Afghanistan move to fourth in ODI rankings after big win over Bangladesh

Afghanistan have moved up to No.4 in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League table after their crushing seven-wicket victory over hosts Bangladesh in the third and final One-Day International here.

Though Bangladesh had clinched the series before the third ODI, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead, Afghanistan, thanks to the win in the final ODI, are now on 70 points, just nine short of India, who are at No.3.

Bangladesh continue to lead the table with 100 points, while England are second on 95.

In the final ODI, Afghanistan, after bowling out Bangladesh for 192, chased down the total effortlessly with 59 balls to spare.

Afghanistan's openers got off to a terrific start, displaying good form and picking boundaries right from the start of their innings. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (106 not out) and Riaz Hassan (35) added 57 runs in the first 10 overs and continued to carry on the momentum forward on Monday night.

Bangladesh knew they needed to do something special to defend the total, so they brought in the spinners early. Although the plan didn't work at the start, Shakib Al Hasan managed to break the 79-run opening partnership in the 16th over, stumping out Riaz Hassan for 35.

Gurbaz was joined in the middle by Rahmat Shah, and the two continued to play sensibly, laying the foundation for an easy run chase. Gurbaz, who was lucky to get three lifelines, made full use of the reprieves as he got to his third ODI century.

Both the batters approached the target with the right mindset and picked boundaries at the right time. While Gurbaz slowly approached his third century, the handy knock of 67-ball 47 from Rahmat Shah came to an end in the 36th over when Mehidy Hasan Miraz got the better of him.

Mehidy got another in his very next over, dismissing Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (2) after he had survived a leg-before wicket appeal off the previous delivery.

However, Gurbaz soon brought up his century in the 39th over, finishing the chase in 40.1 overs and taking the last ODI by seven wickets.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 192 in 46.5 overs (Litton Das 86, Shakib Al Hasan 30; Rashid Khan 3/37) lost to Afghanistan 193/3 in 40.1 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 106 not out, Riaz Hassan 35, Rahmat Shah 47) by seven wickets.

--IANS

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