Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by six wickets with 12 balls to spare in the third T20I of the three-match series at Sharjah. Afghanistan struggled throughout their innings. After a weak powerplay, their middle overs collapsed, and they managed to score 143/9 in 20 overs. Darwish Abdul Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal made useful contributions in the middle, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman played a few shots towards the end. Mohammad Saifuddin (3/15 in 3 overs), Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2/24 in 4 overs), and Nasum Ahmed (2/24 in 4 overs) led Bangladesh’s bowling attack.

In reply, Bangladesh successfully followed a chase-focused strategy in all three matches. Saif Hassan starred again, scoring an unbeaten 64 off 38 balls to guide Bangladesh to victory. With this win, Bangladesh completed a clean sweep of the series, 3-0.

Tanzid Hasan Provides Early Fireworks

Bangladesh started strongly with Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan at the crease. Afghanistan struck early when Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Parvez Hossain in the fifth over. Parvez had looked promising, scoring a four and a six in his 14-run innings before attempting a lofted shot that ended in a catch at mid-off.

Saif responded immediately with a six in the same over, while Tanzid attacked Rashid Khan in the seventh over with back-to-back fours. Later, Tanzid launched Mujeeb Ur Rahman for a six over long-on. A potential drop by Darwish Rasooli allowed Tanzid to continue his innings, and together he and Saif added a 55-run second-wicket stand, giving Bangladesh a solid start in the 144-run chase.

Saif Hassan Takes Charge

After the initial partnership, Bangladesh briefly lost momentum, following the pattern seen earlier in the series. Captain Jaker Ali survived two lbw appeals in three balls from Rashid Khan, with both deliveries pitching outside leg stump. Meanwhile, Saif dominated Ahmadzai, hitting a massive 92-meter six in a 22-run over.

However, with only 35 runs needed from 38 balls, Jaker fell to Mujeeb despite taking a review. Shamim Hossain then fell for a golden duck, creating a tense moment.

Saif, however, controlled the innings with calculated aggression. He played out Rashid’s 15th over with forward-defensive shots, conceding a maiden, before attacking debutant Bashir Ahmad in the 16th over with two sixes, including a 95-meter slog sweep for his fourth T20I fifty. Nurul Hasan remained unbeaten on 10 and struck the match-winning six off Ahmadzai, finishing the game with composure and remaining not out in all three matches of the series.

Bangladesh Bowlers Dominate

Bangladesh’s bowlers set the tone early. Afghanistan slipped to 39 for 3 after six overs, with Shoriful Islam removing Ibrahim Zadran in the third over. Shamim Hossain then caught Rahmanullah Gurbaz at cover off Nasum Ahmed in the fourth over. Wafiullah Tarakhil fell in the sixth over, ending Afghanistan’s powerplay struggle.

Sediqullah Atal resisted briefly with 28 off 23 balls but fell to Mohammad Saifuddin in the 11th over. Afghanistan continued to lose wickets, with Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan all dismissed cheaply in successive overs. Bangladesh kept up the pressure, reducing Afghanistan to 106 for 8 by the 15th over.

Rasooli and Mujeeb Add Late Resistance

Afghanistan’s tailenders attempted to salvage some pride. In the 17th over, Mujeeb was initially given out lbw but survived after a review. Rasooli hit Rishad Hossain for a four and six, while Mujeeb scored two more fours off Shoriful Islam in the 18th over.

Rasooli, who made 29, fell trying to attack Saifuddin, ending a 34-run ninth-wicket partnership. Bashir then survived a dropped catch behind the stumps, and Mujeeb added another four to take Afghanistan past 140. Despite this late resistance, the total remained insufficient to challenge Bangladesh’s chase.