Bangladesh’s white‑ball resurgence continued in Dubai as Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side clinched the three‑match T20I series against Afghanistan with a tense two‑wicket win in the second match. Chasing a modest 148, Bangladesh were jolted by Azmatullah Omarzai’s four‑wicket burst that reduced them to 45 for 4. Shamim Hossain steadied the innings with a composed 34, Nurul Hasan provided stability with 25 off 28 balls and Jaker Ali displayed maturity in an unbeaten 25 as the Tigers crawled home with five balls to spare. The match mirrored their chase in the first game, where they also overturned a target in excess of 150. Bangladesh’s team management hailed the middle order’s temperament under pressure, with coach Chandika Hathurusingha crediting the players for “not panicking despite wickets falling regularly.”
This series win carries symbolic weight for Bangladesh. After a forgettable Asia Cup and an early World Cup exit, the team underwent significant changes. Shanto took over the T20I captaincy, experienced players like Liton Das were rested and younger faces were blooded. The decision paid off. Left‑arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, who was given the new ball, conceded just 20 runs in his four overs and picked up two key wickets. Rishad Hossain complemented him by removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran – the latter top‑scored for Afghanistan with 38 – leaving the visitors at 147 for 5. Although Afghanistan’s middle order was anchored by a patient partnership between Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran, they finished at least 15 runs short on a pitch that offered turn and variable bounce.
From a tactical standpoint, Bangladesh’s chase underscored the importance of rotating strike against high‑class seamers. Omarzai’s four‑for was particularly incisive because he bowled cross‑seam deliveries that gripped the surface. However, Shanto and his colleagues refused to get bogged down. The key partnership of 39 between Shamim and Nurul was built on singles and twos rather than boundaries, and it forced Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan to use his spinners earlier than planned. When Jaker Ali joined Nurul at 94 for 5, the required rate had crept above seven. Ali’s calm presence and Nurul’s paddle sweeps against the spinners ensured Bangladesh crossed the line.
The victory sealed Bangladesh’s first home or neutral‑venue series win over Afghanistan since 2018. It also provided the youngsters with experience in pressure situations, particularly finishing games, which has long been a weakness for the side. “We are learning to win tight games,” Shanto said afterwards, noting that overcoming Omarzai’s burst would bolster the team’s belief. Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan praised Bangladesh’s composure and admitted that his side’s batting needed more aggression at the top. With the series secured, Bangladesh can experiment in the final match, while Afghanistan will look to salvage pride and identify solutions ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
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