Nurul Hasan’s cheeky ramp and steady finish lift Bangladesh to 154!
Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled the final over with clever variations, but Bangladesh still managed 9 runs to close their innings at 154/5. Nurul Hasan showcased innovation, scooping a slower delivery over short fine leg for a boundary and collecting a couple more with smart placement. Despite receiving ankle treatment mid-over, he rotated the strike effectively. Jaker Ali, however, struggled to find rhythm, missing a short ball and managing only a couple at the end. With 5 dots in the last 11 deliveries, Bangladesh wrapped up their innings at 154/5, setting Afghanistan a target of 155 for victory.
Omarzai delivers a brilliant penultimate over, removing Hridoy!
Azmatullah Omarzai made an immediate impact by dismissing Towhid Hridoy for 26, as the batter mistimed a lofted shot to deep extra cover. Incoming batter Nurul Hasan showed intent by lifting a low full toss over mid-off for a boundary and then sneaking a single, while one wide also added to the score. However, Omarzai regained control with three consecutive dot balls against Jaker Ali, shutting down Bangladesh’s hopes of a big finish. Just 6 runs and a crucial wicket came from the over, leaving Bangladesh at 145/5 after 19 overs.
Bangladesh collect steady runs against Farooqi’s slower balls.
Fazalhaq Farooqi mixed his pace smartly in the 18th over, using slower bouncers and cutters to keep the batters guessing. Towhid Hridoy picked up a couple of well-placed twos with soft hands, while Jaker Ali added two doubles of his own—one pulled into the leg side and another dragged toward midwicket. Despite Farooqi’s variations, Bangladesh collected 9 runs from the over, moving to 139/4 after 18 overs. Hridoy is on 26 off 19, while Jaker Ali sits on 10 off 8, with the stage set for the final push.
Jaker Ali breaks free with a boundary!
Noor Ahmad signed off his spell with impressive control, conceding just 6 runs in the over. Jaker Ali, however, found a release shot as he swatted a short ball wide of deep midwicket for a much-needed four. He later added a single through the covers, while Towhid Hridoy tried to improvise with a paddle but managed only an inside edge onto the pad. Bangladesh moved cautiously to 130/4 after 17 overs, with Hridoy unbeaten on 21 and Jaker Ali on 6.
Rashid Khan delivers again — Shamim Hossain trapped LBW!
Rashid Khan wrapped up his spell in trademark fashion, claiming his second wicket with a sharp googly that rapped Shamim Hossain on the pads. The batter reviewed in hope, but technology confirmed it was crashing into middle. Shamim departed for 11 off 11, leaving Bangladesh in a tricky spot. Jaker Ali, walking in at number six, got off the mark with a single, while Towhid Hridoy kept things ticking with smart rotation, finishing the over with a well-run double. Just 5 runs came from it, as Bangladesh slipped to 124/4 after 16 overs.
Towhid Hridoy releases pressure with a crisp boundary as Noor Ahmad keeps it tight.
Noor Ahmad continued to apply the squeeze, varying his pace and angles to keep the batters guessing. Shamim Hossain attempted a couple of reverse sweeps but failed to connect, adding only a single. Towhid Hridoy finally broke the shackles, cutting a short delivery behind point for a much-needed four, despite Omarzai’s valiant dive on the rope. Only 5 runs came from the over, leaving Bangladesh at 119/3 after 15 overs with Hridoy on 17 and Shamim on 10.
Shamim Hossain lifts the tempo with back-to-back boundaries against Rashid Khan.
Rashid Khan returned for his third over but Shamim Hossain responded with positive intent. He opened his account with a deft late cut that sped away after a misfield at short third, before unleashing a commanding slog sweep to the square-leg fence. Towhid Hridoy rotated strike early, allowing Shamim to dictate the over’s momentum. A paddle for a single rounded off the set, bringing 10 valuable runs. Bangladesh moved to 114/3 after 14 overs, with Shamim on 9 off 6 and Hridoy steady at 13 off 8.
Noor Ahmad removes Tanzid Hasan as Afghanistan strike back in the middle overs.
Noor Ahmad delivered a decisive breakthrough in his second over, dismissing the dangerous Tanzid Hasan for a well-made 52 off 31 balls. After earlier conceding a flat six to Towhid Hridoy, Noor hit back as Tanzid miscued a lofted drive straight to long off where Ibrahim Zadran made no mistake. The wicket ended a fluent innings from Tanzid, laced with 4 fours and 3 sixes, and pegged Bangladesh back just as they looked to accelerate. At 104/3 after 13 overs, Hridoy remains unbeaten on 12 with Shamim Hossain joining him at the crease.
Tanzid Hasan brings up a fluent half-century as Bangladesh continue to build steadily.
AM Ghazanfar returned for his third over but could not break through as the batters rotated strike with ease. Tanzid Hasan reached his 7th T20I fifty off just 28 balls, a knock laced with 4 boundaries and 3 sixes, showcasing his fine touch. Towhid Hridoy also looked composed, nudging singles to keep the momentum alive. With six runs coming in singles, Bangladesh moved to 95/2 after 12 overs, well placed for a strong finish.
Noor Ahmad makes an instant impact, striking with his very first over to remove Litton Das.
