Bangladesh pulled off a nerve-wracking two-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the 2nd T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 3, 2025. Chasing a modest 148, the visitors stumbled to 129/8 before Nurul Hasan (31*) and Shoriful Islam (11*) held their nerve to seal the win with five balls remaining. The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh clash kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final moments.
The victory gave Bangladesh an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, showcasing their ability to win close contests under pressure.
Match Overview: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh at Sharjah
Playing at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium under lights, Afghanistan posted 147/5 after Bangladesh captain Jaker Ali won the toss and elected to field. What seemed like a straightforward chase quickly turned into a thriller as Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Azmatullah Omarzai’s career-best figures, made Bangladesh fight for every run.
The 2025/26 season encounter was part of the Afghanistan v Bangladesh T20I series, with both teams looking to build momentum ahead of upcoming international commitments.
Afghanistan’s Innings: Steady Start, Strong Finish
Afghanistan began cautiously during the powerplay, reaching 35/0 after six overs. Openers Sediqullah Atal (23 off 19) and Ibrahim Zadran (38 off 37) provided a solid foundation with a 55-run partnership. Zadran anchored the innings with three boundaries and a six before falling in the 11th over.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz injected urgency with a quickfire 30 off 22 balls, striking at 136.36. However, Bangladesh’s spinners Nasum Ahmed (2/25) and Rishad Hossain (2/45) applied the brakes in the middle overs, reducing Afghanistan to 90/4.
The game’s complexion changed during the death overs when Mohammad Nabi unleashed his experience. The veteran smashed 20 off just 12 deliveries, including two fours and a six, while Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten on 19. Their unbroken 29-run partnership for the sixth wicket pushed Afghanistan to a respectable 147/5.
Rishad Hossain was expensive, conceding 45 runs from his four overs despite taking two wickets. Shoriful Islam was the standout bowler with 1/13 from four overs, maintaining an economy of just 3.25.
Bangladesh’s Chase: From Cruise Control to Crisis
Bangladesh’s pursuit of 148 started disastrously. Azmatullah Omarzai struck twice in his opening spell, dismissing both Tanzid Hasan (2) and Parvez Hossain Emon (2) to leave Bangladesh reeling at 16/2 in the fourth over.
Saif Hassan (18 off 14) provided brief resistance with two sixes, but his dismissal by Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the fifth over left Bangladesh at 24/3 during the powerplay. The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh scorecard at drinks showed Bangladesh precariously placed at 74/3 after 10 overs.
Captain Jaker Ali (32 off 25) and Shamim Hossain (33 off 22) then staged a crucial recovery. Their 56-run fourth-wicket stand brought Bangladesh back into contention, with both batsmen striking two boundaries and two sixes each. The partnership shifted momentum decisively toward the visitors.
However, Afghanistan’s spinners—Rashid Khan (2/29) and Noor Ahmad (1/40)—triggered another collapse. Bangladesh lost five wickets for just 49 runs, sliding from 80/3 to 129/8. Azmatullah Omarzai completed his four-wicket haul, finishing with remarkable figures of 4/23 from 3.1 overs.
The Finish: Nurul Hasan Holds His Nerve
With 21 runs needed from 18 balls and only two wickets remaining, the match hung in the balance. Nurul Hasan, unbeaten on 31 off 21 balls, found an unlikely ally in number ten Shoriful Islam.
The pair added 21 crucial runs, with Shoriful hitting two boundaries in his brief cameo of 11 off 6 balls. Nurul finished the job with three sixes and a four, displaying remarkable composure under pressure. Bangladesh crossed the line at 150/8 in 19.1 overs, sparking celebrations in their dugout.
Scoreboard Summary
Afghanistan Innings
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran | 38 | 37 | 3 | 1 | 102.70 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 30 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 136.36 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 23 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 121.05 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 20* | 12 | 2 | 1 | 166.66 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 19* | 17 | 0 | 1 | 111.76 |
| Total | 147/5 | 20 overs | RR: 7.35 |
Bangladesh Innings
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamim Hossain | 33 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 150.00 |
| Jaker Ali | 32 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 128.00 |
| Nurul Hasan | 31* | 21 | 1 | 3 | 147.61 |
| Saif Hassan | 18 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 128.57 |
| Shoriful Islam | 11* | 6 | 2 | 0 | 183.33 |
| Total | 150/8 | 19.1 overs | RR: 7.82 |
Last 6 Overs Run Chart (Bangladesh)
| Overs | Runs | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| 14-15 | 16 | Shamim Hossain dismissed, 102/5 |
| 15-16 | 14 | Pressure building |
| 16-17 | 6 | Nasum Ahmed bowled by Rashid Khan |
| 17-18 | 7 | Saifuddin and Rishad dismissed |
| 18-19 | 13 | Nurul-Shoriful partnership begins |
| 19-20 | 8* | Match sealed with 5 balls remaining |
Player of the Match Contenders
- Azmatullah Omarzai — 19* (17) & 4/23, outstanding all-round display
- Nurul Hasan — 31* (21), match-winning knock under pressure
- Shamim Hossain — 33 (22), crucial middle-order contribution
Match Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I |
| Date | October 3, 2025 |
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Toss | Bangladesh (elected to field) |
| Afghanistan | 147/5 (20 overs) |
| Bangladesh | 150/8 (19.1 overs) |
| Result | Bangladesh won by 2 wickets |
| Series | Bangladesh leads 2-0 |
| Player Debuts | Wafiullah Tarakhil (Afghanistan) |
Post-Match Reactions
While official quotes weren’t immediately available, Bangladesh’s dressing room erupted in celebration after securing the series. Afghanistan will rue their inability to defend a total that looked competitive on a sluggish Sharjah surface.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s exceptional bowling performance demonstrated Afghanistan’s fighting spirit, but their batsmen’s inability to post a bigger total ultimately cost them the match.
What’s Next?
With the series already decided, the third and final T20I becomes a dead rubber, though both teams will be eager to end on a high note. Bangladesh will look to complete a clean sweep, while Afghanistan needs to regroup and find answers to their batting inconsistencies.
The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh result highlights Bangladesh’s growing reputation as skilled chasers in pressure situations, even when their top order falters.
Conclusion
This Afghanistan vs Bangladesh encounter at Sharjah delivered everything cricket fans could ask for—early wickets, crucial partnerships, late drama, and a nail-biting finish. Bangladesh’s victory showcased their depth and resilience, while Afghanistan proved they can compete fiercely even in defeat. The match will be remembered as one of the most thrilling T20Is of the 2025/26 season.