🏏 Towhid Hridoy Doubtful for 2nd T20I Against Afghanistan – Live Match Preview, Pitch & Weather Report
The ongoing Bangladesh vs Afghanistan T20I series 2025 has already provided fans with thrilling action, drama, and top-class performances. However, ahead of the 2nd T20I at Sharjah, Bangladesh have been dealt a potential setback as their in-form middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy remains doubtful due to illness.
In this comprehensive preview, we break down:
- ✅ Towhid Hridoy’s health update
- ✅ Probable Bangladesh vs Afghanistan playing XI
- ✅ Pitch & weather report for Sharjah Cricket Stadium
- ✅ Key players to watch out for
- ✅ Match prediction & fantasy cricket tips
🤒 Towhid Hridoy’s Health Update – Will He Play?
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy, known for his fearless stroke play and ability to stabilize the innings, missed the 1st T20I against Afghanistan due to fever.
- A team official confirmed that his availability for the 2nd T20I on September 3 will only be decided after medical assessment at the ground.
- Hridoy is currently on antibiotics and under constant observation of the team’s medical staff.
- Bangladesh’s chief physician, Debashish Chowdhury, mentioned that even though his fever has reduced, weakness may keep him sidelined.
👉 If Hridoy is absent again, Bangladesh’s middle order may feel vulnerable, putting extra pressure on senior players like Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, and Soumya Sarkar.
📊 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 1st T20I Recap
Before diving into the second clash, let’s revisit the action-packed 1st T20I:
- Afghanistan Batting: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40), Mohammad Nabi (38), and Rashid Khan (17*) helped Afghanistan reach 151/9 in 20 overs.
- Bangladesh Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam were economical, while spinners Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain controlled the middle overs.
- Bangladesh Batting: Tanzid Hasan (51) and Parvez Hossain Emon (54) gave Bangladesh a flying start with a 100-run opening stand. Despite a middle-order collapse, Nurul Hasan (23 off 13) guided the Tigers home.
- Result: Bangladesh won by 4 wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
🏟️ Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium has always been famous for high-scoring thrillers, but in recent years, the pitches here have slowed down, favoring spinners and accurate pacers.
- ✅ Batting early on: The new ball comes nicely onto the bat, allowing openers to score freely.
- ✅ Spin dominance: As the innings progresses, spinners get grip and turn, making shot-making difficult.
- ✅ Target score: A total of 160-170 is considered competitive.
- ✅ Chasing advantage: In recent matches, teams batting second have enjoyed more success due to dew.
👉 Expect both teams to pack their squads with spin-bowling all-rounders like Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Nasum Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain.
🌤️ Sharjah Weather Report – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Live 2nd T20I Live
- Date: September 3, 2025
- Location: Sharjah, UAE
- Weather: Hot and dry
- Temperature: Around 37°C in the afternoon, dropping to 30°C in the evening
- Humidity: Moderate (55-60%)
- Rain prediction: 0% chance of rain – a full match is expected
👉 With no rain interruptions, fans can expect a thrilling uninterrupted contest under lights.
🏏 Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI for 2nd T20I
Afghanistan are unlikely to make big changes, but they may look to strengthen their batting depth.
Probable XI:
- Ibrahim Zadran – Opening batter
- Sediqullah Atal – Aggressive opener
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) – Key top-order striker
- Darwish Rasooli – Middle-order stability
- Mohammad Ishaq (wk) – Wicketkeeper option
- Azmatullah Omarzai – Power-hitting all-rounder
- Mohammad Nabi – Veteran all-rounder
- Sharafuddin Ashraf – Left-arm spinner
- Rashid Khan (c) – Captain, leg-spinner
- Noor Ahmad – Mystery spinner
- Fareed Ahmad – Left-arm pace option
👉 Afghanistan may bring in an extra batter if they feel the middle order lacks experience.
🐯 Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI for 2nd T20I
The main question for Bangladesh is whether Towhid Hridoy will be fit to play. If not, they will rely on their all-rounders.
