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Bangladesh Clinch Tense T20I Series Against Afghanistan (afg-vs-ban) Amid Dramatic Sharjah Collapses Bangladesh secured a hard-fought 2-0 series victory over Afghanistan in their three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series in Sharjah this week, overcoming a series of high-tension finishes that underscored the growing intensity of the rivalry between the two Asian sides. The narrow margin of victory in both of the decisive fixtures, combined with astonishing batting collapses, highlighted significant areas for improvement for both teams as they continue their preparations for major ICC tournaments, particularly the T20 World Cup 2027. The second T20I, which sealed the series for Bangladesh, was arguably the most volatile, ending in a two-wicket win for the Tigers with five balls to spare. Chasing a modest total of 147, Bangladesh’s middle order faltered under intense pressure from Afghanistan’s spin attack. Despite the shaky finish, key contributions from Shoriful Islam and Nurul Hasan in the final overs ensured they scrambled past the target, reflecting a resilience that has often been elusive for the side in close-run contests. The competitive nature of the series was established in the opening match, which saw Bangladesh prevail by four wickets. Set a target of 152, the Bangladeshi openers, Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon, laid a commanding foundation with an opening partnership exceeding 100 runs. This seemed to promise a comfortable victory before the innings spiralled into a dramatic collapse.
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Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, delivered a masterful spell of spin bowling, triggering the loss of six wickets for just nine runs, dramatically shifting the momentum. It took the late-order hitting of Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain to steady the ship and guide Bangladesh over the line with eight balls remaining, preventing an embarrassing turnaround. For Afghanistan, led by their talismanic skipper Rashid Khan, the series represents a missed opportunity to build momentum following their early exit from the Asia Cup. Their strength—a world-class spin attack featuring Rashid, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman—consistently managed to suffocate the Bangladeshi middle order. However, the batting unit struggled to set commanding totals, particularly against the new ball, placing undue pressure on their bowlers to defend scores around the 150-mark. The T20I skirmish directly followed the Asia Cup, where the two teams had met in a critical Group B clash in Abu Dhabi. In that fixture, Bangladesh managed an eight-run victory, a result that ultimately proved vital in keeping their Super Four hopes alive. The recurring theme across all these recent encounters is the narrow margin of victory, indicating a parity in skill and tactical execution, particularly on slow, turning pitches in the UAE.
Cricket analysts have frequently pointed to the tactical evolution of the Afghanistan side, noting their rapid ascent in the shortest formats. The team's deep understanding of the finer points of T20 cricket, including net run rate calculations and targeted bowling changes, is often credited for their success in major tournaments. However, this recent series suggests that their batting consistency against fellow full-member nations remains a hurdle. Speaking after the Asia Cup match, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan expressed frustration over his side’s failure to close out tight games. “We were in the game until the end but couldn't finish it off,” Khan was quoted as saying, emphasising the need for more disciplined shot selection, particularly in the middle overs. “Thirty off 18 balls was very gettable. We let a lot of pressure build on ourselves. ” Meanwhile, the victorious Bangladesh camp saw the result as a necessary confidence boost.
Bangladesh captain Litton Das acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles with finishing the innings, stating that they often felt "15-20 runs short" with the bat. However, he praised the bowling unit’s discipline. “The way Nasum [Ahmed] and Rishad [Hossain] bowled was special, they really showed their skill,” Das commented on his spinners’ ability to contain the opposition’s chase. Looking ahead, the two teams are scheduled to transition directly into a three-match One Day International (ODI) series, also hosted in the UAE, providing a further examination of their respective strengths in the 50-over format. For Bangladesh, the task will be to carry the momentum of the T20I victory into the ODIs, particularly with the continued absence of key players like Litton Das due to injury. The ODI series will offer both nations valuable preparation for the larger challenges of ICC events on the horizon, with both sides seeking to establish reliable team compositions and depth against high-quality opposition. The intense and unpredictable nature of the T20I series sets a compelling stage for the forthcoming 50-over contest. This video contains highlights and analysis of the second match where Bangladesh beat Afghanistan and clinch the T20I series 2-0.
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