Tamim hundred paves way for Bangladesh series win

Bangladesh’s cricketers celebrate with the tournament trophy as they pose for a group photograph after victory in the third one day international(ODI) cricket match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan at The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 1October 2016 -AFP

Tamim Iqbal hit a sparkling century as Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by 141 runs in the third One-Day International to clinch the three-match series 2-1 in Dhaka on Saturday (October 1).

Tamim (118) helped Bangladesh reach 279 for 8, recording his seventh ODI century -- the highest for his country -- before the home side dismissed Afghanistan for 138 runs in 33.5 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Mosharraf Hossain then grabbed 3 for 24, playing his first match in more than eight years, while Taskin Ahmed chipped in with 2 for 31.

This was Bangladesh’s sixth consecutive series victory in ODIs. The winning streak started in November 2014 when it blanked Zimbabwe 5-0 at home. The purple patch also included three series wins against much-fancied Pakistan, India and South Africa. During the period, Bangladesh also reached the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup quarterfinal in Australia and New Zealand.

The victory in the third ODI was not assured until Bangladesh, who elected to bat first, got a commanding total for the first time in the series.

Tamim made the most of a dropped catch early in his innings to give Bangladesh the kind of platform they were looking for, but a flurry of wicket towards the end denied it a bigger total.

Asghar Stanikzai, the Afghanistan captain, missed a catch when Tamim had just opened his account and the left-hander never looked back, completing his century with a single off Dawlat Zadran. It was finally Naveen-ul-Haq, the substitute fielder, who took the catch at long-off off Mohammad Nabi to end the onslaught of Tamim, who hit 11 fours and two sixes.

Tamim received good support from Sabbir Rahman, who scored his career best 65 off 79 balls, as the two added 140 runs for the third wicket after the early dismissal of Soumya Sarkar (11).

Bangladesh looked on course to score 300+ when Tamim and Sabbir were at the crease, but it soon lost its way. Rashid Khan stopped the run flow, along with Nabi, with two crucial wickets and finished with 2 for 39. Mirwais Ashraf also played his part with 2 for 43. However, Mahmudullah staged a late recovery for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 32 from 22 balls.

Bangladesh will now host England in three-match ODI series starting on October 7.