Bangladesh take 2-0 lead in UAE T20I series against Afghanistan

Bangladesh sealed a 2-0 victory over Afghanistan in a three-match T20 international series in the United Arab Emirates, taking the first two games at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 2 and 3 and leaving the hosts fighting to avoid a whitewash in the series finale on Sunday. Bangladesh chased down modest targets in both matches, prevailing by four wickets in the opener and by two wickets in the second encounter to clinch the series with a match to spare.

Afghanistan batted first in both games and posted competitive totals in the 145 to 152 range but were unable to defend them. In the first match Afghanistan made 151 for 9, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scoring for the home side and Mohammad Nabi providing a late cameo. Bangladesh’s openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan Tamim put on a 95-run stand that set the platform for the chase; both batters reached half-centuries. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan produced a match-turning spell with four wickets, but Bangladesh’s lower order held firm and an unbroken late partnership from Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain sealed a victory with eight balls remaining.

The second T20I followed a similar pattern. Afghanistan posted 147 for...