By Sports Desk : 02 October 2016
A sparkling century from Tamim Iqbal and an imperious show from the bowlers have propelled Bangladesh to a huge 141-run win over Afghanistan for a sixth successive series win. With the series against England just days away, the dominating win will lift the Tigers' spirits as they sealed their 100th ODI victory.
A middle-order stutter prevented Bangladesh from capitalising on a strong platform provided by Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman, and they finished at 279 for 8 after electing to bat in the series-deciding ODI against Afghanistan. Mahmudullah came to their rescue in the end overs with a cameo of 32 and Afghanistan will now have to achieve their highest-successful ODI chase to win the series.
Tamim scored his seventh century – a run-a-ball 118 – to record the most tons by a Bangladesh batsman in ODIs, and put together 140 runs for the second wicket with Sabbir, who struck his third half-century. They capitalized on Afghanistan's poor performance in the field. Their poor fielding started early. In the third over, Asghar Stanikzai, the Afghanistan captain, put down a sitter to reprieve Tamim on 1. Overthrows, misfields and run-out opportunities were a regular feature thereon.
That Bangladesh did not post at least 300 was largely due to Rashid Khan's incision in the end overs. He sent back Mushfiqur Rahim and Mossadek Hossain in the space of four deliveries to finish with 2 for 39 off 10 overs.
