AFG vs BAN, 2nd T20I, Review: Bangladesh take unassailable 2-0 lead after narrow win in Sharjah

Published - 04 Oct 2025, 09:25 IST | Updated - 04 Oct 2025, 09:49 IST

Afghanistan 147/5 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 38, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 30; Nasum Ahmed 2/25, Rishad Hossain 2/45) lost to Bangladesh 150/8 in 19.1 overs (Shammim Hossain 33, Jaker Ali 32; Azmatullah Omarzai 4/23, Rashid Khan 2/29) by two wickets.

Bangladesh edged Afghanistan by two wickets in a thrilling contest in Sharjah to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Chasing 148, the visitors slipped after a poor start but held their nerve in the final overs, with Shoriful Islam and Nurul Hasan guiding them home. This recorded Afghanistan’s fourth straight defeat in the format, three of which have come at the hands of Bangladesh.

Afghanistan, asked to bat first, struggled despite a solid 55-run opening stand between Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran. The pair took up nearly eight overs before Atal (23 off 19) fell to Rishad Hossain. Zadran too departed soon after for a 37-ball 38.

Post which, 18-year-old Wafiullah Tarakhil fell cheaply, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz kept the scoreboard ticking with a 30 off 22 balls. He hit two sixes before being undone by a Shoriful's yorker. Darwish Rasooli (14) and captain Mohammad Nabi (20* off 12) provided late cameos, while Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with an unbeaten 19. However, Afghanistan managed to post 147/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Meanwhile, Islam finished with figures of 1 for 13 from his four overs, while Nasum Ahmed (2 for 25) and Rishad Hossain (2 for 45) also contributed with the ball.

The chase started disastrously for Bangladesh as Omarzai produced a brilliant opening spell, dismissing Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain inside four overs. Saif Hassan also fell cheaply to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, giving the Afghan team a perfect start with the ball.

From there, Shamim Hossain and skipper Jaker Ali steadied the ship, adding 56 runs for the fourth wicket. Just as the visitors looked in a steady position, Rashid Khan trapped Jaker lbw for 32. Noor Ahmad then dismissed Shamim for 33, turning the game once again.

With the required rate climbing, Nurul Hasan played a crucial hand, smashing Mohammad Nabi for back-to-back sixes to ease the equation. Yet, Omarzai returned to pick up two wickets in three balls, as Bangladesh's scorecard read 129/8, putting Afghanistan on top. Bangladesh needed 19 off the last 12 balls with just two wickets left. Nurul took singles and found boundaries, while Shoriful Islam stepped up once again. Noor conceded 17 runs in the 19th over, sealing Afghanistan’s fate.

With just two needed in the final over, Shoriful hammered Omarzai’s first delivery straight down the ground to complete the chase. Nurul remained unbeaten on 31 off 21 balls, while Shoriful’s 11* off 6 balls earned him the Player of the Match award.