Rahmanullah Gurbaz joins Sachin Tendulkar, Quinton de Kock in elite list

Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in the third ODI by five wickets to register a 2-1 series victory.

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat. Banking on half-centuries from Mahmudullah Riyad (98) and the stand-in skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz (66), the Bangla Tigers posted 244/8 runs in the first innings. Azmatullah Omarzai (4/37) was the pick of the bowlers.

Omarzai also reached the milestone of 50 wickets in international cricket.

In reply, the Afghans chased the target in the penultimate over.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the star of the batting lineup, managing to score his eighth ODI hundred for Afghanistan.

Gurbaz became only the third player after India's Sachin Tendulkar and South Africa's Quinton de Kock to score eight ODI hundreds before reaching 23.

He will turn 23 on November 28.

Omarzai backed up his 4/37 figures with an unbeaten 70 off 77 deliveries to take Afghanistan home. Mohammad Nabi (34 not out) provided the finishing touch.

Omarzai was awarded the Player of the Match for his all-round performance. This was his first award in international cricket.

The Player of the Series award went to Mohammad Nabi for scoring 135 runs at an impressive average of 67.50. He also took two wickets in the series with an economy rate of less than 4.5.

The 2-1 series win over Bangladesh is Afghanistan’s third successive ODI series victory this year. They first went past Ireland 2-0 in March, followed by their maiden 2-1 series victory over South Africa and now registering an incredible 2-1 win over Bangladesh.

Cricket, Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sachin Tendulkar, Quinton de Kock, Azmatullah Omarzai