Bangladesh capped off a flawless T20 series against Afghanistan with another commanding all-round display, sealing a 3-0 Banglawash in Sharjah on 5 October. And once again, it was Saif Hassan who rose to the occasion with a match-winning knock.
After signs of inconsistency in the earlier games, Jaker Ali’s side produced their most complete performance of the series. Their bowlers set the tone by restricting Afghanistan to 143 for 9, before Saif’s unbeaten 64 powered Bangladesh to a six-wicket victory with 11 balls remaining.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan appeared on course for a total below 130 after slipping to 98 for 8. But Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s unbeaten 23 off 18 balls, his career-best T20 score, pushed them to 143 for 9. Mohammad Saifuddin led the way for Bangladesh with figures of 3 for 15, while Nasum Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib chipped in with two wickets each.
Sharp catching and disciplined bowling defined Bangladesh’s effort, with every bowler maintaining pressure throughout the innings.
Bangladesh’s reply began cautiously, with Mujeeb starting with a maiden over. Parvez Hossain Emon struck a six and a four before falling for 14, caught by Rashid Khan off Azmatullah Omarzai. That brought Saif to the crease and the momentum shifted immediately.
Alongside Tanzid Hasan, Saif rebuilt confidently, taking the score to 79 for 1 at the halfway mark. The pair added 55 runs off 39 balls, punishing Afghanistan’s spinners with clean hitting. Tanzid eventually departed for 33 off 33 balls, caught by Ibrahim Zadran off Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Saif, however, was unmoved. After playing out a quiet over from Rashid Khan, he launched back-to-back sixes off Bashir Ahmad to reach his fifty in just 32 deliveries. Even as Mujeeb removed Jaker Ali (10) and Shamim Hossain (0) in consecutive balls, Saif ensured there were no nerves in the chase.
With Nurul Hasan (10*) at the other end, Saif sealed victory in style, finishing unbeaten on 64 off 38 balls including seven sixes and two fours. Fittingly, it was Nurul who hit the winning six to wrap up the Banglawash.
