Sharjah: Bangladesh recovered from a sensational collapse to beat Afghanistan by four wickets in the first T20 and lead the three-match series 1-0 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, chasing a modest 152 for victory, Bangladesh seemed poised for a comprehensive win as openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan Tamim forged a 109-run partnership in just 11 overs. However, the game took a dramatic turn when pacer Fareed Ahmad Malik broke the partnership by dismissing Emon. Captain Rashid Khan then took four wickets in his last two overs, causing Bangladesh to lose six wickets for just nine runs.
Nurul Hasan Sohan and Rishad Hossain played crucial roles in stabilizing the innings. Sohan’s 23 not out off 13 balls and Hossain’s 14 from nine balls helped Bangladesh secure victory in 18.4 overs with an unbeaten seven-wicket stand.
Emon, after a string of poor performances, made a strong comeback with a 54 off 37 balls, including four fours and three sixes. Tanzid also regai
ned form, scoring 51 off 37 balls with three fours and three sixes. Their opening partnership left little room for Afghan bowlers to make an impact until Fareed trapped Emon leg-before, breaking the stand.
Rashid Khan, who conceded 15 runs in his first two overs, returned for a second spell to dismantle the Bangladesh batting lineup further. He dismissed Tanzid, trapped Saif Hasan leg-before for a duck, and took out captain Jaker Ali Anik and Shamim Patwari to finish with figures of 3-18. Noor Ahmed also contributed by removing Tanzim Hasan Sakib for a duck.
Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers delivered a stellar performance, restricting Afghanistan to 151-9 on a flat pitch. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain each took two wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman and Nasum Ahmed kept the Afghan batsmen in check with economical bowling.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored for Afghanistan with 40 off 31 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes. Veteran Mohammad Nabi contributed 38 off 25 balls, with one four and four sixes. Gu
rbaz’s innings helped Afghanistan reach a respectable total, but Bangladesh’s bowlers kept the pressure on, preventing any significant partnerships.
Nabi tried to push the score further after Gurbaz’s dismissal, but Taskin removed him in the 18th over. Despite Sharafuddin Ashraf’s late effort of 17 not out from 12 balls, Afghanistan’s total remained insufficient against Bangladesh’s determined chase.