Bangladesh will be hoping to carry on their winning momentum when they face Afghanistan in the third and final ODI in a bid to win the series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.聽
The match will begin at 4:00pm Bangladesh Standard Time and T Sports and Nagorik TV will televise the match live.
Bangladesh suffered a 92-run defeat to Afghanistan in the first match after losing eight wickets for 23 runs but levelled the series with a 68-run victory in the second game, making the third match a deciding one.
Saturday鈥檚 win also marked the Tigers maiden victory at Sharjah, having played their first game here in 1990.聽
The team, which had struggled with batting consistency earlier, saw crucial contributions from key players that strengthened their innings and stifled the Afghans.聽
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a vital 76, while Nasum Ahmed showcased his all-round brilliance on his return to the ODI fold after the 2023 World Cup with 25 runs and three wickets, helping the Tigers break an eight-match losing streak across all formats.聽
A resurgent bowling attack, featuring Nasum (3-28), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2-37), and Mustafizur Rahman (2-37), restricted Afghanistan to 184 in their chase of 253.
Following the win, captain Shanto stated the importance of winning the series to avoid a third consecutive series defeat after back-to-back losses to India and South Africa.聽
鈥榃inning the series is crucial, but I believe that if we focus on the process rather than the results, trust in our plan, and support one another then we will succeed in winning the series,鈥� said Shanto.
鈥榃e were going through a very difficult time. Playing cricket is all about momentum. We were waiting for the momentum but struggled to get it.
鈥楤ut we were able to implement our plan and play accordingly in the match [2nd ODI]. Everyone tried to give their 100 per cent. However, there is still room for improvement,鈥� he added.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim was ruled out in the middle of the series due to a finger injury that he sustained in the first ODI, while Liton Das was already sidelined with a fever.聽
Shanto acknowledged that the team needs to adapt and contribute in the absence of senior players.聽
聽鈥楾he senior players may not always be available, so we need to gradually adapt to this situation. Their experience certainly provides an advantage in the dressing room. However, it鈥檚 time for us to step up and contribute to the team.鈥�
Shanto remained confident that if they can deliver as a team, they can win in any situation.
鈥業 don鈥簍 place my faith in the outcomes; instead, I prioritise the right process and the commitment of our players on the field. If we give our all and adhere to the process, I am confident we will win the majority of our matches,鈥� he added.
Bangladesh had a perfect record against Afghanistan in bilateral ODI series until July last year, when they lost to the Afghans 2-1 in Chattogram.
The series defeat in fact initiated a lean period for Bangladesh in what is widely accepted as their strongest format.
A victory in the final match, however, would help Bangladesh to avoid a second straight bilateral series defeat to Afghanistan.
Bangladesh are unlikely to tinker with the squad after securing a victory, which was imperative given the off-field turbulence of late.
