Left-handed batter Afif Hossain scored 72 after a disastrous start by Bangladeshi top-order in the second ODI of the three-match series against South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. But the openers failed to set a solid foundation against the quality bowling attack of the hosts. Also read: Tigers now eye series victory against South Africa Bangladesh had lost five wickets before posting 50 runs on the board. Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Ali failed to settle in the crease. Tamim, Shakib and Yasir fell for 1, 0 and 2 respectively. In the sixth wicket stand, Mahmudullah Riyad and Afif Hossain added 60 runs. This partnership was broken by Tabraiz Shamsi when Mahmudullah was caught by Janneman Malan for 25. On the seventh wicket, Afif and Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 86 runs on the board. Along the way, Afif scored 72 runs. Afif fell prey to Temba Bavuma in the 46th over. In the same over, Mehidy fell to the same bowler for 38. Eventually, Bangladesh ended up on 194 for nine in 50 overs. Also read: Unchanged Bangladesh opt to bat first For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada bagged five wickets conceding 39 in 10 overs. Bangladesh won the first match of the series by 38 runs, which was their first win in South Africa.

Bangladesh will go all-out to win the second ODI against Afghanistan on Friday and take the three-match series 2-0, said the team’s head coach Russell Domingo. The match will be played Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, where the Tigers stunned the visitors with a four-wicket victory after a great fight-back by Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The duo orchestrated a 174-run stand between them to guide the Tigers to a historic win. The Tigers chased down a moderate target of 216 which had become harder after losing six wickets in just 45 runs. In that match, Bangladesh conceded 18 extra runs with 13 wides. Domingo said it’s the point where Bangladesh need to focus more and improve further. Also read: Series win against New Zealand to inspire future Tigers: Domingo “It was a great match, but tomorrow is more important than yesterday,” the Bangladesh coach said on Thursday. “We conceded 13 wides, we missed a catch and we lost six wickets in just 45 runs in the previous match. So we have to improve further. We have to play good cricket,” he said. Bangladesh players came to this series after the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). They expected an easy win in the series opener which did not really happen despite showing some good bowling after being sent to bowl first. Led by Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh restricted Afghanistan to 215 in 49.1 overs. But the batters failed to have a good start. They lost too many wickets to Fazalhaq Farooqi, a left-arm pacer. The hosts lost six wickets in just 45 runs. “It may sound unbelievable, but it was true that I had kept hope alive ,” Domingo recalled the moment Bangladesh lost the sixth wicket in just 45 runs. “Mehidy has a Test century and also played very well in BPL, and Afif is a cool-headed batter. So we thought it’s still possible if this two stay steady and play without added pressure.” Bangladesh coach said the belief got stronger when Bangladesh needed 60 runs to win as the Afghanistan team was lacking more options in their bowling side and the wicket was behaving like a familiar one. Also read: We didn't expect a win after losing six wickets early: Tamim In his seven previous matches, Afif had only a fifty. But he has always been considered a batter who can keep the scoreboard afloat in any situation of the match, and the southpaw proved it in a crucial time. “I want Afif to continue batting at number seven,” Domingo said when he was asked if he thinks to change the batting position of Afif. “We have a genuine wicketkeeper who bats at the top of the order, and we also have a genuine spinner who also bats there. In this situation, Aiff is the best choice to bat at number seven, and we are not thinking to change his position now.” Afghanistan’s premium spinner Rashid Khan was the main threat to Bangladesh batters, and along with him, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was also a big challenge for the hosts' batters. But in the end, they were overshadowed by the young pacer Farooqi. Bangladesh coach did not hesitate to praise Farooqi for his wonderful spell. He said the Bangladesh batters should play him carefully in the next matches. “He was outstanding in the first match. Those deliveries that dismissed Liton (Das), Mushfiqur (Rahim) and Yasir (Al) were so good. Our batters need to play him well.” This series is a part of the World Cup Super League. Bangladesh played 13 matches so far in this league and won nine of them. If the Tigers win the next match, they will be at the top of the table with 10 wins surpassing England who have nine wins from 15 matches so far.

Bangladesh lost the toss in the second ODI of the three-match series against Zimbabwe, and they will bowl first on Sunday at the Harare Sports Club.  Bangladesh field an unchanged XI from the first match.  Read:Mustafiz uncertain for Zimbabwe ODI series decider Mustafizur Rahman, the injured pacer, is out of the playing XI once again. He got a blow on his ankle in the lone practice match prior to the series.  Bangladesh won the series opener by a big margin of 155 runs, riding on the fourth ODI hundred by Liton Das. Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz have also done well with the bat.  Read:Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe 2021: Three Reasons Behind Tigers Thumping Win in the First ODI In reply to Bangladesh’s 276, Zimbabwe tumbled for 121 despite a fifty by Regis Chakabva. Bangladesh’s premium spinner Shakib Al Hasan bagged five wickets for 30 runs to guide the Tigers to an emphatic win.  So the second match came as a chance to seal the series for the Tigers.  This series is a part of the World Cup Super League. The top seven teams of this event along with the shots, India, will qualify directly to the World Cup 2023.  Read:Shakib bags five as Bangladesh register emphatic win vs Zimbabwe Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal(c), Liton Das(w), Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Regis Chakabva(w), Brendan Taylor(c), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, Wesley Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in the second ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.  The hosts made two changes to the playing XI of the last game. Taskin Ahmed has been overlooked to pave a way for the left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam. It’ll be marked as his first ODI.  Mosaddek Hossain also got a chance in playing XI. Mohammad Mithun, who suffered a duck in the last game, has been axed.  Shoriful played two T20Is and one test earlier and bagged two and one wickets respectively. Mosaddek, on the other hand, got into the ODI playing XI for the first time since July 2019. He represented the Tigers in 35 ODIs and scored 549 runs with two fifties. Read:Ban v SL: Tigers eye historic series win over Lions Bangladesh now have a good chance to win this ODI series against Sri Lanka. They have never won a series against the Lions.  Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal (c), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera(w/c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashen Bandara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera  

Liton Das smashed his second ODI hundred to propel Bangladesh to 321 for six in 50 overs in the first game of the three-match series against Zimbabwe at Sylhet International Stadium on Sunday.