AFG vs BAN 2018, 2nd T20I: Rashid Khan's Heroics Seal T20 Series Win for Afghanistan

It was a sensational all-round performance from Afghanistan yet again as they won the 2^nd T20I against Bangladesh in Dehradun by six wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-matches T20I series.

For yet another time, the 19-year-old leg-spinner Rashid Khan spun a web around the Bangladesh batters to finish with exceptional figures of 4/12 in his allotted four overs. It was an exhibition of top-class spin bowling by Rashid.

The leggie kept his reputation of being the No 1 bowler in the shortest format of the game. Rashid also bagged the Man of the Match Award for the 2^nd consecutive time courtesy his exceptional spell.

For the 2^nd time in succession, it was Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan who won the toss, and he opted to bat. Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das receded out in the middle. The visitors lost Liton Das in the 2^nd over. Sabbir Rahman and Tamim shared a 29 runs partnership before the fall of Rahman’s wicket.

Mushfiqur Rahim was also dismissed in quick succession, as Bangladesh were reduced to 75/3. From there on, it was some terrific bowling by Rashid Khan which restricted Bangladesh from scoring big, Abu Hider Rony smashed 14 balls 21 towards the end to propel Bangladesh to a score of 134/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Afghan spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Mohammad Nabi was quite brilliant. They finished with six wickets between them for just 46 runs in 12 overs.

The trio will be eager to spin their magic in their upcoming maiden Test match against the World’s No 1 side India. Afghanistan needed to get off to a steady start.

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It was never going to be a match-winning total and in the end, Afghanistan made light work of the target set by Bangladesh. The opening duo of Mohammad Shehzad and Usman Ghani provided a brisk start to Afghanistan.

Shehzad, in particular, struck some delightful shots to get going. He was eventually dismissed for 24 off 18 deliveries by Abu Hider.

Both the openers fell in quick succession. However, by then, the openers had got Afghanistan off to a steady start. Samiullah Shenwari started the resurrecting job for Afghanistan. He scored a brilliant 49 off 41 deliveries which included a couple of fours and three sixes. It was some sensible batting by Shenwari which eventually took Afghanistan to the victory target.

Mohammad Nabi provided the much-needed impetus for Afghanistan, as they completed a six wickets victory with seven deliveries to spare.

Nabi remained unbeaten on 31 off 15 deliveries which included a couple of fours and three sixes. For Bangladesh Mosaddek Hossain was the pick of the bowlers bagging a couple of wickets for 21 runs.

Brief Scores

Bangladesh 134/8 in 20 overs (Tamim Iqbal 43, Rashid Khan 4/12, Mohammad Nabi 2/19)
Afghanistan 135/4 in 18.5 overs (Samiullah Shenwari 49, Mohammad Nabi 31, Mosaddek Hossain 2/21)

Afghanistan won by six wickets (with seven deliveries to spare)

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