2nd ODI Played at Sharjah, UAE on 9 November 2024 
Scorecard 
Bangladesh 252/7 in 50 Overs (Najmul Hasan Shanto 76, Zaker Ali Onik 37*, Soumya Sarkar 35, Nasum Ahmed 25, Tanzid Hasan Tamim 22, Mehidi Hasan Miraj 22, Nangeleyalia Kharote 3/28, Rashid Khan 2/32, AM Ghazanfar 2/35) 
Afghanistan 184 All Out in 43.3 Overs (Rahmat Shah 52, Sadiqullah Atol 39, Gulbuddin Naib 26, Nasum Ahmed 3/38, Mehidy Hasan Miraj 2/37. Mustafizur Rahman 2/37) 
Bangladesh Won the Match by 68 Runs
Player of the Match: Nazmul Hasan Shanto 

Playing brilliant all round cricket Bangladesh trounced Afghanistan by huge 68 runs in the second ODI at Sharjah yesterday. The 3 matches series ODI series is now levelled at 1-1. Bangladesh lost the first ODI by 92 runs.

The series deciding the 3rd ODI will be played at the same venue on 11 November 2024. Winning the toss and batting first Bangladesh scored impressive 252/7 in allotted overs. Brilliant bowling and sharp fielding by Bangladesh restricted Afghanistan to 184 all out. 
Bangladesh with its back to the wall had no other option to bouncing back for staying in the series. They looked very positive at the outset. Tanzid Tamim started in a whirlwind fashion belting a quickfire 22 of 17 deliveries before gifting away his wicket. But Soumya Sarkar uncharacteristically stayed cool. He put together a very solid 71 in the 2nd wicket partnership with his captain Nazmul Shanto. Soumya contributed 35. Shanto, playing at his best scored 76. He added 53 in the 3rd wicket partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraj promoted in the batting order. Bangladesh witnessed a mini collapse once again yesterday from 152/2 to 184/6 as the middle order crumbled again. But debutant Zaker Ali Onik ( 37* ) pairing with left arm spinner Nasum Ahmed ( 25) turned the tide producing a quickfire 46 in the 7th wicket partnership. Bangladesh could reach an impressive 252/7 in the allotted 50 overs.

Afghanistan started the chase disastrously losing their flamboyant opener Ramanullah Gurbaz to Taskin Ahmed yet again cheaply. But youngster Sadiquallh Atol batting superbly kept the scoreboard ticking. 2nd wicket partnership of 52 between him and Rahmat Shah kept Afghanistan in the hunt. Nasum Ahmed joining the team for the 2nd ODI after resolving the visa issue struck blow with his very first ball as Mehidy Miraj took a blinder of his bowling to remove dangerous looking Atol for 39.

Rahmat Shah kept going before getting unfortunately run out scoring 52. Bangladesh bowled brilliantly and fielded sharply to strangle Afghanistan. They could crumble to 184 all out as Bangladesh pacers and spinners made merry on a wicket assisting them a bit under flood light. Nasum enjoyed his return taking 3/38. Mehidy Miraj took 2/37 and Mustafizur also took 2/37. Bangladesh won by 68 runs. The series is now at 1-1 level. The 3rd ODI is however going to set the winner.

Bangladesh looked very positive from the very outset. The team passed through a very lean period in all formats of the game playing well below their usual self. This win may change. Bangladesh is not bad a team to stay in losing circle for indefinite period. However, Afghanistan will also leave nothing unturned to win the 3rd ODI and win the series at their home away from home. It is a great sign for the tourist as their captain Nazmul Shanto is back at his brilliant best with the bat. 

BDST: 0712 HRS, NOV 10, 2024
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