AFG vs BAN (2nd T20I) – Highlights

 

Bangladesh continued their fine run of form in Sharjah with a nerve-jangling two-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I, sealing the game with five balls to spare. It was a contest that swung back and forth before Shoriful Islam’s late heroics with bat and ball ensured the visitors held their nerve in crunch time.

 

AFG, put in to bat first, managed to post a competitive 147 for 5 in their 20 overs. Sediqullah Atal provided early impetus with a brisk 23 off 19 balls, laced with a couple of sixes, while Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with a steady 38 off 37 deliveries. Rahmanullah Gurbaz once again looked dangerous, scoring a fluent 30 from 22 balls, but his dismissal in the 17th over halted Afghanistan’s momentum. Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai added vital runs at the death, with Nabi smashing 20 off just 12 balls to lift the hosts to what looked like a defendable score.

 

BAN bowling attack produced a mixed performance. While Shoriful Islam was outstanding with 1 for 13 in his four overs, maintaining constant pressure, the spinners also chipped in. Nasum Ahmed picked up two wickets, and Rishad Hossain struck twice but proved expensive. Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin could not quite find their rhythm, conceding valuable runs at the back end. Still, restricting Afghanistan to 147 on a Sharjah surface that offered grip and turn was seen as a decent effort.

 

Chasing 148, Bangladesh had a shaky start, losing Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon cheaply to Omarzai’s lively seam bowling. Saif Hassan counterattacked with an 18-run cameo, but when he fell to Mujeeb, Bangladesh were wobbling at 24 for 3. Captain Jaker Ali then rebuilt the innings with a solid 32 from 25 balls, striking crucial boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. His partnership with Shamim Hossain steadied nerves, as Shamim played an aggressive knock of 33 off 22 balls, taking on AFG spinners with calculated risk.

 

The turning point came when Rashid Khan dismissed both Jaker and Nasum Ahmed, creating fresh panic in the Bangladesh camp. At 127 for 8, the game looked firmly in Afghanistan’s grasp. However, Nurul Hasan stood tall under pressure, crafting a crucial unbeaten 31 off 21 balls with one four and three sixes. His calmness complemented the late cameo from Shoriful Islam, who smashed 11 runs from six deliveries, including two boundaries, to finish the chase in style. Their 23-run partnership for the ninth wicket proved to be the match-winning stand.

 

Azmatullah Omarzai was Afghanistan’s standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for 23 runs and nearly dragging his team to victory. Rashid Khan also bowled superbly, with 2 for 29, but Afghanistan’s inability to close out the game at the death cost them dearly.

 

For his all-round impact with both bat and ball, Shoriful Islam was named Player of the Match. His spell of 1 for 13 was the most economical of the night, and his fearless hitting at the end sealed Bangladesh’s win. With this result, BAN take the lead in the series, leaving Afghanistan with plenty to reflect on ahead of the next encounter.

 

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Scoreboard

 

Afghanistan – 147/5 (20)

Bangladesh – 150/8 (19.1/20)

Result – Bangladesh won by 2 wickets (with 5 balls remaining)

Player of the Match – Shoriful Islam

 

Cricket Highlights, October 03: Afghanistan v Bangladesh 2025 (2nd T20I) – AFG vs BAN Shoriful Islam

 

AFG vs BAN Playing XI

 

 

Afghanistan

Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Wafiullah Tarakhil, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

 

Bangladesh

Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Jaker Ali (c & wk), Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam

 

Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.

 

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