Bangladesh`s openers set a blistering pace, forming a decisive 109-run partnership in their chase of 152 against Afghanistan in the first T20I.
Bangladesh 153 for 6 (Emon 54, Tanzid 51, Rashid 4-18) beat Afghanistan 151 for 9 (Gurbaz 40, Nabi 38, Rishad 2-33) by four wickets.
Bangladesh secured a dramatic four-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first T20I, navigating a severe batting collapse thanks to a superb opening stand and crucial late-innings heroics. The win came despite Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan`s devastating mid-innings spell, which threatened to derail Bangladesh`s chase.
Blistering Start by Bangladesh Openers
Chasing Afghanistan`s target of 152, Bangladesh`s innings got off to a sensational start, largely thanks to openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan. They launched a relentless assault on the Afghanistan bowlers, forging an impressive 109-run partnership in just 11.3 overs. Emon top-scored with 54 runs off 37 balls, while Tanzid contributed a fluent 51. Their aggressive approach left Afghanistan`s attack struggling to find breakthroughs.
Emon was particularly destructive, smashing 16 runs off Mohammad Nabi`s fifth over, including two sixes, despite being given two lifelines with dropped catches in the same over. Tanzid, returning to the squad after missing previous matches, quickly found his rhythm, hitting powerful sixes off Nabi and Noor Ahmad. Together, they achieved Bangladesh`s first-ever century partnership for any wicket against Afghanistan, setting a formidable platform for the chase.
Rashid Khan`s Devastating Spell Triggers Collapse
The match took a dramatic turn after Fareed Ahmad dismissed Emon for 54, making amends for an earlier dropped catch. This wicket opened the floodgates for Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, who unleashed a devastating spell. He clean bowled Saif Hassan with a deceptive googly and then dismissed Tanzid Hasan (51) in the very same over. Rashid continued his onslaught in his next over, claiming both Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain, both falling plumb leg-before wicket.
With Noor Ahmad also picking up Tanzim Hasan leg-before shortly after, Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious position. In a stunning collapse, they lost six wickets for a mere nine runs within 25 balls, plummeting from a commanding 109 for no loss to a struggling 118 for 6, seemingly out of the contest.
Nurul and Rishad`s Heroic Rescue Act
Facing certain defeat, Bangladesh found unlikely saviours in Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain, their last recognized batting pair. Despite recent struggles for both players, they stepped up to forge a critical, match-winning partnership. Nurul remained unbeaten on 23 runs, which included two crucial sixes, while Rishad struck the winning runs with his third boundary, sealing a four-wicket victory for Bangladesh with eight balls to spare.
Bangladesh`s Early Bowling Prowess
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh`s bowlers started strongly, maintaining control even after Taskin Ahmed conceded three fours in the opening over. Nasum Ahmed secured the first breakthrough, bowling Ibrahim Zadran as the batter attempted a big slog. Tanzim Hasan then unsettled Sediqullah Atal with a short ball, leading to a tame catch at slip by Emon.
Afghanistan`s powerplay difficulties intensified with Darwish Rasooli being run out due to a significant mix-up with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, leaving them three wickets down. Mohammad Ishaq`s dismissal in Rishad`s first over further compounded Afghanistan`s struggles, as they eventually posted 151 for 9 in their allotted overs, with Gurbaz scoring 40 and Nabi 38.
