**Bangladesh Pip Afghanistan in 2nd T20I to Seal Series Victory**
*By Rajdeep Saha | October 4, 2025, 12:38 am*
Shoriful Islam was the star of the show as Bangladesh edged out Afghanistan by two wickets in a thrilling second T20I at Sharjah. This win gave Bangladesh an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Despite a middle-order batting collapse, crucial contributions from Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, and Nurul Hasan helped Bangladesh secure a tense victory. Chasing 148 runs, Bangladesh finished at 150/8 in 19.1 overs.
### Bangladesh Collapse After Promising Start
Bangladesh’s innings suffered a major setback as they slid from 102/4 to 129/8 in just four overs. Noor Ahmad dismissed Shamim Hossain for a gritty 33, while Nasum Ahmed also fell after a promising start.
Azmatullah Omarzai struck twice in the 18th over, leaving Bangladesh needing 19 runs from the last two overs with only two wickets in hand.
### Final Push: Nurul and Shoriful Guide Bangladesh Home
Nurul Hasan kept Bangladesh’s hopes alive by smashing a six off Noor Ahmad and then taking a crucial single. Shoriful Islam followed with a boundary, reducing the target to just two runs in the final over.
Taking charge under pressure, Shoriful hit Omarzai’s first ball of the over through the ground for the winning runs. Nurul remained unbeaten on 31 off 21 balls, while Shoriful contributed an important 11* off six deliveries.
### Batting Resilience: Shamim and Jaker Steady the Ship
Afghanistan got off to the perfect start with Azmatullah Omarzai dismissing Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain early. Although Saif Hassan hit a couple of sixes, he was dismissed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the fifth over.
However, Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali put together a steady 56-run partnership for the fourth wicket to stabilise the innings. Jaker was eventually dismissed by Rashid Khan for the second time in this series.
### Afghanistan’s Bowling Efforts Restrict Bangladesh
Earlier, Afghanistan’s openers Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal gave captain Rashid Khan the ideal start. Atal was caught at long-on for 23 after blasting two sixes off Rishad Hossain in the eighth over.
Nasum Ahmed then dismissed Zadran for 38 runs off 37 balls. Wafiullah Tarakhil fell cheaply for just one, also caught at long-on. Afghanistan were reduced to 90/4 and later 118/5 before finishing at 147/5.
### Azmatullah Omarzai Shines for Afghanistan
Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a neat all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 19 and taking four crucial wickets. He recorded figures of 4/23, marking his second four-wicket haul in T20 Internationals.
Omarzai has rapidly climbed to 39 wickets at an average of 29.02 in T20I cricket.
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Bangladesh’s victory in the second T20I puts them firmly in control of the series, with one match remaining. The thrilling finish highlighted the fighting spirit of the Bangladesh middle order and the impact of Shoriful Islam under pressure.
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