Full Highlights | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh | T20I Series 2025 | Match 01 | ACB | 311K
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh – 1st T20I: A Thriller in Sharjah
In a pulsating opener to their three‑match T20I series in the UAE, Bangladesh edged out Afghanistan by 4 wickets with 8 balls to spare, thanks to gutsy performances and late composure under pressure. Outlook India+3ESPN.com+3ESPN.com+3 The match had drama, big hits, a mid‑innings collapse, and a last‑over twist — everything a cricket fan craves. Outlook India+2ESPN.com+2
Toss and Conditions
Winning the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat first — a decision shaped by the Sharjah pitch, which tends to assist spinners and slow bowlers in the second half of the innings. Outlook India+3Outlook India+3NDTV Sports+3 The wicket had the customary dry, low bounce that demanded patience, especially from the middle‑order batters. NDTV Sports+1
Afghanistan Innings: Early Wobbles, Late Fight
Afghanistan’s top order never truly got settled. The innings began shakily — Ibrahim Zadran fell for 15 off 10 to Nasum Ahmed, and Sediqullah Atal fell early (10) as well, leaving the Afghan side at 31/2. Outlook India+2ESPN.com+2
However, Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a positive knock, scoring 40 (31 balls) and injecting some momentum into the innings. ESPN.com+2ESPN.com+2 For a while, it seemed Afghanistan might post a challenging total. ESPN.com+1
The middle overs, though, told a different tale. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals, including a few soft edges and tight dismissals. Afghanistan stuttered to 93/5 in quick time before staging a recovery. Outlook India+4ESPN.com+4Outlook India+4
In the latter part of the innings, Mohammad Nabi (38) and Sharafuddin Ashraf (17, not out)* put together a fighting stand, injecting acceleration and guiding Afghanistan to a competitive final total of 151/9 in their 20 overs. NDTV Sports+4Outlook India+4ESPN.com+4
From the Bangladesh perspective, Rishad Hossain (2/33) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (4/34) were the pick of the bowlers, with support from others keeping Afghanistan in check. ESPN.com+2Outlook India+2
Bangladesh Chase: Two Blazing Fifties
Chasing 152, Bangladesh got off to a dream start. The openers — Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan — launched a dazzling assault on the Afghan bowlers. In just 11.3 overs, they raced to 104 without loss, putting Bangladesh firmly in control. Outlook India+4Outlook India+4ESPN.com+4
Parvez Hossain Emon struck a fluent 54 off 37 balls, mixing timing and aggression with composure. Outlook India+4Outlook India+4ESPN.com+4
Tanzid Hasan matched the rise, hammering 51 off 37 balls, providing stern support at the other end. Outlook India+3ESPN.com+3ESPN+3
At this stage, many would have fancied Bangladesh to zip home, but that’s when Rashid Khan unleashed a spell to transform the game.
Rashid’s Magic & the Collapse
Rashid Khan’s spell was a turning point. He ripped through Bangladesh’s middle order in “two overs”, taking 4/18 and reducing the chase to a real contest. ESPN+3ESPN.com+3Outlook India+3
He first removed Emon (after a dropped chance earlier) to break the crucial opening stand. Outlook India+3ESPN.com+3Outlook India+3
Then, Saif Hassan, Jaker Ali, and Shamim Hossain fell in ensuing deliveries — the batters edged or misread the leg‑spin variations. NDTV Sports+4ESPN.com+4Outlook India+4
The slide was alarming: 6 wickets fell for just 9 runs over a short span. Bangladesh went from commanding control to serious danger. Outlook India+3ESPN.com+3Outlook India+3
To add to the drama, Noor Ahmad struck too, accounting for Tanzid Hasan, who departed for a duck. The Afghan spin duo had pulled the game back from the jaws of defeat. NDTV Sports+3ESPN.com+3Outlook India+3
With 27 needed off the last 18 balls, Bangladesh were staring down the barrel. But resilient finishes awaited.
Finishing Under Pressure: Nurul & Rishad Deliver
Bangladesh’s lower order, far from fancied, showed guts. Nurul Hasan (23 off 13 balls) and Rishad Hossain (not out) put together a composed partnership, absorbing pressure and pacing the chase astutely. NDTV Sports+3ESPN.com+3Outlook India+3
Nurul launched two sixes off Azmatullah Omarzai, helping swing momentum again. Outlook India+2Outlook India+2
Rishad Hossain calmly struck the winning runs in the 18.4th over, driving the ball past the infield. Bangladesh completed the chase at 153/6, with 8 balls remaining. ESPN.com+3Outlook India+3ESPN.com+3
The victory was sealed in dramatic fashion. Parvez Hossain Emon was adjudged Player of the Match, for laying the foundation. ESPN.com+2Outlook India+2
Turning Points & Key Observations
Explosive Opening
The blazing start by Bangladesh’s openers was the foundation. Their 100+ stand in just over 11 overs meant Bangladesh had the template of the chase early on. Outlook India+2ESPN.com+2Rashid’s Spell
Rashid Khan’s entrance changed momentum. His 4 wickets in two overs will be talked about — turning what looked like a walkover chase into a tense finish. Outlook India+3ESPN.com+3Outlook India+3Afghan Middle-Order Woes
Afghanistan’s middle order lacked solidity. Wickets kept tumbling, making them dependent on a late flurry to post a competitive total. Outlook India+3Outlook India+3NDTV Sports+3Lower-Order Resolve (Bangladesh)
Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain’s calm under pressure won the game. Their partnership showed maturity and awareness, particularly in those final tight overs. NDTV Sports+3Outlook India+3ESPN.com+3Momentum Shifts
The game swung wildly: from Bangladesh in control, to Afghanistan nearly snatching it back, to a Bangladesh finish. It was the kind of see‑saw that keeps fans on edge. Outlook India+3Outlook India+3ESPN.com+3
What Next?
With the series opener in the bag, Bangladesh lead 1–0 in the three‑match T20I series. Outlook India+2Outlook India+2 Afghanistan, for all their talent, will need to tighten up their middle order and improve execution under pressure, especially in run chases and collapse scenarios. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will derive confidence from this win, knowing they can survive even the best spin attacks on tricky surfaces.
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