CHITTAGONG: Afghanistan won the third ODI against Bangladesh by seven wickets in Chittagong on Monday, avoiding a series whitewash.

After Rashid Khan’s 3-37 helped the visitors bowl out Bangladesh for 192 runs in 46.5 overs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored an unbeaten 106 off 110 balls to lead Afghanistan to 193-3 in 40.1 overs.

“I am proud of the way the team came to the ground today with their heads up,” Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said.

In the first innings, Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan combined for 79 runs. Riaz was bowled for 35 by Shakib Al Hasan, but Gurbaz never allowed Bangladeshi bowlers to get momentum.

He hit seven fours and four sixes and scored precisely 100 runs for the second wicket with Rahmat Shah to help Afghanistan get close.

Mehidy Hasan broke the stand by stumping Rahmat for 47 and trapping Shahidi leg before for two runs in the next over, but it was too late, with Afghanistan just a few runs away from victory.

Gurbaz’s third century in nine ODIs came off 103 balls.

“I had some injury in the last game but I was completely fine today. We lost the series, but it was a strong comeback,” said player-of-the-match Gurbaz.

Earlier, Bangladeshi opener Liton Das top-scored with 86 runs after captain Tamim Iqbal won the toss and chose to bat first.

After Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed skipper Tamim Iqbal for 11 runs, Shakib Ali Hasan and Liton scored 61 runs for the second wicket.

After Shakib was out for 30 after dragging one onto his stumps off Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid rocked the home side with the wickets of Mushfiqur Rahim (seven) and Yasir Ali (one) in successive overs.

Liton’s innings was interrupted by Mohammad Nabi, who also took 2-29, as Gulbadin Naib made a brilliant catch at long-on.

Liton’s fourth ODI fifty came after he hit a century in the previous encounter, slamming seven boundaries in a 113-ball knock.

“We played well in the middle, but lost rhythm towards the end,” said Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal.

Bangladesh won the first two games of the series by four wickets and 88 runs, respectively.

On March 3 and 5, the visitors will face Bangladesh in two Twenty20 internationals at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

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