AFG vs BAN | Omarzai stars with bat and ball to take Afghanistan 1-0 in ODI series

The chase began in stylish fashion as Ibrahim Zadran lathered two drives through the covers early on, setting the tempo for an exquisite half-century stand wth Rahmanullah Gurbaz within nine overs. However, a Tanvir Islam ripper and sharp glovework from Nurul Hasan ensured Zadran could not capitalize on the start as he walked away for 23 in the last over of the powerplay, with the score 53/1. His T20I opening partner Sediqullah Atal lasted just 15 deliveries before edging a Tanzim Hasan Sakib as the visitors instigated a slump themselves, allowing the Afghans just 27 runs between overs 10 and 20. However, their rivals had the advantage of wickets in hand and knowing the target, which allowed Rahmat Shah and Gurbaz to bide their time before picking up the scoring rate just enough with better rotation of strike. The next 10 overs brought 55 runs despite featuring just two boundaries, with Rahmat and Gurbaz both bringing up fifties off 69 and 74 balls respectively. The partnership had bloomed to 77 and looked primed to rattle off the remaining 87 in the final 20 overs when the Tigers broke through with two wickets in as many overs to bring themselves racing back into the contest. Omarzai had an LBW decision overturned soon after as the momentum lay in the Tigers' hands, but the youngster dug in with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi to restore some stability before letting loose with a four and six in the 40th over just when the required rate was threatening to go over run-a-ball. Shahidi joined the party with a boundary the next over before Omarzai practically sealled proceedings with a hattrick of boundaries in the 43rd, his dismissal for a 44-ball 40 two balls later leaving the team just 27 to get in seven overs. Shahidi and Nabi ensured there were no further hiccups as the latter finished the game off with a maximum in the 48th over, securing a clinical victory in the first of three ODIs.