With a dazzling display, Saif Hasan smashed seven sixes in a destructive innings, leading Bangladesh to a clean sweep over Afghanistan.
The previous two matches had offered some competitive moments, with Bangladesh’s shaky batting giving glimpses of excitement. This time, however, Saif Hasan allowed no such drama. Returning to the team via the Asia Cup, he further enhanced his growing reputation with a breathtaking innings. Every six he struck shattered Afghanistan’s hopes.
In the final T20 at Sharjah, Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by six wickets, completing the whitewash.
Saif Hasan’s unbeaten 64 off 38 balls, including seven sixes, made him the hero for Bangladesh. Having already delivered memorable innings against Sri Lanka and India in the Asia Cup, he added another standout performance to his record.
The foundation for Bangladesh’s victory was laid by their bowlers at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium. Following totals of 151 and 147 in the first two matches, Afghanistan was restricted to 143 runs this time. Saif’s destructive batting carried Bangladesh to the target with 12 balls to spare.
In the four bilateral series between the two nations, Bangladesh now has two wins, Afghanistan one, and one ended in a draw.
Bangladesh’s chase began sluggishly, scoring just 3 runs in the first two overs and 21 in the next two. Parvez Hossain Emon’s nervous innings (14 off 16) ended quickly.
Once Saif came to the crease, he immediately showcased his power, hitting three sixes in his first four scoring shots.
Tanzid’s start was a bit shaky, surviving one chance after being caught on 7 runs. He built a 55-run partnership with Saif but could not convert it into a big score, getting out for 33 off 33 balls.
Saif, however, kept Bangladesh on top. After Tanzid’s dismissal, he launched a sensational six over the stadium. Mujib’s last two deliveries removed Zaker Ali (10) and Shamim Hossain (0). Saif reached fifty in just 32 balls with consecutive massive sixes, one more following which landed in the stands. Nurul Hasan Sohan’s six ended the match.
Afghanistan, having lost the toss and put in to bat, couldn’t settle their opening pair. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran departed quickly after scoring only 20 runs in the first two overs. Shariful Islam accounted for Zadran, marking the sixth time in eight international encounters he has dismissed the batsman.
Gurbaz fell to Nasum Ahmed’s delivery, Wafiullah Tarakhil was bowled by Saif Uddin, and Mohammad Nabi was brilliantly trapped by Nasum. Rashid Khan tried to make an impact but was contained after one four and one six by Tanzim Hasan, followed immediately by Abdullah Ahmedzai’s dismissal. Afghanistan reached just 140 for 8 before a late ninth-wicket partnership of 34 runs between Darvish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai added some resistance.
Rasooli scored 32 off 29 balls, while Mujib remained unbeaten with his career-best 23.
Brief Scores
- Afghanistan: 20 overs 143/9 (Gurbaz 12, Ibrahim 7, Atal 28, Tarakhil 11, Rasooli 32, Omarzai 3, Nabi 1, Rashid 12, Ahmedzai 0, Mujib 23*, Bashir 2*; Shariful 4-0-33-1, Nasum 4-0-24-2, Tanzim 4-0-24-2, Saif Uddin 3-0-15-3, Saif Hasan 1-0-6-0, Rishad 4-0-39-1)
- Bangladesh: 18 overs 144/4 (Parvez 14, Tanzid 33, Saif 64*, Zaker 10, Shamim 0, Sohan 10*; Mujib 4-0-26-2, Omarzai 3-0-12-1, Bashir 3-0-38-0, Rashid 4-1-13-0, Ahmedzai 4-0-50-1)
Result: Bangladesh won by 6 wickets
Man of the Match: Saif Hasan
