Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by 2 wickets in a close contest, with 5 balls to spare, in the 2nd T20I of the three-match series at Sharjah. Afghanistan posted 147/5 in 20 overs, thanks to composed knocks from Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Nasum Ahmed (2/25 in 4 overs) led the bowling attack for Bangladesh.

In reply, Bangladesh followed a similar script to the 1st T20I. They were cruising at 102/4 in the 11th over, but a dangerous spell from Azmatullah Omarzai (4/23 in 3.1 overs) and Rashid Khan (2/29 in 4 overs) left them struggling at 129/8 after the 18th over. However, Nurul Hasan and Shoriful Islam held their nerve and took Bangladesh over the line with 5 balls remaining. With this victory, Bangladesh sealed the series 2-0 with one game still to play.

Afghanistan falter after steady start

Afghanistan’s innings began cautiously, with 35 runs in the powerplay but no wickets lost. Sediqullah Atal tried to accelerate with two sixes in the eighth over, but he was dismissed the very next ball for 23. That ended the opening stand of 55.

Nasum Ahmed struck soon after, sending back Ibrahim Zadran for 38. New batter Wafiullah Tarakhil did not last long, falling for just 1. From a strong start, Afghanistan suddenly lost momentum.

Shoriful leads disciplined bowling effort

Bangladesh’s bowlers showed excellent control, with three of them finishing with superb economy. Shoriful gave away only 13 runs in his four overs. Nasum and Saifuddin also kept their economy below 6.50.

Though Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain proved expensive, Rishad managed to pick up two wickets. Nasum dismissed Darwish Rasooli immediately after being hit for a six, while Shoriful returned to remove Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 30 in the 17th over.

In the last five overs, Afghanistan could add only 40 runs, losing one wicket and hitting just two sixes. That late squeeze set up Bangladesh’s successful chase.

Shamim and Jaker steady the innings

While chasing 148, Bangladesh had been rocked early. Omarzai dismissed both Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain, with Rashid Khan taking a sharp catch to send back Tanzid. Parvez was trapped lbw soon after.

Saif Hassan provided brief resistance with two sixes but fell to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. At 24 for 3, Bangladesh looked in serious trouble.

Shamim counterattacked by lofting Rashid for a six to close the powerplay. Jaker Ali then joined in, striking his first six in seven innings against Mohammad Nabi and following it with another against Abdollah Ahmadzai. Shamim continued aggressively, hitting Noor Ahmad over midwicket for his second six.

Their partnership of 56 runs revived the chase, but Jaker fell lbw to Rashid for the second match in a row. Shamim carried on until Noor removed him for 33, leaving Bangladesh once again vulnerable.

Shoriful delivers the final blow

Bangladesh were cruising at 102 for 4 but suddenly collapsed to 129 for 8 in just four overs. Noor Ahmad dismissed Shamim for 33, while Nasum Ahmed, who was looking composed, gifted his wicket while trying to attack Rashid Khan.

Azmatullah Omarzai struck twice in the 18th over, removing Mohammad Saifuddin and Rishad Hossain. At that stage, Bangladesh still needed 19 runs from the last 12 balls with only two wickets left.

Nurul Hasan kept the chase alive. He started the 19th over with a six off Noor and followed it up with a single. That move looked risky at the time, but fortune turned Bangladesh’s way. Three runs came from wides, and Shoriful added seven runs, including a straight boundary. This left just two runs required from the final over.

With Shoriful on strike, the pacer smashed Omarzai’s first ball down the ground to seal victory. Nurul stayed unbeaten on 31 from 21 balls, while Shoriful scored a match-winning 11* off six deliveries.