AFG vs BAN: Rashid Khan rattles Bangladesh, but Nurul, Rishad seal tense chase

Bangladesh overcame a dramatic middle-order collapse to clinch a four-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first T20I in Sharjah on Thursday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The win came despite a sensational spell from Rashid Khan, who ripped through the Bangladesh line-up with four wickets in the space of two overs.

Chasing 152, Bangladesh got off to a dream start through openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan. The pair added 109 runs in just 11.3 overs, dominating the Afghan bowlers with a flurry of boundaries. Emon struck 54 off 37 balls, while Tanzid matched him with 51 off 36, both bringing up impressive fifties to set up what looked like a comfortable chase.

Afghanistan’s fielding, however, added to their misery early on. Fareed Ahmad dropped Emon on 27 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz spilled a chance behind the stumps, allowing Bangladesh to motor along. The punishment was severe as the openers slammed sixes off Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad and Sharafuddin Ashraf to post Bangladesh’s first century stand against Afghanistan in T20Is.

Just as the game appeared to be slipping away, The legspinner first removed Saif Hassan with a googly and dismissed Tanzid in the same over. He returned to trap Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain lbw in quick succession, reducing Bangladesh to 118 for 5. Noor Ahmad then pinned Tanzim Hasan lbw, and Bangladesh had suddenly lost six wickets for just nine runs in 25 deliveries, leaving the contest wide open.

From there, it was left to Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain to steady the innings. Despite the pressure, Nurul played with assurance, striking two crucial sixes in his unbeaten 23. Rishad, who had struggled for form recently, held his nerve to collect three boundaries, including the winning shot, as Bangladesh crossed the line with eight balls to spare.

Earlier, Afghanistan struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat. They lost three wickets inside the powerplay – Ibrahim Zadran bowled by Nasum Ahmed, Sediqullah Atal caught off Tanzim Hasan, and Darwish Rasooli run out after a mix-up with Gurbaz. The slide continued as Mohammad Ishaq holed out to deep square leg against Rishad.

Though Gurbaz top-scored with grit, Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling prevented Afghanistan from getting away, restricting them to 151. The total looked under-par, especially after Emon and Tanzid’s assault, but Rashid’s brilliance nearly turned the match on its head. In the end, however, Nurul and Rishad ensured Bangladesh’s blushes were saved in a tense finish.

Leave a Comment