All-round Afghanistan seals thrilling last-over win

Asghar Stanikzai, the Afghanistan captain, led from the front with a steely 57 as his side emerged victorious against Bangladesh by a two-wicket margin in the second One-Day International to level the three-match series 1-1 in Dhaka on Wednesday (September 28).

The bowlers set up the win for Afghanistan as Rashid Khan, the legspinner, took 3 for 35 and Mohammad Nabi claimed 2 for 16 to help the visiting side dismiss Bangladesh for 208 on a slow pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Nabi then showed his all-round skill scoring 49 and putting on 107 runs with Stanikzai for the fifth wicket as Afghanistan recovered from 63 for 4 to reach 212 for 8, completing its second win against Bangladesh in four matches. Stanikzai hit four fours and two sixes in his 95 balls.

Defending a small total, Shakib Al Hasan gave Bangladesh some hope with three early wickets before finishing with 4 for 47, but Nabi and Stanikzai stood firm to put Afghanistan in a strong position.

Mashrafe Mortaza trapped Nabi leg before to end their partnership before Mosaddek Hossain, the debutant who claimed 2 for 30, including one off his first ball, removed Stanikzai.

But Najibullah Zadran made 22 and other lower-order batsmen gave him valuable support to see Afghanistan home, setting the third and final match on October 1 as the series decider.

Earlier, Bangladesh was able to go past the 200-run mark owing to an unbeaten 45 from Mosaddek, who shared 43 runs with Rubel Hossain in the last-wicket partnership.

Put into bat first, Bangladesh, who was looking for its 100th ODI win and to wrap-up the series after winning in the first game by seven runs, made a cautious start with the opening pair fetching 45 runs. Mirwais Ashraf, who claimed 2 for 23, removed both Tamim Iqbal (20) and Soumya Sarkar (20) before Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad revived the innings, adding 61 runs for the third wicket.

Afghanistan's spinners took control of the proceedings once Naveen-ul-Haq bowled Mahmudullah for 25. Rahim, who scored 38, soon followed Mahmudullah attempting his favourite slog-sweep as Naveen took the catch at deep square-leg off Shah. Nabi trapped Shakib leg before for 17 before Rashid dismantled the lower order.

Please click here to review the match in full in the ICC Match Centre.