When Rashid Khan, the leg‑spinner for the Afghanistan national cricket team, clinched the winning runs on Thursday, 8 October 2025, the first ODI of the three‑match seriesSheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, it sparked a rare upset over Bangladesh. The match, played under floodlights, saw Afghanistan chase down 222 with five wickets in hand, ending Bangladesh’s confidence‑boosting 3‑0 T20I sweep just days earlier.
Match Overview
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first. Their top order struggled, eking out just 51 runs in the first ten overs before Tanzid Hasan fell at 3.4 overs. By the end of the powerplay, Bangladesh were 50/2, but wickets kept tumbling – Najmul Hossain Shanto was out at 5.1 overs and Saif Hassan at 11.5 overs.
The fourth‑wicket partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 50 runs, but a crucial dismissal at 154/4 left Bangladesh at 65/3 at the drinks break. They managed a final total of 221, just short of the 222 target.
Bangladesh’s First Innings: A Faltering Start
Powerplay 1 (overs 0.1‑10.0) yielded 51 runs for two wickets, a modest platform. The middle overs saw Bangladesh add 126 runs but lose three more wickets, never building any partnership beyond 50. The last 20 overs produced 44 runs, a clear sign the pitch was offering turn and bounce that Afghanistan’s spinners exploited.
After a near‑miss review on Miraz’s dismissal – TV umpire Ahmed Shah Pakteen initially gave him out, only for the third umpire to overturn – Bangladesh retained a key all‑rounder. Still, without sustained batting depth, they fell short.
Afghanistan’s Chase: Spin Dominance and Milestones
Opening the chase, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran steadied the ship, reaching 50/0 in just 8.2 overs. The pair combined for 53 runs before the first wicket fell, setting a solid platform under the new ball.
The breakthrough came when Azmatullah Omarzai bowled a tight spell in the middle overs, snaring two wickets for just 19 runs. His spell, coupled with Rashid’s relentless accuracy, turned the game. Rashid, meanwhile, notched a historic milestone – becoming the second‑fastest spinner in ODI history to claim 200 wickets, a record previously held only by Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan.
With 166 runs required and five wickets in hand, Afghanistan’s lower order, led by Najibullah Zadran, chipped away at the target. The final over saw Rashid Khan seal the win with a boundary, confirming a 5‑wicket victory.
Reactions and What the Win Means
Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s head coach, praised his side: “Rashid and Omarzai’s control in the middle overs was the difference, especially on a pitch offering significant turn.” The win breaks Afghanistan’s losing streak against Bangladesh in limited‑overs cricket and marks their first bilateral ODI series victory over a Full Member nation since gaining ICC Full Membership in 2017.
Bangladesh’s board chief, Nizamuddin Chowdhury, admitted the defeat was a “wake‑up call” after the T20I sweep. He hinted that the side would regroup ahead of the second ODI, scheduled for 10 October 2025 at the same venue.
Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Naseeb Khan had said before the match that “this ODI series presents a crucial opportunity to rebuild momentum.” The result validates that sentiment.
Looking Ahead: The Rest of the Series
The second ODI, set for Saturday, 10 October, will see Bangladesh trying to bounce back, while Afghanistan will aim to extend the lead. Weather forecasts predict clear skies, with evening temperatures around 28 °C – conditions similar to Thursday’s match.
Beyond the series, the win boosts Afghanistan’s ICC ranking points and strengthens their case for more high‑profile fixtures on neutral soil. For Bangladesh, the loss underscores a need to adapt faster to turning tracks, especially as the sub‑continent prepares for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Afghanistan’s win affect their ICC ranking?
The victory adds valuable points to Afghanistan’s ODI rating, likely moving them up one to two places in the ICC table and improving their seeding for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
What milestone did Rashid Khan achieve?
Rashid became the second‑fastest spinner to reach 200 ODI wickets, overtaking most of his contemporaries and joining Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan as the only cricketers with that record pace.
Why was the match played in Abu Dhabi?
Security concerns in Afghanistan mean the team uses neutral venues. The UAE offers world‑class facilities and a climate suitable for October cricket, making it a regular host for both nations.
What were Bangladesh’s key moments in the innings?
The partnership between Towhid Hridoy (50 off 75) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (50 off 74) briefly steadied the chase, but early wickets and a faltering middle order prevented a competitive total.
What can Bangladesh do to recover in the series?
They need to adjust to the turn‑friendly pitch, possibly rotating their bowling attack sooner, and ensure deeper batting contributions beyond the top order to chase or set higher totals.
