Despite Azmatullah Omarzai`s impressive four-wicket haul, Afghanistan`s total of 147 proved insufficient in the second T20I as Bangladesh clinched the series.
Shoriful Islam emerged as a key all-rounder, delivering an economical bowling performance and contributing vital runs with the bat, guiding Bangladesh to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I in Sharjah. This win sealed an unassailable 2-0 lead for Bangladesh in the three-match series.
Bangladesh, once again, found themselves recovering from a batting collapse despite initially being in a strong position during their chase. Crucial contributions from Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, and Nurul Hasan in the middle order, coupled with Shoriful`s all-round heroics, proved decisive in the nail-biting conclusion.
Shoriful`s Batting Heroics Seal Victory for Bangladesh
Bangladesh experienced a significant wobble, plummeting from 102 for 4 to 129 for 8 within four overs. Noor Ahmad dismissed Shamim for 33, followed by Nasum Ahmed`s departure in the 16th over after a misguided slog against Rashid Khan. Azmatullah Omarzai then claimed two quick wickets in the 18th over, removing Mohammad Saifuddin and Rishad Hossain.
With 19 runs required from 12 balls and only two wickets in hand, Nurul Hasan kept Bangladesh`s hopes alive. He began the 19th over with a six off Noor, then took a single. What initially seemed a risky decision to give Shoriful the strike paid off, as three runs came from wides and Shoriful himself smashed seven runs, including a straight boundary, leaving Bangladesh needing just two runs from the final over.
Shoriful, retaining the strike for the last over, decisively struck Omarzai`s first delivery down the ground for the winning runs. Nurul Hasan remained unbeaten on a crucial 31 off 21 balls, while Shoriful finished with an impactful 11 not out from just six deliveries.
Jaker and Shamim Lead Bangladesh`s Recovery
Azmatullah Omarzai provided Afghanistan with an ideal start, dismissing openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain. Rashid Khan`s excellent tumbling catch at mid-off accounted for Tanzid in the second over, and Omarzai then trapped Parvez lbw in his subsequent over. Saif Hassan managed to hit two sixes but was caught by Sediqullah Atal off Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the fifth over, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 24 for 3.
Shamim responded aggressively, smashing Rashid Khan for a six to conclude the powerplay. Jaker then hit his first six in seven innings, lofting Mohammad Nabi over long-on, followed by another boundary flicked over square leg off Abdollah Ahmadzai in the subsequent over.
Shamim continued his assault with a massive six over midwicket off Noor, signaling Bangladesh`s recovery. Jaker, finally reaching double figures after four low scores, was unfortunately dismissed lbw by Rashid Khan for the second consecutive match, breaking their 56-run fourth-wicket partnership with Shamim.
Afghanistan`s Early Momentum Halted by Reckless Batting
Afghanistan began cautiously, scoring only 35 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. Sediqullah Atal attempted to accelerate in the eighth over, hitting Rishad for two sixes, but was dismissed on the very next ball, caught at long-on for 23. This broke the 55-run opening stand. Nasum then had Ibrahim Zadran caught at long-on for 38 off 37 balls, and when newcomer Wafiullah Tarakhil also fell cheaply for 1, Afghanistan`s promising start quickly faded.
Bangladesh Bowlers, Led by Shoriful, Tighten the Screws
Three of Bangladesh`s five bowlers delivered exceptionally economical spells. Shoriful conceded a mere 13 runs from his four overs, while Nasum and Saifuddin also maintained economy rates below 6.50 in their respective four-over quotas. Although Rishad picked up two wickets, both he and Mustafizur Rahman proved to be quite expensive.
Nasum dismissed Darwish Rasooli immediately after being hit for a six by him. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit Rishad for two sixes but was eventually claimed by Shoriful in the 17th over, having scored 30. Afghanistan`s scoring significantly slowed in the final five overs, managing only 40 runs for the loss of one wicket, and hitting just two sixes in that crucial period.
