The Afghans picked up their second win of the match by defeating the hosts by 21 runs in the tri-series match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today. Bangladesh just couldn't get enough of the new energy of cricket. It has also lost only one Test before; It is again in the field.
The opening match of Bangladesh at 165 runs target is a surprise. Mushfiqur Rahim went to open with Liton Das. This is his first innings start in T20. But this surprise did not last long. Liton Das (1), Najib Tarakai lock-up Ikran Mujib ur Rahman for the second leg of the innings. In the next over, Mushfiq (5) bowled by Farid Ahmed for a bad shot.
Bangladesh lost by 2 wickets for 11 runs. That danger is exacerbated when Shakib (15) and Soumya (5) return to the rotation of Mujib.
At this stage of the game, Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman dealt with danger. Rashid Khan's umpire LBW for 8 runs, but Sabbir saved the review. Mahmudullah Gulbuddin Naib, who scored 44 off 39 balls, was the fifth wicket taker for 58. Then Sabbir Rahman, who scored 24 off 27 balls, was dismissed by Gulbuddin Naib for the off-spinner. Once again, Bangladesh started dreaming of the pair of Afif Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain.
But then it was too late. The run has increased with the ball. Last match star Afif Hossain was out to start opening his hands today. Gulbadin Naib took a great catch for Najibullah Jordan. At that time Bangladesh's defeat was confirmed. The rest was formality. Rashid Khan was beaten and bowled by Saifuddin (2). Mosaddek Hossain (12) bowled by an Afghan captain. In the last over, Mustafizur Rahman caught two sixes and four fours in the interval while Bangladesh were all out for 139 with 2 balls to spare.
Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur by 164 for six. The tourists were in danger of losing 3 wickets in three overs. Mohammed Saifuddin bowled Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6) in a brilliant delivery for the first ball of the innings. In the next over, skipper Shakib Al Hasan locked up another opener Hazratullah Jazai. Mujib ur Rahman took 4 wickets. Gulbadin, Rashid and Farid took two.
Success again in the third over. Najib Tarakai (11) was locked up by Sabbir Rahman for Saifuddin. Afghanistan was shaking with just 3 wickets for 19 runs. Najibullah Zardan and Asghar Afghan tried to catch the match. However, Shakib Al Hasan was locked in a gentle government (5) before he became fearful. Afghanistan lost the fourth wicket by 40 runs. But only then did Mohammad Nabi and Asghar Afghan resist.
Asghar survived due to a no-ball for Tajul with a personal catch of 31 runs. He was eventually dismissed by Mohammed Saifuddin for 40, breaking 79 runs. Gulbadin Naib (0) is the fourth victim of this star pacer. Mohammad Nabi took a half-century off 41 balls. The all-rounder's terrific batting made Afghanistan 164 for 6 in 20 overs. Nabi was unbeaten on 84 off three fours and four sixes in 54 balls.
