Afghanistan registered a clinical five-wicket victory in the first ODI of the Bangladesh series, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match assignment.
Match Details:
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Match: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 2nd ODI, Afghanistan v Bangladesh in UAE, 2025
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Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
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Date & Time: Saturday, October 11, 5:30 PM (IST)
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Broadcast: Eurosport Network
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Live Streaming: FanCode app and website (India), Rabbithole and T Sports app (Bangladesh), Ariana TV (Afghanistan), and ICC.tv (other regions)
Teams Overview
Afghanistan entered the ODI leg with a point to prove after losing the T20I series to Bangladesh. The team responded brilliantly, producing a clinical performance in the first ODI. Their batting was steady, anchored by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah, while their bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai, dismantled Bangladesh’s lineup. With the same venue hosting the second ODI, Afghanistan will be confident about sealing the series.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, started well in the T20 leg but struggled to adjust in the first ODI. Despite fifties from Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, their batting unit failed to convert starts into a big total. Bangladesh’s bowlers couldn’t maintain pressure, and their fielding errors cost them dearly. Skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz will be hoping his side bounces back strongly to keep the series alive.
Head to Head
In ODI cricket, both teams have faced each other 20 times. Bangladesh have won 11 matches, while Afghanistan have secured 9 victories. The contests between the two sides have often been close, with Afghanistan steadily narrowing the gap in recent years. Their last meeting on October 8, 2025, saw Afghanistan dominate with both bat and ball.
Key Players
Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan):
Omarzai’s all-round brilliance was on display in the first ODI, where he took three wickets and played a crucial 40-run knock during the chase. His ability to contribute in both departments makes him a key figure once again.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan):
The Afghan leg-spinner continues to be a match-winner. His three-wicket haul in the previous game dismantled Bangladesh’s middle order. On a turning pitch like Abu Dhabi’s, Rashid will remain a major threat.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan):
The wicketkeeper-batter scored a composed 50 in the first ODI. If he provides another solid start, Afghanistan could dominate early.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh):
The Bangladesh captain was one of the few positives in the first ODI, scoring a half-century and bowling economically. His leadership and all-round skills will be crucial to Bangladesh’s chances.
Taskin Ahmed (Bangladesh):
Taskin remains the spearhead of the pace attack. His ability to pick early wickets will be vital if Bangladesh aim to restrict Afghanistan under pressure.
Probable Playing XIs
Afghanistan:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Bashir Ahmad
Bangladesh:
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Nurul Hasan, Jaker Ali (wk), Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Captains for the Tour:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh)
Pitch Report
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi generally offers a balanced surface. Early on, pacers can find some movement with the new ball, while spinners dominate the middle overs. Batters need to spend time on the crease to score big, as rash shots can lead to collapses. Dew might play a role in the evening, making chasing slightly easier.
Probable Scenarios
If Bangladesh bat first again, they will aim for a score around 260–280 to stay competitive. Afghanistan’s spinners could once again play a major role in restricting the scoring rate. On the other hand, if Afghanistan bowl first, they will look to take early wickets through Omarzai and Rashid, putting pressure on Bangladesh’s middle order.
A lot will depend on how Bangladesh’s top order handles Afghanistan’s spin attack. If they fail to build partnerships, Afghanistan could quickly gain control. However, if Bangladesh manage early breakthroughs, the Afghan chase could get tricky, given their reliance on top-order stability.
Match Prediction
Afghanistan enter the second ODI with confidence and momentum. Their bowling attack looks sharper, and their batting has shown composure under pressure. Bangladesh will need a strong collective effort to level the series.
Prediction: Afghanistan are favorites to win and clinch the series 2–0, though Bangladesh’s resilience cannot be underestimated, especially if Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy perform with the bat.