Lowest ODI Totals by Bangladesh Against Afghanistan

In recent years, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have quietly built one of the most intriguing rivalries in One Day International cricket. What started as a contest between two rising Asian teams has evolved into a battle where both sides test each other’s strengths.

Yet, despite Bangladesh’s longer cricketing history, there have been moments when their batting line-up has completely fallen apart against Afghanistan. These moments have given rise to some of Bangladesh’s lowest ever ODI totals against the Afghan side.

This article looks closely at those matches — how they happened, what went wrong, and what they reveal about the direction of cricket in both nations. It’s not just about numbers on a scoreboard; it’s about momentum, mindset, and the shifting balance of power in Asian cricket.

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The Background of a Modern Rivalry

Bangladesh entered international cricket much earlier than Afghanistan. For years, they were considered the underdogs among the Test-playing nations. Afghanistan, on the other hand, came into the scene much later, born out of adversity, yet rising faster than anyone expected.

What makes this rivalry fascinating is that Afghanistan’s strength directly targets Bangladesh’s biggest weakness — their struggles against high-quality spin. Afghanistan’s spin department, led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and a new generation of young spinners, has repeatedly found ways to suffocate Bangladesh’s batting.

On slow, low pitches, especially in the UAE or the subcontinent, the Afghan bowlers have turned the game into a spin-dominated chess match. Bangladesh’s batting, usually solid at home, tends to crumble under that kind of pressure.

Over the years, this has led to a few innings that fans would rather forget — innings where Bangladesh were bowled out for under 150, sometimes under 100, showing how quickly a team’s confidence can collapse in the face of relentless spin.

The 93-Run Collapse — A Day to Forget

The most painful chapter in this story came in October 2025, when Bangladesh were bowled out for just 93 runs in Abu Dhabi. It was the third and final ODI of a short series, and Bangladesh were already struggling after losing the first two games.

Afghanistan had posted a strong total of nearly 300, and Bangladesh needed a solid start to have any hope of chasing it down. Instead, they fell apart almost immediately. The first few overs were tight but manageable.

Then came a burst of wickets — one after another, as if someone had flicked a switch. The Afghan bowlers, particularly the young pacer Bilal Sami and the ever-dangerous Rashid Khan, tore through the line-up. The pitch wasn’t impossible to bat on; it just required patience and good shot selection.

But Bangladesh’s batsmen, perhaps feeling the pressure of the target and recent losses, went for risky strokes that cost them dearly. By the 28th over, it was all over. Ninety-three runs, ten wickets gone. It was Bangladesh’s lowest ODI total ever against Afghanistan, and one of their worst collapses in recent memory.

Another Collapse — 109 All Out

Only a few days before that disaster, Bangladesh had already shown signs of what was to come. In the second ODI of the same series, they were chasing a much smaller total of around 190 — a very achievable target on paper.

But cricket isn’t played on paper, and Afghanistan’s spinners had other ideas.Rashid Khan was in full rhythm, turning the ball sharply and trapping batsmen in front of the wicket. The Bangladeshi top order never settled.

Every time a partnership started, a wicket would fall to break the momentum. Middle-order batsmen looked uncertain, trying to push singles but often finding themselves unable to rotate the strike. Before anyone realized it, half the side was gone for under 80.

The rest of the innings followed the same story. The lower order offered little resistance, and Bangladesh were bundled out for 109. It wasn’t as shocking as the 93-run innings that followed, but it was a clear sign that something deeper was wrong — a lack of adaptability, confidence, and mental toughness.

The 143 in Sharjah — The Collapse That Started It All

Before those back-to-back collapses in 2025, another low total had hinted at Bangladesh’s growing struggle against Afghanistan. In late 2024, the two teams met in Sharjah. Bangladesh batted first and, for a while, seemed in control.

The openers did well, and at 120 for 2, things looked comfortable. Then, suddenly, everything unraveled. Afghanistan’s young spinner, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, bowled a dream spell.

His variations were impossible to pick, and within minutes, Bangladesh’s innings went from promising to disastrous. Wickets fell in clusters. No batsman managed to anchor the innings. From 120 for 2, they were all out for 143.

That match was a turning point. It showed that Afghanistan didn’t need big names alone to trouble Bangladesh — their depth in spin talent was deep enough to expose any batting line-up on the right pitch.

The Common Thread: Struggles Against Spin

If there’s one theme that connects all these collapses, it’s Bangladesh’s long-standing difficulty with quality spin bowling. Ironically, Bangladesh are known for producing decent spinners themselves, but playing against world-class ones — especially in pressure situations — has often been their Achilles’ heel.

In these matches, you could see the same mistakes repeating. Batters hesitated between attack and defense. Some tried to sweep rashly, others poked at deliveries that spun past the bat. Shot selection, footwork, and temperament — all seemed to vanish once Afghanistan’s spinners found their rhythm.

It’s not that Bangladesh lack skill. On their day, they can post big totals and dominate. But in conditions that demand patience, control, and the ability to rotate strike, they often falter.

The Psychological Battle

Cricket collapses are rarely just technical — they’re also psychological. When a team has a few bad experiences against an opponent, it can leave a lasting mark. The moment a spinner starts to get a bit of turn or a few dots build pressure, doubt creeps in.

