
Bangladesh secured a spectacular win against Afghanistan in the 2nd T20 International, sealing the T20 series with a match to spare. The 'Red and Green Representatives' claimed a nerve-wracking two-wicket victory over Afghanistan.
At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday (October 3), Bangladesh captain Jaker Ali won the toss and invited Afghanistan to bat first. Electing to bat, the innings of Rashid-Nabi's side ended at 147 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Chasing the target, Bangladesh reached the winning post with four balls to spare.
However, in pursuit of the 148-run target, the Tigers found themselves under immense pressure at one stage. A top-order collapse saw Bangladesh lose 3 wickets for just 24 runs. But brilliant middle-order batting from Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain, and a late surge by Nurul Hasan, shattered Afghanistan's hopes. Bangladesh eventually scored 150/8 in 19.1 overs, winning the match with 5 balls remaining.
The hero of the series-clinching match was the late-order batter, Shoriful Islam. Coming in at number ten, the left-hander scored 11 runs off 6 balls. Earlier in the match, Shoriful had also guided Bangladesh's efforts.
Though he didn't take a wicket, he restricted Afghanistan's batsmen from playing big shots, conceding only 9 runs in his first three overs. He later returned in the death overs to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was Afghanistan’s second-highest scorer with 30 runs off 22 balls.
The run chase started with an early jolt for Bangladesh. Tanzid Hasan Tamim (2 off 7 balls) returned to the pavilion, caught at mid-off in the second over of the innings bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai. Omarzai, in his very next over, trapped Parvez Hossain Emon (2 off 5 balls) leg-before-wicket.
Saif Hassan was playing confidently but committed an error due to over-confidence. He skied a catch attempting to hit against the spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Saif was out after scoring 18 off 14 balls with 1 four and 2 sixes.
Bangladesh had lost 3 wickets for 24 runs. Following a four and a six by Shamim Patwari in an over by Rashid Khan, the Tigers managed only 37 runs for 3 wickets in the Power Play (6 overs).
The partnership between Jaker Ali and Shamim for the fourth wicket helped overcome much of the danger, adding 56 runs off 37 balls. Rashid Khan broke the partnership by dismissing Jaker Ali LBW. Jaker's innings of 32 runs off 25 balls included two fours and two sixes.
Shamim was playing well but gave away his wicket attempting a reverse sweep, lofting the ball into the air. Shamim scored 33 runs off 22 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. Following his departure, the dismissals of Nasum Ahmed (10 off 11), Saifuddin (4 off 2), and Rishad Hossain (2 off 2) put Bangladesh in trouble, losing 7 wickets for 127 runs.
However, Nurul Hasan Sohan held one end and steered the team to victory, receiving excellent support from Shoriful Islam. Sohan remained unbeaten on 31 off 21 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes. Shoriful was unbeaten on 11 off 6 balls, finishing the match with a boundary. Afghanistan's Omarzai was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 23 runs.
Afghanistan's Innings
Earlier, the Tigers decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Afghanistan put up a total of 147 runs for 5 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Afghanistan opener Sediqullah Atal was Rishad Hossain's victim after scoring 23 runs off 19 balls.
The other opener, Ibrahim Zadran, played a slow innings, making 38 runs off 37 balls before being dismissed by Nasum Ahmed. Wafiullah Tarakhil (1 off 4) and Darwish Rasooli (14 off 9) did not last long.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz offered some resistance with an innings of 30 off 22 balls but was bowled by Shoriful Islam. Late contributions from Azmatullah Omarzai (19* off 17) and veteran Mohammad Nabi (20* off 12) gave Afghanistan a competitive total.
For Bangladesh, Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain took two wickets each, while Shoriful Islam claimed one wicket.




