Mahmudullah hit a superb run-a-ball 98 to rescue Bangladesh from a precarious position of 72-4 to lift them to 244-8 in the series-deciding third ODI against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.聽
Mahmudullah, who was battling with injury throughout the innings, needed three runs to reach his fifth ton in ODIs in the last delivery of the innings. But he was run out when trying to complete the double after surviving earlier.聽
It was for the first time in his 235-match career that the 38-year-old was dismissed on nervous nineties. But his innings, which comprised of seven fours and three sixes, had class written all over it.聽
The veteran came to the crease with scores of 3, 2, 1, and 0 in his previous four innings and when four quick wickets jolted the solid start of Bangladesh as the Tigers went from 53-0 to 72-4 in space of 32 deliveries.聽
But with the company of the stand-in captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahmudullah rebuilt Bangladesh鈥檚 innings and then put them in a commanding position.聽
Mehidy, who was captaining the side in the absence of injured Najmul Hossain Shanto, scored 66 off 119 balls. The all-rounder, playing in his 100th ODI, needed 106 balls to reach his fifty, the slowest by a Bangladeshi batter in terms of balls.聽
But he complemented Mahmudullah 鈥� who was more instrumental; together they added a record 145 runs in the fifth wicket from 188 balls. This is now the fourth highest for the fifth wicket for Bangladesh against any opposition.聽
The duo saw out the middle overs and safely negotiated the spin-threat that Afghanistan had. They were cautious against Mohammad Nabi (1-37), Rashid Khan (1-40), and Nangeyalia Kharote (0-35).聽
But they attacked the two pacers, Azmatullah Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi, along with the other spinner, Allah Ghazanfar. From their combined 21 overs, Bangladesh scored 127 runs.聽
Omarzai, though, struck four times. It was him who brought the first breakthrough for Afghanistan after Bangladesh opted to bat first for the second consecutive time in the series after winning the toss.聽
Soumya Sarkar again threw his wicket away after getting a good start. This time he dragged on an Omarzai delivery into the stumps after scoring 24 off 23.
His opening partner Tanzid Hasan followed him in the next over as the left hander was caught at cover-point off Nabi.聽
Bangladesh found them in further trouble as Zakir Hasan, who was playing his first ODI after more than a year, was run out.
Rashid then saw the back of Towhid Hridoy as he was caught at slip.聽