For Bangladesh, Afghanistan has become that opponent. They know Afghanistan’s bowlers have the tools to dismantle them, and that awareness creates tension even before the first ball is bowled. Confidence, once lost, takes time to rebuild.

In that 2025 series, you could see Bangladesh’s uncertainty even in their body language — hesitant footwork, delayed reactions, and rushed shots.

Why These Totals Matter

These low scores might seem like just a few bad games, but they hold deeper meaning. They highlight a shift in regional cricket dynamics. Once upon a time, Bangladesh were the stronger of the two sides. They had more experience, better infrastructure, and a stronger domestic setup.

Afghanistan were the new kids on the block. But now, the story is different. Afghanistan’s players have become battle-hardened through international leagues. Their bowlers understand how to adapt to different conditions.

Their batting, though still developing, has enough power to set challenging totals. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s batting has struggled to evolve, especially against opponents who understand their weaknesses. The 93-run collapse, in particular, symbolized this shift.

It wasn’t just a bad day — it was a message that Afghanistan are no longer underdogs.

Lessons for Bangladesh

Every collapse carries lessons. For Bangladesh, these matches point toward three main areas of improvement. First, they need to strengthen their middle and lower order. Too often, once the top three fail, the rest crumble quickly.

Building a more stable, adaptable middle order would allow them to recover even when early wickets fall. Second, they must improve how they play spin. This isn’t just about shot selection; it’s about mindset.

Playing spin well means understanding when to attack, when to defend, and how to rotate the strike without taking big risks. Bangladesh’s batters often get stuck, allowing pressure to build until a wicket falls.

Third, they need to be mentally tougher. Teams like Afghanistan thrive on momentum. Once they sense weakness, they attack relentlessly. Bangladesh must learn to absorb that pressure, slow the game down, and rebuild calmly instead of panicking.

The Rise of Afghanistan

While Bangladesh were faltering, Afghanistan were rising. Their victories in these matches were not flukes. They were built on planning, execution, and self-belief. Afghanistan’s bowlers didn’t just exploit conditions; they forced errors by maintaining discipline and accuracy.

Rashid Khan remains the figurehead, but Afghanistan’s success isn’t dependent on one man anymore. Youngsters like Ghazanfar and Bilal Sami have shown they can take responsibility. Their ability to defend modest totals or crush opponents with spin depth has made Afghanistan a serious ODI force.

What’s remarkable is how quickly they’ve developed this identity. In just over a decade, Afghanistan has gone from being an emerging team to one capable of whitewashing established sides like Bangladesh.

The Future of the Rivalry

The Bangladesh–Afghanistan rivalry is far from over. In fact, it’s just heating up. Each new series carries more weight because both sides know what’s at stake — pride, reputation, and the symbolic status of being Asia’s next cricketing power.

For Bangladesh, the challenge is to reclaim lost ground. Their senior players have experience, but they need fresh energy from the younger generation. They must show that the collapses of 2024 and 2025 were temporary setbacks, not a pattern.

For Afghanistan, the goal is consistency. They have the talent and momentum, but sustaining it over long tournaments will define their true place in international cricket.

The next time these two teams meet, fans will watch closely — not just for the scoreline, but to see whether Bangladesh can finally overcome their fear of Afghan spin, or whether Afghanistan will tighten their grip further.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bangladesh’s lowest ODI total against Afghanistan?

Bangladesh’s lowest total against Afghanistan in One Day Internationals is 93 all out, recorded in Abu Dhabi in October 2025.

How many times has Bangladesh been bowled out for under 150 against Afghanistan?

At least three notable times — 143 in Sharjah (2024), 109 in Abu Dhabi (2025), and 93 in the same 2025 series.

Why do Bangladesh struggle against Afghanistan’s bowling?

The main reason is Afghanistan’s spin dominance. Their spinners use variations and pace changes that Bangladesh’s batsmen often find difficult to handle, especially on slow pitches.

Who were the standout bowlers in these matches?

Rashid Khan, Bilal Sami, and young spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar were key figures. Their ability to take wickets in clusters has repeatedly broken Bangladesh’s batting.

Are these low totals common for Bangladesh?

While Bangladesh occasionally struggles against top sides, such low scores are rare. However, Afghanistan’s bowling attack seems to bring out Bangladesh’s worst performances more often than other teams.

What can Bangladesh do to avoid such collapses?

They need to strengthen their middle order, improve techniques against spin, and build mental resilience. Practicing on turning tracks and learning to rotate strike can also make a difference.

Has Afghanistan completely overtaken Bangladesh as a stronger team?

Not entirely, but the gap has narrowed significantly. Afghanistan’s bowling is now among the best in the world, and their confidence is high. Bangladesh still have more experience overall, but Afghanistan’s rapid improvement means the rivalry is far more balanced than it used to be.

Conclusion

The story of Bangladesh’s lowest ODI totals against Afghanistan is not just about defeat; it’s about evolution. It shows how the balance of power in cricket can shift when one side learns faster than the other. Afghanistan, once seen as underdogs, now stand tall as equals — sometimes even favorites. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are facing the uncomfortable task of rebuilding and adapting.

Cricket, at its heart, is a game of learning from failure. These collapses, while painful, can become turning points. If Bangladesh take the right lessons — focus, patience, and adaptability — they can come back stronger. Until then, those low totals remain etched in memory, serving as both a warning and a motivation for better days ahead.