Rashid’s Spin Heroics in Vain as Bangladesh Clinch Thrilling Win

Bangladesh put their Asia Cup disappointment behind them with a spirited performance to open their T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Despite Rashid Khan’s brilliant four-wicket haul, Nurul Hasan Sohan’s calm finishing touch guided the Tigers to a tense 4-wicket victory.

Bangladesh had earlier seen their Asia Cup campaign end with an 11-run defeat to Pakistan in the Super Four, where poor batting and sloppy fielding cost them dearly. But under head coach Phil Simmons, the Tigers regrouped quickly in the UAE and produced a fighting display in the series opener.

Batting first, Afghanistan managed 151 for 9. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40) and Mohammad Nabi (38) provided resistance, but Bangladesh’s bowlers kept things in check. Nasum Ahmed was miserly with 1 for 18, while Mustafizur Rahman picked up 1 for 24. Youngsters Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain chipped in with two wickets apiece, though both proved expensive.

In reply, Bangladesh got off to a flying start thanks to an outstanding opening stand. Tanzid Hasan Tamim (51 off 37) and Parvez Hossain Emon (54 off 35) stitched together a 109-run partnership, laying the perfect platform. Emon, however, survived two dropped chances on his way to a half-century before falling LBW to Fareed Ahmed.

From there, Afghanistan stormed back into the contest courtesy of Rashid Khan’s brilliance. The leg-spinner ripped through Bangladesh’s middle order, removing Saif Hassan for a duck, dismissing Tamim after his fifty, and then accounting for skipper Zakir Ali (6) and Shamim Hossain (0). In the space of just two overs, Bangladesh collapsed from 109 for 1 to 117 for 6, with Rashid finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 18.

When Nur Ahmed dismissed Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0), Bangladesh were in deep trouble at 118 for 7. But captain Nurul Hasan Sohan (unbeaten) stood firm, showing composure under pressure. Alongside Rishad Hossain, he added a crucial unbroken stand of 25 runs to see his team home. With 16 runs needed from the final 12 balls, Sohan struck two sixes in the 19th over off Azmatullah Omarzai before Rishad sealed the victory with a boundary, securing a thrilling 4-wicket win with five balls to spare.

Earlier, Afghanistan’s batting faltered after losing early wickets in the Powerplay, scoring just 33 runs while losing three top-order batters. Gurbaz and Nabi revived the innings, but Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling never allowed them to cut loose.

For Bangladesh, the win marked an impressive start to the new series after their Asia Cup heartbreak, showing resilience with both bat and ball.

Match Summary:
Afghanistan – 151/9 (20 overs): Gurbaz 40, Nabi 38; Rishad 2/30, Tanzim 2/33, Nasum 1/18, Mustafizur 1/24
Bangladesh – 155/6 (19.1 overs): Emon 54, Tamim 51, Sohan (not out); Rashid 4/18, Fareed 1/27, Noor 1/25
Bangladesh won by 4 wickets (lead 1-0 in series).