Afghanistan's best ODI figures, full list: AM Ghazanfar takes second place with match-winning six-for

The 18-year-old was playing his sixth ODI after making a big impression during his maiden international series against South Africa in September. He took three wickets on debut in a historic victory for Afghanistan in the first match of that series. However, his best was on display against Bangladesh in Sharjah today (November 6).

After opening the bowling, he took a wicket with the first ball of his second over, bowling Tanzid Hasan with a ball that stayed low and skidded through. Having been taken off at the end of the powerplay with still only the only the one wicket to his name in the innings, he was brought back for the 31st over, at which point Bangladesh were 133-3 needing another 103 to win - the game in the balance.

Ghazanfar immediately turned the chase into Afghanistan's favour, dismissing the well set Mehidy Hasan Miraz with his fourth ball back into the attack. After Rashid Khan continued his work with a wicket in the next over, Ghazanfar made it three wickets in as many overs, getting Mushfiqur Rahim stumped with the first ball of his next.

Turning the screws even more, he trapped Rishad Hossain lbw with his fifth ball of the same over, and put himself on a hat-trick by bowling Taskin Ahmed first ball with his next delivery. While Ghazanfar couldn't complete the hat-trick, he only needed three further balls to complete the game by knocking over Shoriful Islam's stumps, leaving him with figures of 6-26.

From the point he was brought back on to bowl in the 31st over, Ghazanfar took five wickets in 15 balls. Combined with Rashid, the pair took seven wickets in 27 balls to bring about a dramatic end to the game.

Afghanistan's best ODI figures: Ghazanfar takes second place

Unsurprisingly, it's Rashid who pips Ghazanfar to Afghanistan's all-time best bowling figures. The wrist-spinner took 7-18 against West Indies in 2017, which are also the fourth-best ODI bowling figures for any player from any country.

Rashid makes up almost half the entrants of all Afghanistan players to ever take a five-for in the format, appearing on the list five times. He is one of 16 players in history to take at least five wickets in a men's ODI at least five times.

Ghazanfar, however, is only the third Afghanistan player ever to take a men's ODI six-for, Rashid having done so twice. The only other player with as many wickets in a single ODI innings for Afghanistan is Gulbadin Naib, who took 6-43 against Ireland in 2019.

Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.