Tigers roar to series victory

Inspired by batting brilliance from Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh secured a thumping 88-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI in Chattogram yesterday to seal the three-match ODI series 2-0 with a game in hand.

The win also saw the Tigers roar to the top of the ICC ODI Super League table. With 10 wins from 14 matches, Bangladesh now sit top of the Super League, which will determine qualification for the 50-over World Cup in 2023, above second-placed England. 

It was also Bangladesh's 11th win in the last 12 ODIs at home that also ensured the Tigers' sixth consecutive bilateral home ODI series victory.

The thumping win at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium was set in motion by a record 202-run third-wicket stand between Liton and Mushfiqur, helping Bangladesh post a mammoth 306 for four -- their highest total against Afghanistan in ODIs.

Liton smashed a 126-ball 136, his fifth ODI ton, while Mushfiqur scored a 93-ball 86. Liton also set the record for taking the least number of innings (49) to reach five ODI centuries among Bangladeshi batters. 

Their efforts were complemented by impressive bowling from Taskin Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan to bundle out Afghanistan for just 218 in 45.1 overs.

Chasing the mammoth target, Afghanistan lost three early wickets and were reeling at 34 for three after 9.1 overs. However, even though the visitors never seemed to be in total control of the game, they did raise hopes and kept themselves in the game as Najibullah Zadran and Rahmat Shah stitched together an 89-run fourth-wicket stand.

Just when the Afghans were starting to look a bit ominous, Taskin removed both Zadran (54 off 61) and Rahmat (52 off 71) in quick succession to once again sway the momentum towards the Tigers. Taskin finished with figures of two for 31 in 10 overs, two of which were maidens.

Shakib also impressed with ball in hand, returning figures of two for 38 in 10 overs.