Bangladesh Outfoxes Afghanistan with Dominant Six-Wicket Win in Second T20I

Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by six wixkets in thr second T20I | Source: Twitter

In a one-sided affair, Bangladesh overwhelmed Afghanistan by six wickets in the second and final T20I of the two-match series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, July 16th, marking a complete whitewash.

In a rain-affected encounter that saw the match reduced to 17 overs per side, Afghanistan, after putting to bat first, could only manage 116 runs for the loss of seven wickets. In reply, the hosts chased down the target in just 16.1 overs with six wickets in hand. 

How Bangladesh achieved the target

Chasing 119 (revised target), Bangladesh got off to a flying start with Litton Das (35) and Afif Hossain (24), adding 67 runs for the opening partnership. However, they faced a few stumbling blocks when they lost three wickets in quick succession, including both openers and Nazmul Hossain Shanto. 

However, till then only a few runs were left to be chased, and Towhid Hridoy and Shakib Al Hasan made it look effortless. While Hridoy contributed 19 runs, Shakib played an unbeaten innings of 18 off just 11 deliveries, guiding Bangladesh to victory in 16.1 overs.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai were the pick of the bowlers, having picked up two wickets each.

Below-par Batting Hampers Afghanistan's Total

Afghanistan had a bleak start as both of their openers fell for single-digit scores. However, Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi came together and formed a crucial 32-run partnership for the third wicket to steady their innings.

Just as both batters appeared to be finding their rhythm, they were both dismissed in consecutive overs. While Zadran contributed 22 runs off 27 balls, Mohammad Nabi scored 16 off 22 deliveries.

Amid ruins, Afghanistan received a much-needed boost from Azmatullah Omarzai and the star performer of the previous game, Karim Janat, in the lower order. 

They put together a partnership of 42 runs for the seventh wicket, which proved instrumental in Afghanistan posting a respectable total of 116 runs. While Omarzai scored 25 runs, Karim Janat made a valuable contribution of 20 runs off only 15 balls.  

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed was their standout bowler, claiming a three-wicket haul.

Brief Score

Afghanistan: 116/7 (17 Overs) 

Azmatullah Omarzai 25(21), Karim Janat 20(15); Taskin Ahmed 3-33 (4), Shakib Al Hasan 2-15 (3) 

Bangladesh: 119/4 (16.1 Overs) 

Litton Das 35(36), Afif Hossain 24(20); Azmatullah Omarzai 2-27 (3), Mujeeb Ur Rehman 2-28 (4)

Bangladesh won by six wickets.

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