Bangladesh crash out of tri-series after Afghanistan defeat

Bangladesh crashed out of the ODI tri-series after suffering a crushing seven-wicket defeat to Afghanistan, whose comfortable victory secured their place in Friday’s final against Zimbabwe.

Needing to win by more than 40 runs to qualify on net run-rate, Bangladesh were bowled out for 160 in 41.2 overs after electing to bat first at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Afghanistan chased down the target with 87 balls to spare, reaching 161-3 in 35.3 overs, as captain Rahmat Shah led the way with an unbeaten 67.

The Afghans will face Zimbabwe in the final after already thrashing them by 158 runs in the group stage. Bangladesh, meanwhile, had also suffered a 99-run defeat against Zimbabwe.

Parvez Hossain Emon offered the main resistance for Bangladesh, scoring a career-best 70 in his first one-day international in more than a year. But his fighting innings could not prevent another batting collapse.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan claimed four wickets for 31 runs to dismantle the lower order, while fast bowler Yamin Ahmadzai struck twice in the second over to leave Bangladesh reeling.

Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim fell for one before Soumya Sarkar was dismissed for a duck on consecutive deliveries, both undone by loose shots.

Azmatullah Omarzai then removed Najmul Hossain Shanto for 15 and captain Towhid Hridoy for a duck in the space of three deliveries, reducing Bangladesh to 28-4 in the seventh over.

Emon, recalled to the squad after Liton Das was injured, attempted to rebuild alongside Saif Hassan, who provided valuable resistance amid the early collapse.

The pair added 93 runs for the fifth wicket before Saif fell for 41 while attempting an attacking shot against Mohammad Nabi.

Emon reached his second half-century in just his fourth ODI, striking five fours and two sixes to give Bangladesh hope of posting a competitive total.

But Rashid triggered another collapse, with Bangladesh losing their final five wickets for just 39 runs.

Despite the modest target, Bangladesh had a slim mathematical chance of defending their total by dismissing Afghanistan for fewer than 119 runs.

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed briefly raised hopes by removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for six with a sharp inswinger before dismissing Sediqullah Atal for four, leaving Afghanistan at 39-2 in the seventh over.

However, Bangladesh failed to capitalise on the early breakthroughs as Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam struggled to contain the chase.

Debutant mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam also went wicketless, conceding 47 runs in 8.3 overs.

Rahmat steadied the innings with a 56-run partnership with Ibrahim Zadran, who scored 34, before adding an unbeaten 66 with Hashmatullah Shahidi, who finished on 36.

The partnerships ensured Afghanistan reached their target comfortably and ended Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the final.

Taskin finished with two wickets for 36 runs, while Mustafizur claimed one for 32.