In a match that swung wildly under the Sharjah lights, Bangladesh pulled off a four-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the first T20I of their series on Thursday. Afghanistan, opting to bat first after winning the toss, stumbled early, losing four wickets for just 43 runs. Yet, they clawed back somewhat, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz's steady 40 off 31 balls and Mohammad Nabi's explosive 38 from 22 deliveries, posting a total of 151 for 8 in their 20 overs.
Bangladesh's chase started promisingly. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon forged a commanding 109-run partnership, with Hasan smashing 51 off 37 and Emon notching 54 from the same number of balls. It looked like a stroll to victory at that point. However, the plot twisted sharply. Afghanistan's Rashid Khan struck back fiercely, claiming four wickets in a devastating spell that saw Bangladesh slump, losing six for just nine runs. The middle order crumbled under the pressure, leaving the visitors teetering on the edge.
Indeed, it was a collapse that exposed some fragility in Bangladesh's lineup, reminiscent of their past inconsistencies in crunch moments. But resilience shone through in the end. Narul Hasan, with a blistering 23 off nine balls, and Rishad Hossain's 14 from nine, steered them over the line with eight balls remaining. Bangladesh finished at 153 for 6 in 18.4 overs, a win that boosts their confidence heading into the series.
Afghanistan's bowlers, led by Khan's haul, showed promise but couldn't quite seal the deal. Nabi's all-round effort was notable, yet the early batting woes proved costly. Moreover, the match highlighted how T20 cricket can turn on a dime, punishing the slightest lapse.
However, for both teams, this opener serves as a gritty reminder of the fine margins in international cricket. As the series unfolds, one wonders if Afghanistan can regroup and strike back.