INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran both scored centuries as Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by 142 runs on Saturday to seal their
three-match one-day international series.Afghanistan&s openers laid the foundation for a mammoth total of 331-9 in Chittagong with their
256-run stand, a record ODI partnership for the tourists, AFP reported.&Obviously very happy with how it&s going, the way they played the
shots,& Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott told reporters.&We were going to bat first as well, having looked at the weather… The way they
played, it&s natural.&Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed 3-22 and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 3-40 as Afghanistan bowled out Bangladesh for 189 in the 44th
over.The victory makes Afghanistan just the second team to win an ODI series in Bangladesh in the past seven years after world champions
England.Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored for the hosts with 69 in a lonesome battle for the hosts after they were reduced to 72-6, with some
support from Mehidy Hasan in a 87-run partnership for the seventh wicket.Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Mehidy for 25, leaving Mushfiqur too
much to do.Mushfiqur holed out to Mujeeb at deep square leg off Farooqi, ending the contest with last man Ebadot Hossain unable to
bat.Bangladesh, who lost the first match by 17 runs on Wednesday, had opted to bowl first after stand-in skipper Litton Das won the toss.The
hosts struggled to make breakthroughs on a green surface and by the time Shakib Al Hasan had Gurbaz leg-before, Afghanistan were already
closing in on their previous best score against Bangladesh of 306-4.Gurbaz, who scored his fourth ODI ton, smashed 145 from 125 balls,
hitting 13 fours and eight sixes.A few other quick wickets followed as Ebadot dismissed Rahmat Shah (two), while Mehidy removed Hashmatullah
Shahidi (two) and Najibullah Zadran (10).Shakib, Mehidy, Mustafizur and Hasan Mahmud each claimed two wickets for Bangladesh.Ibrahim fell to
Mustafizur for an even 100 from 119 deliveries.The third and final match of the series will be held at the same ground on July 11.The post
Gurbaz, Zadran tons power Afghanistan to 142-run win over Bangladesh first appeared on Ariana News.
