Afghanistan sealed a memorable series win by beating Bangladesh in the 2nd T20I played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dehradun just a few moments ago. It was a great performance by Rashid Khan who broke the backbone of Bangladesh batting line up again. Chasing the target, every batsman contributed to team success.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat first. Afghanistan Shapoor Zadran got the early wicket of Liton Das for 0. Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman played some positives strokes before Sabbir Rahman was dismissed by Mohammad Nabi. At the end of 6 overs, Bangladesh scored 42 for 2.
After the power play overs, the experienced pair of Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship with aggressive stroke play. Both of them added 45 runs for the 3rd wicket. After the wicket of Rahim wicket for 22, Rashid Khan again took centre stage with brilliant bowling picking wickets of well-set Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar and Mosaddek Hossain to put the Bangladesh batting under pressure again.
Abu Haider scored a quick fire 21 off 14 balls and helped Bangladesh post 134 for 8. For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan ripped Bangladesh batting line up taking 4 for 12.
Chasing 135 to win, Afghanistan openers Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani started on a steady note. Abu Haider picked the important wicket of Mohammad Shahzad for 24. Both of them added 38 runs for the 1st wicket. At the end of 6 overs, Afghanistan scored 38 for 1.
After the power play overs, the Bangladesh bowlers did not give Shenwari and Ghani to score runs easily. Usman Ghani was dismissed for 21 runs. Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai also went cheaply scoring just 4 runs.
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets to take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three match T20I series. #AFGvBAN #2ndT20I pic.twitter.com/nTERqX7pHl
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 5, 2018
Shenwari steadied the ship with some brilliant batting scoring 49 off 40 balls and getting out in the 18th over. Mohammad Nabi played a cameo knock remaining not out on 31 off 15 balls to give Afghanistan a famous 6 wicket win over test playing nation Bangladesh by 6 wickets and also seal the series with 7 balls to spare.
Win the series against Bangladesh with captain @AsgharStanikzai @rashidkhan_19 #Selfi #Dehradun @ACBofficials 🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/b9q2sU13bp
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) June 5, 2018
Afghanistan secured their first bilateral series win over Bangladesh.
Afghanistan 135 for 4 in 18.5 overs (Shenwari 49, Nabi 31*, Mosaddek Hossain 2/21) beat
Bangladesh 134 for 8 in 20 overs (Tamim Iqbal 43, Abu Haider 21*, Rashid Khan 4/12) by 6 wickets.
He's picking up Player of the Match awards just like he's picking up wickets – with alarming regularity!
Congratulations @rashidkhan_19! 👏#AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/ddTwAFUt22
— ICC (@ICC) June 5, 2018
The 3rd and final T20I of the series would be played on 7th June.