Latest News

Gurbaz, Zadran tons power Afghanistan to historic win

Published

3 years ago

2023/07/9

Priyan

Afghanistan's centurions put on a massive 256-run opening stand (pic Agencies)

Riding on a big batting effort followed by an all-round bowling show, Afghanistan took an unassailable 2-0 series lead over Bangladesh, thus registering their first ever ODI series win over them in the format. Afghanistan’s massive 142-run margin in the second ODI in Chattogram was their third biggest victory margin in the format in terms of runs.

The platform for the impressive win was set up pretty early in the game, when Afghanistan racked up an impressive total of 331/9, their third-highest ODI total, after being put in to bat. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (145 off 125) and Ibrahim Zadran (100 off 119) raised contrasting hundreds but formed two halves of a massive 256-run opening stand, the highest ever for Afghanistan. The effort set them up for a score in excess of 350 but Bangladesh made a strong comeback in the closing overs to keep their target down to only 332, which admittedly looked achievable at the halfway mark but one that Afghanistan’s new-ball bowlers put paid to pretty early in the chase.

For the visitors, it all started with a good powerplay upfront which saw the total an effortless 67 runs in the first 10 overs. Both batters scored more freely thereafter, with Gurbaz bringing up his 48-ball fifty by launching Shakib Al Hasan for a six over deep square leg. He reached his century, his third in ODIs, off 100 balls as Bangladesh looked out of clues to dislodge the opening stand.

It took a flat darter from Shakib to dismiss Gurbaz and put an end to the mammoth stand but not before the batter had smashed eight sixes and raised his highest ODI score. This, though, proved to the point from whereon Bangladesh made a strong return. Only 75 runs came in the last 14 overs as the bowlers kept chipping in with wickets. After Gurbaz fell, Ebadot Hossain followed up with the wicket Rahmat Shah in the next over and Mehidy Hasan then bowled Hashmatullah Shahidi in the over after. Regular wickets kept Afghanistan from getting away in the death overs even as Zadran brought up his fourth ODI hundred off 118 balls.

Zadran fell right after his milestone to Mustafzur Rahman who also picked up Azmatullah Omarzai later in the innings. Mohammad Nabi’s cameo of 25* off 15 took Afghanistan in excess of 330, a total that proved more than enough on the night.

Out to defend what felt a par target, Afghanistan got their lines and lengths right from the word go. Litton Das kicked off the chase with a couple of boundaries, even overturned an on-field lbw call but eventually fell to a short ball from Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, having kept things tight at the other end, then bowled Najmul Hossain Shanto before Farooqi added the wicket of Mohammad Naim, wrapping up a delightful powerplay for the visitors.

That’s when Rashid Khan joined the party, getting rid of Towhid Hridoy in his first over and then Afif Hossain in his next. Sandwiched between those two wickets was Mohammad Nabi’s lbw of Shakib, a crucial moment in the game.

The target looked way off from 72/6 but an 87-run stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy kept Afghanistan waiting. Mujeeb returned to pick Mehidy and break that stand, and added the wicket of Hasan Mahmud as Bangladesh went on to be bowled out for 189 inside 44 overs. Mujeeb and Fazalhaq finished with six wickets between them as Afghanistan secured a memorable win.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan 331/9 in 50 overs (Gurbaz 145, Zadran 100; Shakib 2-50) beat Bangladesh 189 all out in 43.2 overs (Mushfiqur 69; Farooqi 3-22, Mujeeb 3-40) by 142 runs

All News Advertisement

Up Next

Georgia Wareham provides star turn for Australia as Meg Lanning makes light work of chase

Don't Miss

Motie takes 13-for; West Indies clinch series

Click to comment

Latest News

Nepal election 2026: Counting continues with rapper Balendra Shah’s party close to super-majority

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/10

Priyan

[pic BBC]

Counting is continuing in Nepal as the party of rapper and ex-Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah is potentially just one seat away from winning a super-majority in parliament.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party‘s win would mark the first time in decades that a single party has won a majority in Nepal, which has a two-system format that makes it difficult for any one party to win outright

If the RSP secures a two-thirds majority, it would also be the first time in decades that a single party has achieved this

Latest News

Madagascar military leader dissolves government in surprise move

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/10

Priyan

Col Michael Randrianirina seized power last October in the wake of youth-led protests [BBC]

Madagascar’s military ruler Col Michael Randrianirina has dissolved the government unexpectedly, dismissing the prime minister and the entire cabinet, according to a statement from his spokesperson.

“The government has ceased its functions” it said, adding that Randrianirina will appoint a new prime minister “in line with the provisions stipulated by the constitution”.

No reason was given for the move.

Randrianirina seized power last October from Andry Rajoelina, following weeks of youth-led protests on the Indian Ocean island. Rajoelina had been elected president for a third term in a disputed poll in 2023.

The demonstrations were over persistent power and water shortages, culminating in the army siding with the demonstrators.

Randrianirina has pledged to call new elections within two years.

Last December, the regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), directed Madagascar’s military authorities to submit a roadmap for restoring democracy including plans for fresh elections by the end of February.

But in a surprise on Monday, Randrianirina sacked his entire government and assigned permanent secretaries to run ministries’ day-to-day operations until a new cabinet is formed.

Randrianirina has not explained the motivation for the mass sackings, but leaders of the Gen Z movement, whose grassroots mobilisation helped bring the military leader to power, have called for more inclusiveness in the transition process and greater representation in decision-making structures.

Activist groups, calling themselves Gen Z and Gen Y movements, had recently issued a 72-hour ultimatum for Randrianirina’s resignation, citing frustration with his performance, local media reported.

Businessman Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo had been appointed prime minister in October in an effort to bridge the divide between military leadership and civilian government.

The the Gen Z movement leaders rejected his appointment at the time, saying it was made in a “non-transparent” manner and “without consultation”.

The group demanded to know how Rajaonarivelo was selected given what it said were his connection to the previous government.

They then said that the decision “runs contrary to the desired structural change” the movement was seeking.

Monday’s dissolution of the government could mark a significant shift in the country’s political landscape with the military leader seeking to establish a new administration.

[BBC]

Latest News

ICC Board meetings in Doha called off due to West Asia conflict

Published

3 hours ago

2026/03/10

Priyan

Some ICC meetings will take place virtually over the next few weeks [Cricinfo]

The ICC Board and committee meetings scheduled for later this month in Doha have been called off due to the ongoing military conflict in West Asia. ESPNcricinfo understands that specific meetings, particularly those pertaining to the finance committee will take place virtually over the next few weeks. The possibility of in-person meetings in April remains open but much will depend on whether airspace has sufficiently re-opened for the board and committee members to fly safely.

The meetings were originally scheduled for March 25 to 27 and were due to include ICC Board Directors, Chief Executives, Committee members and ICC senior leadership. Three of the key issues up for discussion were global broadcasting rights ,with the deal between the ICC and *JioStar set to end in 2027, initial discussions over the next FTP and Olympic qualification for LA 2028. The second of those have already begun informally with several members approaching others as they make plans for cricket’s next four-year calendar.

This was the first time the ICC was due to meet in Qatar, which reports a cricketing participation growth rate of 447%. With limited flights to and from the country, hosting the meetings was deemed impossible at this time.

The crisis in West Asia has had an impact on scheduling too. The white-ball series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled to be held in the UAE from March 13 to 25, is likely to be postponed indefinitely.

[Cricinfo]