Shoriful Islam leads Bangladesh to a series-clinching win over Afghanistan in the 2nd T20I

Bangladesh clinched a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh in UAE 2025 series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The win helped the Tigers seal the series, with Shoriful Islam emerging as the Player of the Match for his miserly bowling and crucial late runs.

Afghanistan post a competitive total

Put in to bat after Bangladesh elected to bowl, Afghanistan made steady progress despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Opener Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with a measured 38 off 37 balls, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz chipped in with a brisk 30 from 22 deliveries. Sediqullah Atal also contributed 23 runs with two towering sixes.

The middle-order provided late momentum, with Mohammad Nabi’s 20 off just 12 balls and Azmatullah Omarzai’s handy 19 guiding Afghanistan to 147/5 in their 20 overs. For Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed (2/25) and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (2/45) were among the wickets, while Shoriful was exceptional with figures of 1/13 from his four overs.

Also READ: Parvez Hossain Emon sizzles in Bangladesh’s emphatic win over Afghanistan in 1st T20I

Bangladesh’s chase goes down to the wire

Chasing 148, Bangladesh suffered early setbacks as Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon fell cheaply, leaving the side reeling at 8/2. Saif Hassan (18 off 14) showed some fight, but it was the middle order that pulled Bangladesh back into the contest. Jaker Ali Anik played a responsible knock of 32 off 25, while Shamim Hossain’s aggressive 33 from 22 balls and captain Nurul Hasan’s quickfire 31 off 21 kept the chase alive.

The match, however, remained tense as Afghanistan’s bowlers struck back at regular intervals. Azmatullah Omarzai produced a brilliant spell, taking 4/23 in 3.1 overs, while Rashid Khan’s 2/29 kept the pressure on. With wickets tumbling, the lower order had to step up, and that’s exactly what they did. Shoriful’s vital 11 runs off 6 balls proved decisive as Bangladesh reached 150/8 in 19.1 overs, sealing a dramatic victory.

While Afghanistan’s spinners and Omarzai’s heroics almost turned the game in their favour, Bangladesh’s ability to hold their nerve under pressure stood out. Shoriful’s dual role—tight bowling early on and crucial runs at the end—earned him the Player of the Match award.

Bangladesh lead the 3 match T20I series 2-0 🔥#AFGvBAN #RashidKhan #BangladeshCricket pic.twitter.com/rwPbq5jFzy

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 4, 2025