, the team’s younger core — bolstered by the experience of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Ibrahim Zadran — responded emphatically.
Batting first, Afghanistan found themselves struggling to build partnerships as Bangladesh’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Ibrahim Zadran, however, held firm, crafting a gritty 95 off 140 balls — an innings that anchored the Afghan total and ultimately proved match-winning. His calm temperament under pressure stood in stark contrast to Bangladesh’s faltering top order later in the game.
Zadran’s innings included just four boundaries but was a masterclass in strike rotation and game awareness. He stitched crucial stands with Mohammad Nabi and No. 10 batter AM Ghazanfar, whose 22-run cameo with two fours and a six propelled Afghanistan close to 200 before being bowled out for 190.
Bangladesh Falter Once Again with the Bat
For Bangladesh, the chase began with familiar trouble. Facing the swing and seam movement of Azmatullah Omarzai, the top order struggled to adapt to the conditions. Tanzid Hasan’s top-edge dismissal in the very first over set the tone for yet another collapse. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s unfortunate run-out compounded the pressure, and Saif Hassan, despite a promising start, couldn’t capitalise. His dismissal after a flashy 22 off 23 balls — caught attempting an uppercut after consecutive boundaries — epitomised their poor shot selection.
As the innings unfolded, the match turned into a repeat of the previous game’s storyline. Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell lbw to Omarzai for just four, leaving Bangladesh tottering at 33 for 4. From there, it was Rashid Khan’s show.
Rashid Khan’s Spin Web Decimates Bangladesh
The leg-spin maestro, who had already been instrumental in Afghanistan’s first ODI win, produced another stunning spell. Rashid’s figures of 5 for 17 ripped through Bangladesh’s middle and lower order, leaving no room for recovery. His clever variations — especially the googly — proved too good for Bangladesh’s batters, who once again failed to read him.
Towhid Hridoy offered a brief resistance with a controlled 24, lacing four boundaries with authority. Yet, his decision to play a slog sweep against Rashid in the 17th over proved fatal. Nurul Hasan followed in similar fashion, missing a googly and getting bowled. Within minutes, the innings disintegrated.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib was trapped lbw, and Jaker Ali fell soon after. The Tigers lost three wickets without adding a single run, collapsing from 87 for 6 to 87 for 9. Rashid Khan’s artistry and precision left the Tigers gasping, as the team was bowled out for 109 in just 39.5 overs.
Missed Opportunities and Lack of Application
From a Bangladesh perspective, the contest once again exposed a lack of temperament and adaptability. While the pitch in Abu Dhabi offered some assistance to both pacers and spinners, Bangladesh’s inability to build partnerships or rotate the strike proved costly.
The team’s repeated struggles against Rashid Khan’s leg-spin and Omarzai’s disciplined pace highlight a tactical issue — the batters’ reluctance to play with patience or use the crease effectively. Coach Chandika Hathurusingha and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will now face mounting pressure to address these recurring batting collapses ahead of future assignments.
Bowling-wise, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was one of the few bright spots, claiming 3 for 42 and dismissing key Afghan batters, including Ibrahim Zadran. However, the lack of sustained pressure and support from the other bowlers allowed Afghanistan to recover and post a defendable total.
Afghanistan’s Growing Supremacy Over Bangladesh
This latest result underscores how much the dynamics of Bangladesh vs Afghanistan cricket have shifted in recent years. Once seen as underdogs, Afghanistan have now established themselves as consistent competitors, especially in limited-overs formats. Their third straight ODI series win over Bangladesh — each achieved through strategic bowling and disciplined batting — signals their rise as one of Asia’s most formidable emerging teams.
Afghanistan’s success story is not just about individual brilliance. It reflects a system built around fitness, adaptability, and mental resilience. Despite missing a few senior players, their young brigade stepped up with confidence. Omarzai’s all-round consistency, Rashid’s match-winning spells, and Zadran’s batting maturity are testaments to a team that has learned from past failures.
Looking Ahead: Bangladesh’s Road to Redemption
For Bangladesh, the defeat in Abu Dhabi demands serious introspection. The batting unit’s lack of application and frequent collapses have now become a pattern. The rivalry, once tilted in favour of the Tigers, has now turned into a tough lesson in how quickly momentum can shift in international cricket.
As the team prepares for upcoming assignments, questions loom large over selection consistency and the balance of the squad. Players like Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan have shown glimpses of potential, but the side needs collective responsibility — not isolated brilliance.
Bangladesh’s fans, who once celebrated famous wins over the same opponent, are now watching with growing frustration as their team struggles to handle Afghanistan’s calculated aggression and tactical discipline.
Unless the Tigers can rediscover their composure and rebuild confidence in their batting order, the rivalry may continue to expose Bangladesh’s weaknesses in high-pressure conditions.
The second ODI in Abu Dhabi was more than just a defeat — it was a wake-up call. Bangladesh’s 81-run loss to Afghanistan wasn’t about a poor pitch or bad luck; it was about lapses in judgement, poor execution, and underestimating an opponent that has evolved rapidly.
With Afghanistan celebrating another series triumph, the men in red and green must now return to the drawing board, reassess their strategy, and reignite the fighting spirit that once defined their cricketing identity.