The inaugural T20 encounter between Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the current UAE series provided an edge-of-the-seat thriller characterized by momentum changes, individual brilliance, and strategic twists. Played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 2 October 2025, the contest had Bangladesh complete the chase of Afghanistan’s score with four wickets to spare and two balls remaining.

Toss and Team Modifications: Afghanistan Decides to Bat First

Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan captain, won the toss and decided to bat. The side made significant modifications, adding Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmed, and Mohammad Ishaq while releasing Karim Janat and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Bangladesh, with stand-in skipper Jaker Ali leading the team, added left arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and omitted Towhid Hridoy. Soumya Sarkar did not play because of visa problems.

Afghanistan’s Innings: Competitive Total with Late Collapse

Afghanistan scored 151 for 9 in 20 overs.

•           Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a solid start

•           Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai supplied important middle order runs

•           Bangladesh bowlers, particularly Mustafizur Rahman and Nasum Ahmed, tightened the strangle in the death overs

Afghanistan lost its momentum in the last five overs despite a good start, scoring just 34 runs while losing important wickets.

Bangladesh Chase: Emon Steers the Ship

Bangladesh chased the target in 18.4 overs at 153 for 6.

•Parvez Hossain Emon was the batter of the day with 54 off 37 deliveries

•There was early support from Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan

•Jaker Ali steadied the middle overs with cool leadership

•The bowlers of Afghanistan could not restrict the scoring rate, particularly in overs 15 to 18

Emon was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.

Tactical Highlights and Turning Points

•           Strengthening their spin attack paid off for Bangladesh as Nasum Ahmed restricted the middle overs

•           Afghanistan’s collapse in the final overs came at a cost

•           Bangladesh’s aggressive wicket-to-wicket running put pressure on the opposition

•           Rashid Khan’s captaincy was aggressive but not supported by the bowlers towards the finish

Series Outlook: Bangladesh Leads 1–0

With this victory, Bangladesh is currently leading the three match T20 series 1–0. The second match will be key for Afghanistan to recover and remain in the series. Both sides are likely to readjust their middle order lineups and bowing approaches.