Afghanistan started their ODI campaign in Abu Dhabi with a composed five-wicket victory over Bangladesh, marking a strong comeback after their T20I defeat. Led by Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round brilliance and Rashid Khan’s spin dominance, the home side chased down 222 with ease. Omarzai’s three wickets set the tone, and his quick-fire 40 off 44 balls ensured Afghanistan reached 226/5 in 47.1 overs. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi remained unbeaten on 33, while veteran Mohammad Nabi sealed the win in style with a towering six.
Bangladesh, despite a 101-run stand between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tawhid Hridoy, collapsed from a strong 154/3 to 221 all out. Rashid’s triple strike broke the spine of their innings, and Omarzai’s early burst created relentless pressure. This victory not only gave Afghanistan a 1–0 series lead but also displayed the balance and maturity their side has developed in one-day cricket.
Omarzai’s All-Round Brilliance Defines Afghanistan’s Dominance
When Bangladesh opted to bat first, their innings began with hope but ended in hesitation. Early breakthroughs from Azmatullah Omarzai rattled the top order. His movement off the seam dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto cheaply. Later, he returned to remove Tanzim Sakib, finishing with figures of 3 for 40 in nine overs.
Rashid Khan, who reached the milestone of 200 ODI wickets, added to the pressure with a decisive middle-overs spell. His dismissals of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, and Nurul Hasan came at crucial intervals, halting Bangladesh’s recovery completely. The hosts were bowled out for 221 in 48.5 overs, a total that looked modest on the Abu Dhabi surface, to make the same mistakes as they did in the Indian timeline.
Omarzai then transitioned from destroyer to finisher. Walking in with Afghanistan at 136/4, he counterattacked confidently. His six boundaries and one towering six broke Bangladesh’s rhythm. The 59-run stand with Shahidi turned a balanced chase into a comfortable one. By the time he departed for 40, Afghanistan were already in command. His all-round effort earned him the Player of the Match award — a well-deserved recognition of his impact with both bat and ball.
Rashid Khan’s 200th Wicket and Unstoppable Control
Rashid Khan’s performance was more than just wickets — it was control. His 10-over spell cost only 38 runs and produced three key dismissals. The landmark of 200 ODI wickets added to his legend, making him the second-fastest spinner in history to reach that mark in just 115 matches.
His accuracy forced Bangladesh’s middle order into mistakes. Even set batters like Mehidy Hasan and Hridoy failed to pick his variations. It was Rashid’s spell that ensured Bangladesh never crossed the 250 mark.
Bangladesh Falters Despite a Promising Start
Bangladesh’s innings began brightly as Saif Hassan hit five early boundaries. But after his dismissal, the middle order stumbled. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tawhid Hridoy provided resistance with a solid 101-run stand, rebuilding from 25/3 to 126/3. Hridoy played confidently, rotating strike and hitting three sixes, while Mehidy anchored with 60 from 87 balls.
However, a mix-up between the pair led to Hridoy’s run-out, triggering a familiar collapse. Mehidy soon fell lbw to Rashid, and within four overs, Bangladesh lost four wickets. From 175/4, they slipped to 221 all out — their lower order undone by pressure and spin.
Bowling remains a concern for Bangladesh. Tanzim Hasan Sakib impressed with 3 for 31, but poor discipline from the rest allowed Afghanistan’s chase to progress smoothly. Captain Mehidy Hasan acknowledged post-match that early wickets cost them rhythm. “We lost too many early, then couldn’t build partnerships later,” he said.
Mehidy and Hridoy’s Partnership the Only Silver Lining
That 101-run stand was Bangladesh’s only moment of control. Both batters showed composure under pressure but lacked support from the rest. Their dismissals in quick succession exposed the lineup’s dependence on top-order stability. Without consistent partnerships, the innings lost momentum.
Calm Chase and Clinical Finish by Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s reply started confidently. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran added 52 for the first wicket, combining aggression and stability. Zadran’s early strokeplay set the tempo before falling stumped to Tanvir Islam. Gurbaz anchored the innings with a steady 50 off 76 balls, while Rahmat Shah matched him with an identical fifty off 70.
When both fell in quick succession, Bangladesh sensed an opening — but Omarzai’s entry shut the door. His quick scoring rate reduced pressure on Shahidi, who played the role of anchor to perfection. Nabi’s cameo of 11 not out, finishing with a six, added the final flourish as Afghanistan completed the chase in 47.1 overs.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi praised his team’s composure. “We stayed patient after the first few wickets. Omarzai’s intent and Rashid’s control made the difference,” he said.
Fitness and Fielding Fuel Afghanistan’s Progress
Afghanistan’s victory wasn’t just tactical — it was physical. Shahidi credited their improved fielding and fitness standards. The direct-hit run-out of Hridoy, sharp catching in the deep, and tighter running between wickets reflected the team’s focus on modernising their game. The captain’s words echoed belief: “We’ve worked hard off the field. It’s showing in how calm we stay under pressure.”
