Afghanistan clinches series win over Bangladesh as Zadran and Rashid shine

When Ibrahim Zadran smashed 95 runs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on October 11, 2025, the Afghanistan national cricket team were on track for a decisive series win against the Bangladesh national cricket team. Rashid Khan ripped through the opposition with a five‑wicket haul, while Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with crucial overs. The match also saw a dramatic calf injury to veteran Rahmat Shah, who limped off in a wheelchair after a heroic, albeit brief, return to the crease.

Series Overview: Momentum Shifts in the UAE

Bangladesh arrived in the United Arab Emirates for a two‑match ODI series that formed part of their 2025‑26 tour itinerary. The first game in Dubai ended with Afghanistan chasing down 221 with five wickets in hand, thanks to half‑centuries from Rahmatullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah. That win set the tone, and the squad headed into the second match with confidence bubbling.

Zadran’s Anchor Innings: The 95‑Run Knock

Winning the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat first, a decision that paid off. Opening the innings, Hashmatullah Shahidi saw his early wicket fall, but Zadran walked in at 23/1 and steadied the ship. He paced the innings perfectly, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. By the 30th over, Afghanistan were 150/4, with Zadran on 71. He pushed his steady grind into a blistering 95‑run effort before falling just short of a century, leaving the total at a modest 190.

Rashid Khan’s Spell: A Five‑Wicket Masterclass

Bangladesh’s reply never showed any real fluency. Rashid Khan began his spell with an unplayable yorker on the third ball of his first over, triggering a nervous wobble in the Bangladeshi top order. His line‑and‑length was relentless – 7 overs, 1 maiden, 14 runs, and 3 wickets at one stage. He wrapped up with figures of 5 for 12, his sixth five‑wicket haul in ODIs, cementing his reputation as a spin wizard in the UAE. The wicket‑tally was complemented by an economical spell from Nangeyalia Kharote, who added 6 overs, 2 maidens, 16 runs, and a solitary wicket.

Rahmat Shah’s Injury: A Heart‑Wrenching Moment

The match’s emotional peak arrived when Rahmat Shah suffered a calf strain in the 15th over. He retired hurt but, showcasing Afghan grit, returned to the crease when the ninth wicket fell at 165. His attempt lasted a mere two balls before the pain forced him off the field – this time in a wheelchair. The incident sparked a brief pause in play, with medical staff confirming a grade‑2 muscle tear that will sideline him for the remainder of the series.

Bangladesh’s Tactical Shuffle: New Faces, Same Struggles

In an effort to reverse fortunes after the opening loss, Bangladesh dropped pace options Taskin Ahmed and Hassan Mahmud. They ushered in left‑arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman – the fan‑favorite known as “Fizz” – and leg‑spinner Rishad Hossain. The opening pair of Tanzid Hasan and Taijul Islam managed a shaky start, followed by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran Mahmudullah Riyad. Yet the middle and lower order never built a partnership beyond 20 runs, leaving Bangladesh stranded at 100/8 after 26 overs.

Impact Assessment: What This Means for Both Teams

Afghanistan’s triumph marks the first time the nation has clinched an ODI series on foreign soil against a Test‑playing nation. The victory also saw Rashid Khan become the first Afghan bowler to reach 200 international wickets, a milestone achieved amidst the series win. For Bangladesh, the loss underlines a deeper issue – an inability to negotiate spin‑heavy attacks on slower pitches. Their top order’s early collapses and lack of depth in the middle order have become recurring themes.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Fixtures and Player Recovery

Afghanistan will now turn its focus to an upcoming T20 International against the United Arab Emirates, where they aim to carry the momentum into the shorter format. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s coaching staff faces a selection dilemma: whether to persist with the new pace‑spin blend or revert to a more familiar lineup for the final ODI of the tour, scheduled for October 15, 2025, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Historical Context: Afghanistan’s Rise in International Cricket

Only a decade ago, Afghanistan was a peripheral associate nation, playing its first ODI against Scotland in 2009. Since then, the team has surged, qualifying for three consecutive World Cups and producing stars like Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nawroz Mangal. The current series adds another chapter to that narrative, highlighting how a mix of raw talent and disciplined coaching can challenge traditional cricketing powers.

• Afghanistan posted 190 all out, led by Zadran’s 95.
• Rashid Khan took 5 for 12, his sixth ODI five‑wicket haul.
• Bangladesh collapsed to 100/8, needing 91 runs from 24 overs.
• Rahmat Shah left the field in a wheelchair after a calf injury.
• Mustafizur Rahman debuted for Bangladesh but could not turn the tide.