Allah Ghazanfar's sensational spell decimates Bangladesh as Afghanistan seal victory

Bangladesh were on track to chase down their target of 236 runs with ease, thanks to a solid partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. However, the momentum shifted when Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi handed the ball to Allah Ghazanfar. Despite his unassuming first spell of four overs, where he only picked up one wicket for 21 runs, Ghazanfar has a reputation for turning matches around quickly. Indeed, on Wednesday night, Ghazanfar lived up to his reputation in spectacular fashion. Within a matter of overs, he completely changed the course of the game, leaving the Bangladeshi batsmen struggling to cope with his spin bowling prowess.

The 18-year-old grabbed 6-26 - his career best in this format - in 6.3 overs.

Mohammad Nabi hit 84 off 79 balls after captain Hashmatullah Shahidi made a sedate 52 for Afghanistan, who were dismissed for 235 in 49.4 overs having won the toss and batted first.

Ghazanfar, playing in his sixth ODI, triggered a Bangladesh collapse after skipper Najmul Hossain (47) and Mehidy Hasan (28) had put Bangladesh on track for a successful chase.

Opener Soumya Sarkar also made 33 before the wheels came off for Bangladesh.

Once Nabi dismissed Najmul, Ghazanfar came into his own in his fifth over. He removed Mehidy when he got a top edge trying to sweep in the fourth ball of the over. Ghazanfar then claimed three more wickets in his next over.

He had Mushfiqur Rahim stumped and trapped Rishad Hossain lbw, both for one, before bowling Taskin Ahmed for a first-ball duck.

Ghazanfar wrapped up the match with the wicket of Shoriful Islam, registering the best figures in all Bangladesh-Afghanistan ODIs, bettering Shakib Al Hasan's 5-29 at Southampton in 2019.

"He (Allah Ghazanfar) is a passionate youngster who always wants to do well,. He's a special talent who will win matches for Afghanistan," said Shahidi. "When I was batting with Nabi we thought a 230-plus total would be enough with our bowling."

Najmul rued Bangladesh's batting slump and placed part of the blame on himself.

"I think my wicket turned the match," said Najmul. "I was the set batsman so when I got out we needed to bat longer but credit to Afghanistan spinners for the way they bowled."

Afghanistan were themselves in trouble at 35-4 before Nabi and Shahidi put on an innings-repairing 104 runs for the sixth wicket to lift the team to a fighting total.

Bangladesh's pace duo of Taskin and Mustafizur Rahman both took four wickets each.

The remaining matches are on November 9 and 11, also in Sharjah.