Overview of BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2023

July 13, 2023, 09:47 AM
by Nafiz Tahmid

UNB News
Publish- July 13, 2023, 09:47 AM
Nafiz Tahmid
Update- July 13, 2023, 10:25 AM

Afghanistan won the ODI series over Bangladesh by 2-1 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. This remarkable victory not only marked Afghanistan's first-ever series win in Bangladesh but also brought an end to a rare winning streak held by the Tigers. The recent defeat against Afghanistan in the ODIs marked only the third time that the Bangladesh men's team has experienced a series loss at home since 2015.

Best Performers in the 2023 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI Series

Although the Afghans dominated the first two matches, Bangladesh got a big win in the last ODI. But, few players from both teams have contributed significantly throughout the series.

Table: Top performers in the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series

Player	Performance
Rahmanullah Gurbaz	173 runs
Ibrahim Zadran	142 runs
Litton Das	92 runs
Fazalhaq Farooqi	8 wickets
Shakib Al Hasan	4 wickets and 79 runs

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz's batting performance in the three-match ODI series was a mix of ups and downs. In the first ODI, he contributed with 22 runs from 44 balls, displaying a steady but conservative approach at the crease.

However, his true potential shone through in the second ODI, where he delivered a breathtaking batting display. Gurbaz blazed his way to a phenomenal knock of 145 runs from just 125 balls, including an impressive tally of 13 boundaries and 8 sixes. This remarkable innings demonstrated his ability to dominate the opposition and score runs at a rapid pace.

Unfortunately, in the third ODI, Gurbaz could not replicate his previous form and managed only 6 runs from 22 balls.

Ibrahim Zadran

In the first ODI, he played a patient innings, scoring an unbeaten 41 runs from 58 balls before rain interrupted the match, depriving him of further opportunities to showcase his skills. However, he made a significant impact in the second ODI, crafting a remarkable century. Zadran showed his class and consistency by scoring 100 runs from 119 balls, providing a solid foundation for his team's total.

Unfortunately, in the final ODI, he endured a brief stint at the crease, contributing just 1 run from 6 balls. However, his century in the second ODI was particularly noteworthy, showcasing his talent and potential as a valuable asset in the ODI format for Afghanistan.

Litton Das

Among all the Bangladeshi batters, Litton scored the highest runs combining three matches. His total score was 92 runs. In the first ODI, he played a brief innings, contributing a solid 26 runs from 35 deliveries.

The second innings was not good either; he scored 13 runs from 15 deliveries. However, it was in the third ODI where Das truly stood out, delivering an exceptional unbeaten knock of 53 runs from 60 deliveries. His innings played a vital role in guiding his team to victory, highlighting his temperament and skill in constructing an innings.

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Fazalhaq Farooqi displayed an impressive bowling performance throughout the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. In the first ODI, Farooqi made an immediate impact by bowling 8.4 overs and taking an impressive haul of 3 wickets. His economy rate of 2.76 highlighted his ability to restrict the opposition's scoring rate effectively. Later Farooqi continued his excellent form in the second ODI, too, bowling 7.2.

In the 3rd ODI, Farooqi once again proved to be a valuable asset to his team, as he picked up 2 wickets in his 5 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan

Although the overall performance of the team in the entire series was not up to expectations, Shakib Al Hasan was in perfect rhythm with the ball. This has also improved his ranking. Shakib took 4 wickets in 3 matches against Afghans. Among them, he took 1 wicket for just 9 runs in the first ODI, 2 for 50 runs in the second match, and 1 wicket for just 13 runs in 10 overs in the third match.

According to the latest rankings published on Wednesday, the left-arm spinner has climbed three places to the 10th position. His rating point is 618. Shakib also contributed 79 runs in three matches.

Overall Stats of 3 ODI Matches

Table: Overview of stats in the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series

Matches	Bangladesh	Afghanistan
1st ODI	169/9	83/2 Afghanistan won by 17 runs (DLS method)
2nd ODI	189/10	331/9 Afghanistan won by 142 runs
3rd ODI	129/3 Bangladesh won by 7 wickets (with 159 balls remaining)	126/10

Overall ODI Performance of Tigers in the Series Against Afghanistan

The overall performance of the Bangladesh cricket team in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan had its share of highs and lows. In the first ODI, Bangladesh's batting struggled as they lost wickets regularly and could only manage a total of 169 runs. Rain interruptions further hampered their progress, and the team couldn't put up a competitive fight. However, Towhid Hridoy's innings of 51 from 69 balls provided some stability amidst the batting collapse.

In the second ODI, Bangladesh once again faced a batting collapse, losing early wickets and finding themselves in a precarious position. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim attempted to save the innings, but their contributions were not enough to get a significant total. The team was eventually all out for 189 runs, with Mushfiqur Rahim's knock of 69 providing some hope.

In the third ODI, Bangladesh's bowling unit showcased their dominance as they restricted Afghanistan to a lowest total of 126 runs. Shoriful Islam's outstanding performance, taking four wickets for 21 runs, played a crucial role in dismantling the Afghan batting lineup. Shakib Al Hasan's economical bowling, conceding only 13 runs in his 10 overs, further boosted Bangladesh's dominance.

Overall ODI Performance of Afghanistan against Bangladesh

The overall performance of the Afghanistan cricket team in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh showcased some notable achievements as well as areas for improvement. Afghans showed their bowling skill in the first ODI while the rain stopped their batting innings. In the second ODI, Afghanistan's batting had a solid start, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran setting a record-breaking partnership of 256 runs, the highest for any wicket in Afghanistan's ODI history. However, the team faced a significant collapse after the openers were dismissed, losing 9 wickets for just 75 runs. Their final total of 331 runs for 9 wickets showcased their strong start but also highlighted a lack of stability in the middle and lower order.

In the third ODI, Afghanistan's batting faltered as they failed to capitalize on the strong start. The team put up a miserable batting performance, managing only 126 runs, the lowest team score against Bangladesh. Azmatullah Omarzai's innings of 56 runs was the only significant contribution, as other batsmen struggled to score. Fazalhaq Farooqi's bowling performance of two wickets stood out in an otherwise disappointing batting display.

Overall, while Afghanistan had moments of brilliance in their batting, particularly with the record-breaking partnership in the first ODI, they lacked consistency and stability throughout the series. The team will need to address their middle and lower-order batting concerns to ensure better overall performances in the future. Additionally, maintaining a balance between their batting and bowling strengths will be crucial for Afghanistan's success in upcoming tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup.

Final Words

Over the years, Bangladesh has established a tough record on their home turf, displaying remarkable dominance by clinching victories against renowned teams such as India, Pakistan, and South Africa. But, the 1-2 loss against the Afghans in the 2023 Ban vs AFG ODI Series has faded all those records of Bangladesh.