Sharjah: Bangladesh raised a prospect of sweeping the three-match T20 International series after restricting Afghanistan to a modest 143-9 in the third game at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE today. The bowlers produced yet another sensational performance to stifle Afghanistan right after the captain Jaker Ali Anik sent the opponents to bat first.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, pacer Mohammad Saifuddin played a vital role by claiming 3-15, a bowling figure that helped him reach the 50-wicket milestone in 45 matches. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nasum Ahmed took two wickets apiece to rip through the top order, keeping Bangladesh ahead in their bid to inflict a series whitewash.
The breakthrough came from Shoriful Islam, who dismissed Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran for 7 with a short of length delivery in the third over. Nasum further jolted the Afghan innings by getting the prized scalp of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who top-edged a length delivery to extra cover for 12.
Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli pu
t up resistance before Saifuddin rattled the stump of Wafiullah Tarakhil for 11, leaving Afghanistan at 39-3. They counterattacked in style, giving the side a ray of hope to recover from the early collapse. However, an adventurous shot from Atal cut short his stay as he skied a widish delivery from Saifuddin to mid-on, ending the 44-run partnership. Atal made 28 off 23 with one four and one six.
Rasooli held the innings with calculative aggression amid regular wickets tumbling around him before Saifuddin returned to his second spell to dismiss him. Rasooli top-scored for the side with 32 off 29, an innings including two fours and one six. Mujeeb Ur Rahman played a cameo, scoring 23 not out from 18 balls, to take the side past 140.