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI – Full Scorecard (Oct 8, 2025, Abu Dhabi)
Bangladesh Innings – 221 All Out (48.5 Overs)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saif Hassan | 26 | 37 | 5 | 0 | c Rashid Khan b Kharote |
| Tanzid Hasan | 10 | 10 | 2 | 0 | c Gurbaz b Omarzai |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | c Shahidi b Omarzai |
| Tawhid Hridoy | 56 | 85 | 1 | 3 | run out (Shahidi / Gurbaz) |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C) | 60 | 87 | 1 | 1 | lbw b Rashid Khan |
| Jaker Ali (WK) | 10 | 16 | 1 | 0 | lbw b Rashid Khan |
| Nurul Hasan | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | lbw b Rashid Khan |
| Tanzim Hasan Sakib | 17 | 23 | 0 | 1 | c Nabi b Omarzai |
| Hasan Mahmud | 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | c Zadran b Ghazanfar |
| Tanvir Islam | 11 | 8 | 1 | 1 | st Gurbaz b Ghazanfar |
| Taskin Ahmed | 4* | 1 | 1 | 0 | not out |
| Extras | 13 | (7w, 5lb, 1nb) | |||
| Total | 221/10 (48.5 Ov) | RR: 4.53 |
Fall of Wickets: 1-18, 2-25, 3-53, 4-154, 5-175, 6-178, 7-195, 8-205, 9-206, 10-221
Bowling – Afghanistan
| Bowler | O | M | R | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 9 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 0 | 38 | 3 |
| AM Ghazanfar | 9.5 | 1 | 55 | 2 |
| Nangeyalia Kharote | 10 | 1 | 32 | 1 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 6 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| Bashir Ahmad | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
Afghanistan Innings – 226/5 (47.1 Overs)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) | 50 | 76 | 1 | 1 | b Mehidy Hasan |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 23 | 25 | 4 | 0 | st Nurul Hasan b Tanvir Islam |
| Sediqullah Atal | 5 | 15 | 0 | 0 | c Tanzid Hasan b Tanzim Hasan |
| Rahmat Shah | 50 | 70 | 2 | 0 | c Mehidy Hasan b Tanzim Hasan |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (C) | 33* | 46 | 2 | 0 | not out |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 40 | 44 | 6 | 1 | c Tanvir Islam b Tanzim Hasan |
| Mohammad Nabi | 11* | 8 | 0 | 1 | not out |
| Rashid Khan | – | – | – | – | did not bat |
| Nangeyalia Kharote | – | – | – | – | did not bat |
| AM Ghazanfar | – | – | – | – | did not bat |
| Bashir Ahmad | – | – | – | – | did not bat |
| Extras | 14 | (8w, 6nb) | |||
| Total | 226/5 (47.1 Ov) | RR: 4.79 |
Fall of Wickets: 1-52, 2-58, 3-136, 4-136, 5-195
Bowling – Bangladesh
| Bowler | O | M | R | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 10 | 1 | 32 | 1 |
| Tanzim Hasan Sakib | 7 | 1 | 31 | 3 |
| Tanvir Islam | 10 | 0 | 42 | 1 |
| Hasan Mahmud | 8 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| Taskin Ahmed | 8 | 0 | 50 | 0 |
| Saif Hassan | 3.1 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Match Details
| Match | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI (3-match Series, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Date | 8 October 2025 |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Toss | Bangladesh elected to bat first |
| Result | Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets |
| Series Status | Afghanistan lead 1-0 |
| Player of the Match | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Umpires | Adrian Holdstock (SA), Ahmed Shah Pakteen (AFG) |
| TV Umpire | Akbar Ali (UAE) |
| Referee | Ranjan Madugalle |
| Next Match | 2nd ODI – Oct 11, 2025 (Same Venue) |
Key Highlights & Talking Points
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Performers (Bat) | Rahmat Shah 50 (70), Rahmanullah Gurbaz 50 (76) |
| Top Performer (All-Round) | Azmatullah Omarzai 40 (44) & 3/40 – Player of the Match |
| Top Performer (Ball) | Rashid Khan 3/38 (10 Overs) |
| Bangladesh Key Batter | Mehidy Hasan Miraz 60 (87), Tawhid Hridoy 56 (85) |
| Turning Point | Bangladesh collapsed from 175/4 to 221 all out |
| Game-Changer Moment | Omarzai’s double strike removed Shanto & Tanzid early |
| Bowling Impact | Rashid & Omarzai shared 6 wickets, choking middle overs |
| Afghanistan’s Strength | Middle-over control, sharp running, calm chase |
| Bangladesh’s Weakness | Lack of partnerships after 35th over |
| Fielding Impact | Shahidi’s direct hit run-out of Hridoy turned momentum |
| Pitch Behavior | Dry surface aiding spinners, moderate turn from 25th over |
| Next Focus | Bangladesh must improve shot selection under pressure |
| Series Outlook | Afghanistan 1–0 up, chance to seal series on Oct 11 |
Conclusion: A Balanced Afghanistan Looks Unstoppable
Afghanistan’s five-wicket victory wasn’t just a result — it was a statement. Their composure, balance, and improved fielding show how far this team has come. Omarzai’s fearless batting and incisive bowling gave them control, while Rashid Khan’s mastery turned the game. For Bangladesh, the top-order collapse remains their biggest concern.
With the second ODI coming up, Afghanistan hold the upper hand both in morale and strategy. If their top order continues firing and Rashid maintains his rhythm, they could wrap up the series in dominant fashion.
Afghanistan’s steady chase turned a tense start into control, led by half-centuries from Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The duo stabilised after early jitters before Omarzai sealed the deal with an all-round show. His spell of 3 for 40 dismantled Bangladesh’s top order, and his quick-fire 40 ensured Afghanistan crossed the line comfortably.
Bangladesh, despite Miraz and Hridoy’s fight, faltered under pressure. Too many soft dismissals and no late flourish cost them momentum. Afghanistan now lead 1–0 in the ODI series, carrying strong confidence into the next match in Abu Dhabi.
