Shakib Al Hasan. (Photo Source: Twitter)
After registering a thrilling win in the first T20I, Bangladesh once again locked horns in the second and final T20I of the series on Sunday, July 16, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, in Sylhet. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and invited Afghanistan to bat first. The decision proved to be correct as Bangladesh got the prized scalp of the dangerous opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over itself.
His partner Harzratullah Zazai (4 off 5) also departed cheaply as Afghanistan lost their second wicket on 16 after 2.4 overs. The visitors were 39/2 after 7.2 overs when rain came pouring down and interrupted the game. As a result, the match was reduced to 17 overs per side on resumption.
Following the delay, Afghanistan lost three wickets more and were in all sorts of trouble at 67/5 after 11 overs. Seeing their side in disarray, Azmatullah Omarzai (25 off 21) and Karim Janat (20 off 15) got involved in a 42-run stand off 29 balls to help their side cross the 100-run mark. Afghanistan could only reach 116/7 in their allotted 17 overs.
Taskin Ahmed (3/33, 4 overs) was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh while Mustafizur Rehman (2/30, 3 overs) and Shakib Al Hasan (2/15, 3 overs) picked up two wickets each.
In reply, Bangladesh got off to a solid start with openers Litton Das (35 off 36) and Afif Hossain (24 off 20) adding 67 runs for the first wicket in 55 balls. However, Afghanistan clawed their way back into the game with three quick wickets of both the openers and Najmul Hossain Shanto (4 off 6) to leave Bangladesh reeling on 76/3 after 11 overs.
A steady 31-run stand between Towhid Hridoy (19 off 17) and Shakib Al Hasan (18* off 11) off 21 balls brought their side on the verge of victory. Shakib and Shamim Hossain (7* off 7) saw their team home, as they chased down the target in 16.1 overs and won the match by six wickets.
Mujeeb Ur Rehman (2/28) and Azmatullah Omarzai (2/17, 3 overs) were among the wickets for Afghanistan. With this win, Bangladesh clinched the T20I series by 2-0 and made a terrific comeback after losing the ODI series.
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions to Bangladesh’s emphatic win.
Here’s how fans reacted to the Bangladesh versus Afghanistan thrilling game:
Bangladesh win the second T20I against Afghanistan 👏
They win the series with a 2-0 margin!#BANvAFG 📝: https://t.co/VF9zR3P4C6 pic.twitter.com/ItlW4Df4dP
— ICC (@ICC) July 16, 2023
Congratulations Tigers!! 😍❤️
Bangladesh won by 6 wickets (5 balls left) & won the series by 2-0 🇧🇩🥰#BANvAFG #2ndT20I #SAH75 💜 pic.twitter.com/c8khCW3rcS
— Fans Of SAH75 (@fansofsah75) July 16, 2023
Shakib is miles ahead of other players in BD cricket team. We are extremely lucky. #BANvAFG
— Tanvir Rahman (@pritomtanvir) July 16, 2023
Thanks Shamim for no additional stress#BANvAFG #CricketTwitter
— lhc (@lhc_1990) July 16, 2023
Bangladesh clinch the T20 series winning the second one by 6 wickets. Bangladesh just too strong. Afghans have a lot to work on but especially concerning is their batting at the front. #BanvAfg
— Chris Murtagh (@Murtini2023) July 16, 2023
Whitewashed. Excellent performance throughout the series by young Bangladeshi players. #BANvAFG
— Nayon (@CricketProZone) July 16, 2023
I almost had a heart attack again today 😈 but thanks god😵#BANvAFG
— Nishat Rahman (@nishat_rahman) July 16, 2023
Shamim finished it off in style with a boundary and Bangladesh seal the series 🥳 #BANvAFG #CricketTwitter
— Haque 🇧🇩 (@midtownndriverr) July 16, 2023
Great day for Bangladesh cricket 🔥
Women team won for the 1st time against India in ODI cricket.
Men team won series for the 1st time against Afghanistan in T20 cricket.#BANvIND #BANvAFG
— Masum (@masum_twt) July 16, 2023
Bangladesh won the 6-wicket series against Afghanistan in the second T20i match. This is the third consecutive T20i series win at home. Congratulations Shakib Bahini.
Shakib 18* (11)
Litton 35 (36)
Afif 24 (20)
Hridoy 19 (17)#BANvAFG #win#Cricket #icc#bcb#t20i pic.twitter.com/oawZLM4T9e
— Md Ifran Ali Bijoy 🇧🇩 (@IfranAliBijoy20) July 16, 2023
List of Bangladeshi players who have been part of victories in more than 170+ matches:
1. Shakib Al Hasan (173)
2. Mushfiqur Rahim (172)
End of the list. #BANvAFG
— Nazmus Sajid Chowdhury (@nazmussajid) July 16, 2023
This Shakib-Hathuru duo is making Bangladesh a confident, stronger T20I side day by day. 👏🏻
Claiming 3️⃣ T20I series in a row! 💪🏻#BANvAFG pic.twitter.com/7PoB8KTHmk
— Omar Faruque (@OmarFar46196492) July 16, 2023