Sharjah, October 3, 2025 – Bangladesh secured a thrilling 2-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20 of their three-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, taking a 2-0 lead and moving one step closer to sealing the series. The match was a tense contest, with Bangladesh chasing down Afghanistan’s target with just five balls to spare.
Afghanistan’s Batting Effort
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 147/5 in 20 overs. Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with a well-paced 38 off 37 balls, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz added a quick 30 runs off 22 balls to keep the scoreboard ticking. Sediqullah Atal contributed 23 off 19 balls, ensuring Afghanistan had a challenging total on the board.
Bangladesh’s bowlers made inroads at crucial stages. Nasum Ahmed picked up 2 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs, and Rishad Hossain also claimed 2 wickets for 45 runs, keeping the Afghan middle order under pressure. Shoriful Islam added a key wicket, conceding just 13 runs in 4 overs.
Bangladesh’s Chase
Chasing 148, Bangladesh got off to a shaky start but built partnerships to stabilize the innings. Shamim Hossain led the way with 33 runs off 22 balls, while Jaker Ali supported with 32 off 25 deliveries. In the end, it was a composed 31 off 21 balls from Nurul Hasan* that guided Bangladesh to victory with five balls remaining.
Afghanistan’s bowling attack saw Azmatullah Omarzai pick 1 wicket for 23 runs in 3.1 overs, and the legendary Rashid Khan took 2 wickets for 29 runs, but they couldn’t stop Bangladesh from crossing the line. Mujeeb Ur Rahman also chipped in with 1 wicket for 18 runs in 4 overs.
Key Moments
- Afghanistan set a target of 148 runs, putting Bangladesh under early pressure.
- Bangladesh recovered through strategic partnerships between Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, and Nurul Hasan.
- The final over saw Bangladesh hold their nerve, securing a narrow 2-wicket win.
Series Implications
With this victory, Bangladesh now leads the T20 series 2-0, meaning they only need a win in the final match to claim the series. Afghanistan will be aiming for a strong comeback in the third T20 to avoid a clean sweep.
