[Watch] Azmatullah Omarzai hits a six to seal series win for Afghanistan in AFG vs BAN 2024 3rd ODI

Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai helped his side clinch the three-game ODI series against Bangladesh on Monday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The seam-bowling all-rounder struck a maximum off Shoriful Islam's bowling to carry their team to victory in the third ODI with five wickets in hand and ten deliveries to spare.

Bangladesh's stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had to step in due to an injury to Najmul Hossain Shanto, won the toss and elected to bat first.

Mehidy Hasan was one of the two batters to score half-centuries for the Tigers as he scored 66 off 119 balls. The spin-bowling all-rounder shared a marathon 145-run partnership with Mahmudullah, who top-scored with a run-a-ball 98. Bangladesh reached 244/8 in 50 overs.

For the Afghans, Rahmanullah Gurbaz held the innings together after Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, and Hashmatullah Shahidi perished cheaply. Gurbaz fell for 101, ending a 100-run partnership with Omarzai.

Omarzai (70* off 77) and Mohammad Nabi (34* off 27) ensured Afghanistan got over the line without any further hiccups.

"It was tough for me coming back from the two bad games" - Azmatullah Omarzai

Azmatullah Omarzai celebrates a wicket. (Credits: ACB Twitter)

The 24-year-old had dismissed Mehidy, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, and Nasum Ahmed in the first innings, recording figures of 7-0-37-4. After a match-winning knock in the second innings, Omarzai was named the Player of the Match.

The youngster suggested that he was confident about Afghanistan's chances as long as Gurbaz was there at the crease. He said at the post-match presentation:

"Firstly I want to thank Almighty Allah. It was tough for me coming back from the two bad games, but I was positive hitting the ball where I wanted to. Gurbaz was there, so I was confident, if I miss a few balls, I don't care as Gurbaz can cover. Whenever I get loose balls I go after it."

Mohammad Nabi earned the Player of the Series award. Afghanistan had won the first game of the series by 92 runs before Bangladesh recorded a 68-run victory in the second.