Bangladesh aims to avoid a second clean sweep in three series as they face Afghanistan in the third and final ODI at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi today. The match is set to commence at 6:00 PM Bangladesh Standard Time.
Under the leadership of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh has experienced a difficult run, suffering their fourth consecutive ODI series loss after falling to Afghanistan in the first two matches of the current series by margins of five wickets and 81 runs, respectively. Mehidy, who had a disappointing series against the West Indies in late 2024, has seen little change in fortunes since taking on the captaincy role full-time.
The team’s batting woes have been evident, particularly in the middle order. In their first encounter with Afghanistan, Bangladesh slid from a position of strength at 153-3 to 195-7. The second match saw a dramatic collapse, where they lost seven wickets for just 59 runs while chasing a target of 190 runs. Following the second match, Mehidy reflected on the need for improved performances, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and building partnerships among the players.
“Our batters are not taking enough responsibility. We’re very disappointed at the moment, but we still have one more match left. After that, we have another series, and we have to think about how to come back stronger,” Mehidy commented. He acknowledged that without adequate scoring in ODIs, the team would struggle to maintain competitiveness.
Notably, Najmul Hossain Shanto has had difficulty getting into form, with disappointing scores of 23, 14, 0, 2, and 7 in his last five innings since a promising 77 against New Zealand during the ICC Champions Trophy. This lack of substantial runs from the batting lineup has adds pressure on the middle order, where less experienced players such as Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan, Jaker Ali, and Nurul Hasan have yet to deliver.
In response to these challenges, Bangladesh has options for bolstering their middle order, including Shamim Hossain. Meanwhile, top-order batsman Mohammad Naim has finally joined the squad after facing visa issues.
The Bangladeshi batters will also need to strategize against Afghanistan’s formidable spin attack, particularly looking to handle Rashid Khan, who has claimed eight wickets in the series so far, including a five-wicket haul in the last match. Mushtaq Ahmed, the Tigers’ spin bowling coach, underscored the importance of focusing on the ball rather than the bowler to improve their chances at the crease.
He stated, “I think they are playing Rashid, not the ball. He is not a big spinner of the ball, but he has great value, is very experienced, and is a wicket taker. His line length is very consistent, so we need to play the ball, not the bowler.”
Additionally, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai poses a significant threat; he has taken three wickets in each of the first two matches while also contributing valuable runs with the bat. As Bangladesh prepares for this crucial match, the team remains hopeful for a turnaround, aiming to break their losing streak and regain confidence ahead of the next series.