Afghanistan fought back strongly as Litton Das was trapped lbw by Noor Ahmad. Initially given not out, Rashid Khan’s sharp call for a review overturned the decision, with ball-tracking showing all three reds. The dismissal pegged Bangladesh back just as they looked to accelerate. Towhid Hridoy walked in to join Tanzid Hasan, who remains composed on 48*. With only three runs from the over and a big wicket, Afghanistan regained some momentum at 90/2 after 11 overs.
Tanzid Hasan takes charge with a towering six as Bangladesh dominate at the halfway stage.
Mohammad Nabi looked to apply pressure with disciplined lines, but Tanzid Hasan was in full control. The left-hander launched a flat six over square leg to stamp his authority, followed by quick runs through smart placement. Litton Das played second fiddle, rotating the strike effectively and keeping the tempo steady. With 87 on the board after 10 overs and nine wickets in hand, Bangladesh are in a commanding position, their openers setting the platform for a big total.
Rashid Khan applies the brakes as Bangladesh rely on rotation in the middle overs.
Bowling with guile and precision, Rashid Khan kept Bangladesh’s batters in check. Litton Das managed to work the ball around for a pair of singles and a well-judged double, while Tanzid Hasan added two more singles to his tally. Despite the rotation, boundaries were hard to come by, with Rashid’s variations keeping both batters cautious. Bangladesh moved to 75/1 after nine overs, their scoring rate dipping as Afghanistan’s spinners begin to dictate terms.
Mohammad Nabi keeps it tight with a controlled first over, stalling Bangladesh’s momentum.
Introduced into the attack, Nabi immediately brought discipline with his variations in pace and flight. Litton Das looked to rotate strike, collecting a couple of singles, while Tanzid Hasan added three runs, including a sharp two that nearly resulted in a run-out. Nabi kept the batters guessing with his clever changes, conceding just five runs in the over. Bangladesh reached 69/1 after eight overs, with the platform set but Afghanistan tightening their grip in the middle phase.
Rashid Khan strikes with his magic, removing Saif Hassan right after the Powerplay.
Introduced straight after the field restrictions, Rashid Khan showcased his class immediately. Saif Hassan picked up consecutive twos but then misread a sharp wrong’un that skidded low, knocking back his stumps as he attempted a slog sweep. Saif departed for a steady 30 off 28 balls, giving Afghanistan the breakthrough they needed. Litton Das arrived at number three and cautiously opened his account with a single. At 64/1 after seven overs, Bangladesh still have a strong platform, but Rashid’s presence could change the momentum.
Tanzid Hasan lights up the Powerplay with two towering sixes, putting Bangladesh firmly on top.
Allah Ghazanfar’s second over was taken apart as Tanzid Hasan shifted gears in stunning fashion. After Saif Hassan nudged a couple and ran a sharp single, Tanzid cleared his front leg to smash a massive six over long-on. Saif then kept things moving with a clever three behind square before Tanzid struck again, this time depositing the ball high over square leg for another maximum. With both openers complementing each other perfectly, Bangladesh powered to 59 without loss at the end of the Powerplay, laying a strong platform for the innings.
Saif Hassan asserts himself with a boundary as Bangladesh keep building steadily.
Azmatullah Omarzai returned for another spell, mixing sharp short balls with good length deliveries. Saif Hassan handled the challenge confidently, pulling and flicking into the gaps and cracking a clean boundary through midwicket. There was a brief scare when a top-edged pull struck his helmet, prompting a quick concussion check, but the opener looked unfazed and continued his innings. Tanzid Hasan provided calm support, rotating the strike smartly to keep the pressure off. At the end of five overs, Bangladesh cruised to 40 without loss, both openers looking assured at the crease.
Saif Hassan lights up the over with a towering six as Bangladesh keep rolling.
Allah Ghazanfar looked to tighten things up with flight and drift, but Saif Hassan refused to be tied down. After nudging a couple of singles, the opener showcased his clean striking, launching a majestic six straight back over the bowler’s head — a shot of pure timing and power. Tanzid Hasan kept his calm presence at the crease, ensuring no risks from his end. At the close of four overs, Bangladesh moved smoothly to 32 without loss, their openers in full command.
Tanzid Hasan tears into Farooqi with a flurry of fours to lift Bangladesh’s tempo.
Fazalhaq Farooqi bent his back and searched for swing, but Tanzid Hasan was in complete control, dispatching him to all parts. The left-hander struck four crisp boundaries — a pair of authoritative drives through the off side, a thick edge past third man, and a confident loft over mid-on. A brief UltraEdge check on a dab behind the stumps added to the drama, but Tanzid survived. With Saif Hassan rotating strike calmly, Bangladesh powered their way to 24 without loss after three overs.
Saif Hassan breaks free with the first boundary of the innings.
Azmatullah Omarzai came steaming in, probing with late movement and keeping the pressure on the openers. A loud shout for caught behind was turned down, adding early drama. Saif Hassan, however, responded in style — whipping a length ball over backward square for a crisp four. A wayward wide added to Afghanistan’s frustration, while Tanzid Hasan played watchfully at the other end. Bangladesh move to 8 without loss after two overs, with both openers still settling in.
Farooqi makes an immediate impact with the new ball.
Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled a fiery opening over, beating Saif Hassan multiple times with sharp swing both ways. An early lbw appeal was turned down, and a half-chance at cover kept the pressure on Bangladesh. After four consecutive dots, Saif finally nudged a single before Tanzid Hasan clipped two off his pads to ease the tension. A testing start for the Tigers, who crawl to 3 without loss after the first over.