Tri-Nation T20 Series: Tigers restrict Afghanistan to 138

Afghanistan scored 138 for 7 in 20 overs in their last league match of the Tri-Nation T20 Series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first. But they failed to execute the bowling plan in a better manner in the very beginning of the innings.

Afghanistan managed a decent start as their two openers posted 75 runs in the first wicket stand in 9.3 overs. But while going to 100 from 75, they lost five wickets, which eventually prevented them from posting a big total.

In the second over of the innings, Mahmudullah Riyad missed an easy catch off Shafiul Islam ball, and thus Bangladesh missed the chance of an early breakthrough.

Coming to bowl in the 10th over, Afif Hossain bagged two wickets removing Hazratullah Zazai and Asghar Afghan. Zazai posted 47 off 35, Asghar suffered a duck.

Afif did not spend any run in his first over and took two wickets. This imperious show of Afif put Afghanistan’s batting in immense pressure.

One over later, Shakib Al Hasan removed Afghanistan’s most experienced batsman Mohamad Nabi for only four runs.

At the end of 15 overs, Afghanistan were 107 for 5, and in the last five overs, they scored only 31 runs losing two more wickets.

Zazai was the highest runs scorer for Afghanistan hitting 47 while his opening partner Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit 29.

For Bangladesh, Afif bagged two wickets, while Shakib, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shafiul Islam and Mustafiuzr Rahman took one wicket each.

Both of Bangladesh and Afghanistan already reached the final of the event, which will be played on September 24 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.