Bangladesh lost the series by dropping a catch
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Bangladesh lost the series by dropping a catch
Rahmanullah Gurbaz proved once again that 'missing a catch means missing the match'. Bangladesh wasted a chance to take a catch in the third ODI to decide the series. He used his 'second life' very well. He stopped after scoring a century. Based on that, Afghanistan also chased down the target of 245 runs set by Bangladesh with 5 wickets in hand.
Bangladesh went to the brink of a chasm after losing the first match by 92 runs. They returned to the series by winning the second match by 68 runs. As a result, the third match became an unannounced final. As a result of this 5-wicket loss in that match, Bangladesh ended the second consecutive series against the Afghans with the bitter memories of losing.
Afghanistan started well with a target of 245 runs. However, Bangladesh returned to the match by removing Sediqullah Atal in the eighth over of the innings. The opportunity came shortly after.
Mustafizur Rahman's sudden leaping ball hit the edge of Gurbaz's bat and went into the hands of replacement fielder Rishad Hossain, who was at point. However, he could not jump forward and catch the ball. It slipped out of his hands.
Gurbaz had already assumed the dangerous form. He had hit Shariful for three sixes, counting on him. As if getting the 'life' of the service, he became more cautious and gradually led the team towards victory.
However, Bangladesh still gave Gurbaz one chance after another. The team wasted two 'half chances' of run-outs and one stumping opportunity. Gurbaz grabbed those opportunities with both hands.
There was a collapse in the Afghan innings. However, he managed to overcome that collapse by forming a partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai. Along the way, he scored the eighth century of his career. However, right after the century, Mehidy Hasan was caught on the boundary line while hitting Miraj for a six, Zakir Hasan made no mistake this time.
When he took the catch for 24 runs, according to Cricinfo, Bangladesh's chances of winning were close to 60 percent. When he returned after 101 runs off 120 balls with 5 fours and 7 sixes, the Afghans were the clear favorites in the match. The team needed 61 runs off 68 balls. Bangladesh's chances of winning were then down to around 20 percent.
That was a mathematical calculation. Miraj's team was actually knocked out of the match right then. Still, there was hope, if there was a 'miracle'! Nahid Rana also raised a hope for Gulbadin Naib, who was gasping for breath. However, the pair of Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai dashed all hopes and possibilities. Gurbaz's century partner Omarzai returned to the dressing room only after the match, while Mohammad Nabi played a brilliant cameo of 34 runs off 27 balls. With all this, Bangladesh was in the throes of a second consecutive series loss against the Afghans. Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bangladesh scored 244 runs on the back of Mahmudullah's 98 and Mehedi Hasan Miraj's 66. The question of whether Miraj, who scored 66 off 119 balls, could have been a little more aggressive was being raised during the first innings, as Mahmudullah was playing quite comfortably on the other side! The 'Gurbaz-Omarzai show' in the second half of the match proved that. The Afghans chased down the target set by Bangladesh with 8 balls in hand. In that, the old regret of 30-35 runs resurfaced once again. Along with this, it also started to feel like, alas! If only Miraj had been a little more aggressive!
