AFG vs BAN 2018: Afghanistan Upbeat after Clean-sweeping Bangladesh - Asghar Stanikzai
Published - 08 Jun 2018, 04:08 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:52 PM
Afghanistan registered a nerve-wracking one-run victory in the 3rd and the final T20I against Bangladesh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun to seal the three-match series 3-0.
For yet another time, Rashid Khan proved to be the difference between the two sides. He managed to defend just nine runs in the final over and eventually help Bangladesh secure a sensational victory from the jaws of defeat.
It was Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Stanikzai who won the toss for the first time in the series and opted to bat. The opening duo of Mohammad Shehzad and Usman Ghani shared a fluent 55-run partnership for the opening wicket.
However, both were dismissed in quick succession, as Afghanistan got reduced to 59/2. No Afghanistan batsman could convert their starts into a big one which prevented the hosts from scoring big.
It was some good tight bowling by Bangladesh which never really allowed them to go all guns blazing. Skipper Asghar STanikzai scored a fluent 27 followed by a well-composed unbeaten 33 by Samiullah Shenwari. On the other hand, wickets kept falling in crucial junctures which never really allowed Afghanistan to press on the accelerator.
Eventually, they finished on 145/6 at the end of their allotted 20 overs. Nazmul Ismal was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with figures of 2/18. Abu Jayed also chipped in with a couple of wickets. Bangladesh needed to get off to a solid start which they had been missing for the last couple of matches. However, it didn’t pan out the way they would have wanted.
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The visitors lost Tamim Iqbal early, as Mujeeb-ur-Rahman removed the southpaw with a brilliant delivery. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals which stalled the progress of Bangladesh in the middle overs.
Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das were both dismissed in the form of run outs, as Bangladesh were reduced to 35/3. Shakib Al Hasan also failed to make a mark, as he managed to score only ten off nine deliveries.
It was sensible batting from Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah which eventually got Bangladesh back into the game. Rahim scored 46 off 37 deliveries which included seven boundaries.
However, he got dismissed in the final over of the bowling of Rashid Khan. Mahmudullah also played a good knock but was unable to get Bangladesh over the finishing line.
Rashid Khan bowled a sensational final over and managed to defend just nine runs with disdain. Afghanistan eventually won by a solitary run to bag the series 3-0.
Here is what the winning skipper Asghar Stanikzai said at the post-match presentation,
“It was a great preparation for the Test (against India). If you can beat a Test playing team even in T20, it automatically increases the morale. The boys did really well. When the team is in form, everything seems to go really well. Thanks to the CM. I thank the crowd who made the ground beautiful, and I really appreciate the noise you made in this series.”
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