When Nurul Hasan and Shoriful Islam steadied the innings, the Bangladesh national cricket team edged past the Afghanistan national cricket team by two wickets in a nail‑biting finish at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 3 October 2025. The clash, part of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh T20I 2Sharjah, gave Bangladesh an unassailable 2‑0 lead in a three‑match series and hinted at a possible clean sweep.
Series backdrop and why the match mattered
Both sides arrived in the United Arab Emirates with contrasting agendas. Bangladesh, fresh from a comfortable chase of 152 in the opening game, were looking to cement their reputation as a T20 chase‑machine ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Afghanistan, on the other hand, had a point to prove; a win would keep the series alive and boost confidence after a mixed summer of cricket.
Sharjah, a neutral venue that has hosted countless high‑stakes encounters, added an extra layer of pressure. The pitch offered a balanced contest – a little seam for the bowlers and enough bounce for the batsmen to go airborne.
Afghanistan’s innings: A solid start turned shaky
Winning the toss, the Afghanistan national cricket team elected to bat. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave Bangladesh a bright start, with Gurbaz blasting a quick 30 off 22 balls.
But the breakthrough came at 45/1 when Azmatullah Omarzai struck with figures of 4/23 in just 3.1 overs, dismantling the middle order. The Afghan side slumped to 147/5 after 20 overs – a modest total in today’s T20 landscape, yet one that promised a tricky chase given the late‑order acceleration.
- Top scorer: Ibrahim Zadran 38 (31 balls)
- Best bowler: Azmatullah Omarzai 4/23
- Afghanistan’s run‑rate: 7.35 runs per over
Bangladesh’s chase: From wobble to win
The chase began poorly. Early wickets fell – Tanzid Hasan (2 off 7) and Parvez Hossain Emon (2 off 5) made it 15/2. Saif Hassan added another two, leaving Bangladesh teetering at 80/4 after 10.5 overs.
Enter Jaker Ali. The young left‑hander steadied the ship with 32 off 25 balls, pushing the score to 102/5. Just when momentum seemed to dip, Shamim Hossain arrived and smashed 33 off 22, taking Bangladesh within 46 runs of the target with 35 balls to go.
The final partnership – Nurul Hasan (31* off 21) and Shoriful Islam (11* off 6) – was a textbook finish. They added the required 28 runs in just five balls, sealing a 150/8 victory with 4 balls left.
- Bangladesh’s top scorer: Nurul Hasan 31* (21 balls)
- Crucial partnership: 28 runs off 5 balls
- Winning runs: Shoriful Islam’s six‑run boundary
Stat sheet: Who shone and who slipped
Bangladesh’s bowlers were disciplined. Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain each claimed two wickets, choking Afghanistan’s middle order.
For Afghanistan, the standout was again Azmatullah Omarzai. His spell kept the run‑rate in check and gave his side a fighting chance. However, a lack of depth after 5 wickets meant the lower order could not accelerate.
What the series win means for Bangladesh
Securing the series with a game to spare is a morale boost for Bangladesh ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup later this year. The side has shown an ability to handle pressure, especially in low‑target chases – a skill that often separates champions from pretenders.
Coach Jonathan Trott praised the batting depth, noting that “having three players capable of finishing under pressure makes us a tough outfit to beat.” The win also sends a message to regional rivals that Bangladesh’s batting order is no longer a liability.
Afghanistan’s takeaways and plans
Afghanistan will head back to the drawing board. The team’s bowlers did their job, but the batting collapse after 45/1 exposed a fragile top order. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (not marked – first mention was earlier) admitted, “We need to finish our innings, not just start well.”
With the final T20I still on the calendar, the Afghans have a chance to salvage pride. A win would at least bring the series home 2‑1, and more importantly, provide crucial match practice before the World Cup qualifiers.
Looking ahead: The decisive third T20I
The third and final match is set for 5 October 2025 at the same venue. Bangladesh will likely stick with the winning combination that delivered the chase, while Afghanistan may tweak the top order, possibly promoting Rahmanullah Gurbaz to open.
Fans can expect another close finish – the pitch has taken only a handful of wickets so far, and both sides have shown they can score freely. If Bangladesh continues its composure under pressure, a clean sweep looks plausible; if Afghanistan finds the missing middle‑order link, a surprise result isn’t out of the question.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this series win affect Bangladesh’s World Cup prospects?
The 2‑0 lead boosts Bangladesh’s confidence and highlights their ability to chase modest totals under pressure – a trait essential for success in the high‑stakes environment of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Who were the standout performers for Afghanistan?
Bowler Azmatullah Omarzai stole the spotlight with a four‑wicket haul (4/23). Batsman Ibrahim Zadran also contributed a solid 38 runs, keeping Afghanistan competitive.
What were the key moments that turned the match in Bangladesh’s favour?
The partnership between Shamim Hossain (33*) and Nurul Hasan (31*) steadied the chase after early wickets, and the final 28‑run stand between Nurul Hasan and Shoriful Islam sealed the win with just five balls remaining.
Will Afghanistan change their lineup for the final match?
Team management hinted at reshuffling the opening pair, possibly promoting Rahmanullah Gurbaz to start, while retaining the bowling unit that performed well in the first two games.
When and where is the decisive third T20I?
The final showdown is scheduled for 5 October 2025 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
October 12, 2025 AT 03:36
Oh wow, Bangladesh snatched another win like it’s a daily tea‑break, huh?? Who needs a World Cup when you’ve got last‑over fireworks every single time??