Rashid’s 4-for takes Afghanistan to win
DEHRADUN: Rashid Khan has been an enigma for the touring Bangladesh team. Backed by a matchwinning spell in the first T20 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Dehradun on Sunday, 19-year-old legspinner continued to be on the rampage, steering Afghanistan to a 2-0 series victory by claiming four wickets for just 12 runs in the second game here.
Afghanistan rattled Bangladesh with a six-wicket win to stamp their authority in the three-match series on Tuesday. The unassailable lead would give the new entrants in the longer format a boost ahead of their historic first Test against India.
Rashid’s clinical spell in the 16th over turned the fortunes in Afghanistan’s favour when he bagged three wickets, removing Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Mosaddek Hossain to put pressure on Bangladesh.
While Rashid’s bowling heroics helped Afghanistan restrict Bangladesh to 134/8 in 20 overs, Samiullah Shenwari‘s 41-ball 49 ensured the ‘hosts’ achieved the target with seven balls to spare.
Batting at number 5, Mohammed Nabi finished off the match by hitting a six. He remained unbeaten, scoring a 15-ball 31 which included three fours and two sixes. Earlier, Afghanistan openers, Mohammed Shahzad (24) and Usman Ghani (21) set the tone for the chase .
Led by Abu Hider’s late surge in the final two overs, Bangladesh made 134/8 in 20 overs.
Unlike the previous game, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan chose to bat after winning the toss. Seasoned Tamim Iqbal showed his experience and resilience, scoring a useful 48-ball 43.
The Afghanistan bowlers kept a tight line and length and did not allow the Bangladesh batsmen to cut loose. Mushfiqur Rahim’s 18-ball 22 propelled Bangladesh but it was not enough.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 134/8 in 20 overs (Tamim 43, Rashid 4/12); Afghanistan 135/4 in 18.5 overs (Shenwari 49, Nabi 31*)