Bangladesh secured a commanding 3-0 T20I series sweep over Afghanistan, chasing down 144 with six wickets in hand and two overs to spare in the final match in Sharjah.
Mohammad Saifuddin led a disciplined bowling effort, taking 3 wickets for 15 runs to restrict Afghanistan to 143 for 9. Opener Saif Hassan then scored an unbeaten 64 off 38 balls to secure the win, giving Bangladesh only their fourth T20I series sweep.
Following a familiar pattern throughout the series, Bangladesh once again successfully chased down a target. Saif continued his fine form, striking seven sixes and two fours, including an array of swings, flicks, and sweeps, to notch his fourth T20I fifty. While Bangladesh lost a couple of wickets in the middle overs, Nurul Hasan calmly struck the winning runs to secure the triumph.
Afghanistan struggled at the top of the order after being sent in to bat. Despite bringing back Rahmanullah Gurbaz as opener and moving Sediqullah Atal to No. 3, the team’s PowerPlay woes persisted. The pair managed only 39 runs in the first six overs, following scores of 33 and 35 in the first two matches. Both Ibrahim Zadran and Gurbaz fell early, and Wafiullah Tarakhil was also dismissed in the PowerPlay, leaving Afghanistan under pressure.
The middle overs saw little respite. Rishad Hossain bowled a costly 16-run over, while Saifuddin accounted for both Tarakhil and Atal. Spin from Rishad and Nasum Ahmed further stifled the innings, removing Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi. Tanzim Hasan Sakib struck twice in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Rashid Khan and Abdullah Ahmadi, leaving Afghanistan at 98 for 8. A late 34-run partnership between Darwish Rasooli and Mujeeb Ur Rahman helped them reach a modest total of 143.
Chasing the target, Bangladesh started cautiously against Mujeeb and Omarzai. Parvez Hossain Emon managed just 14 off 16 balls before Mujeeb removed him. Saif Hassan then took charge, striking a four and a six to inject momentum. Bashir Ahmad proved expensive, conceding 10 runs in his first over before an even costlier second over, which saw Bangladesh reach 47 in the PowerPlay. Saif and Tanzid Hasan both cleared the ropes, and the pair took Bangladesh to 79 for 1 at halfway.
Afghanistan struck with the wicket of Tanzid immediately after the drinks break, but Saif’s audacious hitting ensured the match remained in Bangladesh’s favour. He plundered 22 runs off Bashir Ahmad’s following over to take Bangladesh past 100, while Mujeeb kept the chase tense by claiming two late wickets, including that of Shamim Hossain for a golden duck.
However, Saif Hassan’s continued dominance denied Afghanistan any chance of a comeback. Back-to-back sixes brought up his fifty in just 17 balls, and alongside Nurul Hasan, he dispatched Ahmadzai for two further sixes as Bangladesh completed a historic series sweep.