Bangladesh’s batting was once again in the limelight due to the approach taken by the whole unit in the just-concluded series against Afghanistan. The Tigers were missing a few key players in one match or another during the three-match ODI series, but overall it provided a chance to refresh the approach.

Although the ODI series against Afghanistan ended in disappointment for Bangladesh, as they suffered a five-wicket defeat in the third ODI and lost the three-match series 2-1, it marked a promising start in the 50-over format for the country’s newest pace sensation Nahid Rana.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan have traded places in the latest update of the ICC ODI rankings after the three-match ODI series between the sides with the Tigers slipping down one spot to number nine and the Afghans moving above them to number eight.

The 39-year-old played a massive part in ensuring Afghanistan clinched a 2-1 series triumph over Bangladesh in Sharjah on Monday as they registered a narrow five-wicket victory on the back of an eighth ODI century from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Bangladesh’s stand-in skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz hinted that dew might have played a big role in his team’s failure to defend their score of 244-8 in the third ODI against Afghanistan and concede the three-match series 2-1 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE yesterday.

In all likelihood, Miraz, named vice-captain, is set to captain the side in West Indies Tests, taking over duties from Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has been ruled out of the upcoming Tests due to a groin strain. Shanto, who was also unable to play yesterday due to that injury, talked about Miraz’s innings at the interval.

Afghanistan need 245 runs to win.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will not take part in the third and final ODI against Afghanistan today in Sharjah owing to a groin injury, confirmed a Bangladesh Cricket Board official.

Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in the series-deciding third and final ODI in Sharjah today in the absence of a few key players and their senior-most statesman Mahmudullah Riyad searching for runs.

"To be very honest I'm not happy. Probably I have to bat a bit longer because the wicket was difficult against spin," Shanto, who scored a 119-ball 76, said at the post-match presentation

The two teams will play the series decider on Monday.

Bangladesh will be hoping to avoid their second straight series defeat in ODIs against Afghanistan when they take on the opponents in the second match of the three-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE today.

Bangladesh’s weakness against quality bowling attacks once again came to the foray on Wednesday in the first ODI against Afghanistan, in which despite having the upper hand for the majority of the contest, they ended up losing by 92 runs in Sharjah.

Ghazanfar grabbed 6-26 in 6.3 overs as Bangladesh crumbled from 132-3 to 143 all out after being set a modest 236-run target.

The opening match of the three-match series, scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM (Bangladesh time), will be broadcast live on T Sports and GTV.

After a disastrous Test series against South Africa, Bangladesh are now bracing themselves for a new challenge, this time in the ODI format, when they take on an in-form Afghanistan in a three-match series scheduled to start in Sharjah on November 6.

“Playing against Bangladesh has always been challenging and full of joy. I believe the group of players selected for this series will perform exceptionally well and bring more glory to our nation,” said ACB CEO Naseeb Khan.

Aggression is what keeps fast bowlers ticking and when the left-arm paceman played the U-19 World Cup for Bangladesh there was plenty of that on view, especially in their triumph against India in the final.

The victory makes Afghanistan just the second team to win an ODI series in Bangladesh in the past seven years after world champions England. It was also Afghanistan's biggest win against Bangladesh in ODIs

“Look, obviously we all were shocked after the way Tamim bhai retired and it was unexpected for us. Since we had a break that day, we came for training the next day and we prepared individually for the game. But everyone felt bad after the incident. However, we planned for the game and prepared ourselves,” Miraz told the media after the game