Bangladesh failed to inflict a whitewash on Afghanistan, largely due to opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz who struck a brilliant 106 not out to help the visitors win the third and final ODI by seven wickets at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here today.

Gurbaz who now converted all of his three half-centuries to century in his just ninth game, not only denied Bangladesh a clean sweep of the series but also snatched 10 valuable Super League points.

Bangladesh won the first game by four wickets, recovering from 45-6 and then clinched the series with an 88-run win in the second game.

But it was more of a Bangladesh batting failure in the third game which saw them being skittled out for just 192 in 46.5 overs. Afghanistan made the victory a cake-walk, racing to the winning mark with 59 balls remaining.

Gurbaz, who smote seven fours and four sixes for his unbeaten 110 ball-106 runs knock was ably supported by his fellow opener Riaz Hasan and Rahmat Shah. With the duo, he shared two important partnerships to edge the side closer to the victory.

He and Riaz gave Afghanistan a solid start, combining for a 79-run for the opening stand before left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan had the latter stumped to break through.

Gurbaz then added another 100 with Rahmat Shah for the second wicket stand.

Off Spinner Mehidy Hasan, who finished with 2-37, struck twice, dismissing Shah to bring the end of the partnership and then took the wicket of Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahihi

Gurbaz brought up his century off 103 balls, pushing pacer Mustafizur Rahman through cover for doubles and soon after that fittingly finished the game with a single off Mehidy towards square leg.

Earlier, despite a valiant effort of Liton Das, Bangladesh were shot out for a paltry total.

Liton Das was the only batter to resist against a top-class bowling of Afghanistan, led by leg spinner Rashid Khan who claimed 3-37 and was ably supported by Mohammad Nabi’s 2-29.

Liton struck 113 ball-86, clobbering seven boundaries. Shakib Al Hasan added 30 and Mahmudullah Riyad was not out on 29. Tamim captain Tamim Iqbal with 11 was the other one to reach double digits.

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After opting to bat first, Bangladesh lost captain Tamim Iqbal, who was for the third consecutive time victimized by pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Liton and Shakib then shared 61-run, the highest partnership of the innings, for the second wicket stand.

Pacer Azmatullah Omarzai broke the partnership, removing Shakib, who dragged the ball onto his stump.

Rashid Khan then triggered a collapse, getting rid of Mushfiqur Rahim (7) and Yasir Ali (1) in quick succession.

The situation got worsened when Mohammad Nabi dismissed Liton when he was 14 runs away from his second successive ton.

If he would have hit the century, he could have been the third Bangladeshi player after Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal to score two consecutive ODI centuries.

Mahmudullah Riyad then kept his end intact but saw wickets tumbling at the other end, denying Bangladesh to go past 200 runs mark.

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