AFG vs BAN 2018: It was Disappointing the way We Played this Series - Shakib Al Hasan

Afghanistan completed a whitewash against Bangladesh by registering a one-run victory in the 3^rd and the final T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun.

For the 3^rd time in succession, Rashid Khan proved to be the difference between the two sides. He managed to defend nine runs in the final over which handed Afghanistan a nerve-wracking victory. It was a surely a massive moment for Afghanistan to beat a Test playing nation by a 3-0 margin. It will surely give them confidence going into the one-off Test against India starting June 14th in Bengaluru.

For the first time in the series, it was Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Stanikzai who won the toss and opted to bat. The opening duo of Mohammad Shehzad and Usman Ghani got Afghanistan off to a steady start.

Runs weren’t coming to that smoothly. However, they managed to continue the partnership without losing any wickets. However, both fell in quick succession as Afghanistan got reduced to 59/2. It was impressive bowling by Bangladesh, as they eventually managed to restrict Afghanistan to 145 in their allotted 20 overs.

Skipper Asghar Stanikzai scored a quickfire 27 off 17 deliveries which included three monstrous sixes. Samiuallah Shenwari also chipped in with a useful 33, as Afghanistan completed their quota of 20 overs scoring just 145 runs. Nazmul Islam was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with a couple of wickets behind his name.

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Bangladesh got off to the worst possible start, as they lost their first three batsmen with the score reading 35. It was some great piece of bowling by Afghanistan which never really allowed the visitors to go after the Afghan bowling. Despite crucial knocks from the blade of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, Bangladesh failed to get over the line.

Rashid Khan was the standout player for Afghanistan yet again. The 19-year old leg-spinner managed to defend just nine runs in the final over to hand the hosts a one-run victory in the end.

It was a great performance by Afghanistan and it will surely give them enough confidence as they approach their first ever Test match in their cricketing history.

Here is what losing skipper Shakib Al Hasan said at the post-match presentation,

“We were better than the first two games. But disappointing the way we played this series and we need to come up with better plans. We restricted them to a reasonable total. We are a good enough batting side to chase that, but in the middle overs we conceded too much and that costed us. Mushfiq and Mahmudullah did really well, but we need to know how to close it off. They have some quality spinners, and they were the better side on the night.”

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