Tigers lose T20 series

FT ONLINE

Once again Afghanistan put up a brilliant all-round display that helped them clinch the three-match T20I series with 2-0 as they won the second match by six wickets over Bangladesh at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, India, on Tuesday.

Samiullah Shenwari, the top scorer of Afghanistan innings, blasted 41-ball off 49 runs as Afghanistan chase down the target for the loss of four wickets with seven balls to spare. Samiullah smashed two boundaries and three over boundaries before fell to Mosaddek Hossain.

Mohammad Nabi completed Afghan’s victory with a breezy unbeaten 15-ball off 31 runs that studded with three boundaries and two over boundaries after Afghan opener Mohammad Shezad (24) and Usman Ghani (21) contributed 38-run in the opening stand.

Mosaddek Hossain was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh side as he claimed two wickets conceding 21 runs.

Earlier, opted to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh scored a moderate total of 134 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs in their must-win-game following their 45-runs defeat in their first match of the series.

The Tigers suffered early batting jolt as they lost their way losing opener Liton Das in the first ball of second over off a Sapoor Zadran’s delivery. Hard hitting batsman Sabbir Rahman (13) also lasted a little as fell to Mohammad Nabi.

Opener Tamim Iqbal (43 off 48 ball), the top scorer of Bangladesh’s dilapidated innings’ kept his nerve cool as he shared an important 45 runs with Mushfiqur Rahim for the third wicket stand to take the team to a comfortable position before Nabi again struck on Tigers’ innings sending back to Rahim for 22.

Mahmudullah (14) then arrived in the crease, but he failed to carry his innings after being a clean bowled by Karim Jannat while skipper Shakib Al Hasan again failed to take the team’s responsibility as he perished to Afghan star spinner Rashid Khan shortly after the departure of Mahmudullah, leaving Bangladesh in a deep trouble.

Bangladesh could not fight back in the match as they lost their four wickets — Shakib, Tamim, Mosaddek and Soumya — in span of seven runs. All were taken by Afghan star Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan caused the major damage as he grabbed four Bangladesh wickets conceding only 12 runs. He was well supported by Mohammad Nabi who bagged two wickets giving away 19 runs.

The third and last match between the two sides will be held on Thursday (June 7) at the same venue.