AFG vs BAN Live Score Updates 2nd ODI: Afghanistan take on Bangladesh in the second ODI, hoping to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series in Sharjah. Teenage spinner Allah Ghazanfar took a career best six-wicket haul to dismantle Bangladesh in the first ODI as Afghanistan claimed a convincing 92-run win on Wednesday. The 18-year-old grabbed 6-26 in 6.3 overs as Bangladesh crumbled from 132-3 to 143 all out after being set a modest 236-run target. Mohammad Nabi hit 84 off 79 balls after captain Hashmatullah Shahidi made a sedate 52 for Afghanistan, who were dismissed for 235 in 49.4 overs having won the toss and batted first. (Live Scorecard)

Afghanistan cricket team spinner Allah Ghazanfar scripted history with a brilliant six-wicket haul to guide his side to a convincing 92-run victory over Bangladesh in the first ODI encounter in Sharjah on Wednesday. The 18-year-old finished with figures of 6 for 26 in 6.3 overs as Bangladesh went from 132/3 to 143 all out while chasing a target of 236 runs. These were the best bowling figures in an Afghanistan-Bangladesh ODI match, bettering Shakib Al Hasan‘s 5-29 at Southampton in 2019.

Ghazanfar started his cricketing journey as a fast bowler before former Afghanistan skipper Dawlat Ahmadzai turned him into a mystery spinner. He grabbed headlines with his brilliant showing during the 2024 U-19 World Cup where he finished with eight wickets in four matches.

That was enough to earn him a senior team call-up as he made his ODI debut against Ireland. He continued to impress and even won the Player of the Match award in the Emerging Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka A as Afghanistan went on to clinch the title.

The young spinner was also part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side that went on to win the IPL 2024 title. He was added to the squad as a replacement for Mujeeb Ur Rahman but did not play any matches for the franchise in the campaign.

“He is a special talent and has a good future for Afghanistan. He bowled well in the first spell, but he bowled that no-ball and I asked him why did he bowl a no-ball (laughs). I am very happy with the options we have on the bench,” said Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi on the young spinner.

Najmul Hossain rued Bangladesh’s batting slump and placed part of the blame on himself.

“I think my wicket turned the match,” said Najmul. “I was the set batsman so when I got out we needed to bat longer but credit to Afghanistan spinners for the way they bowled.”

(With AFP inputs)

Afghanistan vs South Africa, 3rd ODI LIVE Scorecard: Afghanistan are aiming to make it an unprecedented 3-0 series win over South Africa, after clinching the series win with a thumping 177-run win in the second ODI. In what is the first-ever bilateral ODI series between the two nations, Afghanistan have given an inexperienced South African side no respite, with two dominant performances. In particular, the rise of young spinners AM Ghazanfar and Nangeyalia Kharote has been a standout. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz will also be eyeing to equal the record of scoring the most centuries before the age of 22. (Live Scorecard)