Probable XI:
- Tanzid Hasan – Explosive opener
- Parvez Hossain Emon – Aggressive partner
- Soumya Sarkar – Batting all-rounder
- Jaker Ali (c & wk) – Middle-order anchor
- Nurul Hasan (wk) – Finisher
- Mahedi Hasan – Spin-bowling all-rounder
- Shamim Hossain – Middle-order hitter
- Rishad Hossain – Leg-spinning all-rounder
- Mustafizur Rahman – Death-over specialist
- Shoriful Islam – Left-arm pacer
- Nasum Ahmed – Slow left-arm spinner
🔄 If Hridoy plays: He will slot into the middle order, likely replacing Saif Hassan or Shamim Hossain.
🌟 Key Players to Watch
🔥 Bangladesh
- Tanzid Hasan: Fresh from a match-winning half-century.
- Mustafizur Rahman: Still the best death bowler in Bangladesh’s squad.
- Rishad Hossain: Crucial leg-spinner who can trouble Afghan batters.
🔥 Afghanistan
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Afghanistan’s most explosive batter.
- Rashid Khan: Captain, spinner, and game-changer.
- Mohammad Nabi: Brings stability and experience in crunch situations.
📈 Head-to-Head Record – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan in T20Is
- Total matches played: 13
- Bangladesh wins: 6
- Afghanistan wins: 7
- Last 5 encounters: Bangladesh 3 – Afghanistan 2
👉 The rivalry is neck-and-neck, and both teams are evenly matched in conditions like Sharjah.
📊 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
- Bangladesh’s Game Plan: If Towhid Hridoy doesn’t recover, expect Bangladesh to lean heavily on Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Emon for a quick start. Spinners like Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain will be used aggressively in middle overs.
- Afghanistan’s Strategy: Afghanistan will likely bank on Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Nabi to choke runs after the powerplay. Gurbaz remains the key to setting a strong batting tone.
Tactical Battle:
- ✅ Bangladesh openers vs Afghan new-ball bowlers (Fareed Ahmad & Nabi’s powerplay overs).
- ✅ Rashid Khan vs Bangladesh middle order (especially if Hridoy is absent).
- ✅ Mustafizur Rahman vs Afghan power-hitters at the death.
- Series Impact: If Bangladesh win, they seal the series 2-0. If Afghanistan win, the decider in the 3rd T20I will be a blockbuster.
🔮 Match Prediction – Who Will Win the 2nd T20I?
Considering form, conditions, and team balance:
- Bangladesh Strengths: In-form openers, strong spin attack, experienced pacers.
- Afghanistan Strengths: Rashid Khan’s captaincy, Gurbaz’s explosive batting, spin trio (Rashid, Noor, Nabi).
👉 If Towhid Hridoy plays, Bangladesh will have a more stable middle order and could seal the series 2-0.
👉 If he misses out, Afghanistan may bounce back strongly with Rashid Khan leading the charge.
Prediction:
- 50-50 battle if Hridoy is absent.
- Slight advantage Bangladesh (55-45) if Hridoy plays.
🎯 Fantasy Cricket Tips – BAN vs AFG 2nd T20I
- Captain Choice: Rashid Khan / Tanzid Hasan
- Vice-Captain Choice: Rahmanullah Gurbaz / Mustafizur Rahman
- Must Picks: Mohammad Nabi, Rishad Hossain, Noor Ahmad
- Differential Pick: Soumya Sarkar (can contribute with bat & ball)
📰 Conclusion
The Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I 2025 in Sharjah promises to be another high-intensity contest. With Towhid Hridoy’s fitness still uncertain, Bangladesh will hope their openers deliver again, while Afghanistan will bank on Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to level the series.
👉 Regardless of Hridoy’s participation, cricket fans can expect a thrilling clash under Sharjah’s lights, full of twists, turns, and match-winning performances.
❓ FAQs – BAN vs AFG 2nd T20I
Q1. Will Towhid Hridoy play the 2nd T20I?
👉 His availability will be decided on match day after medical assessment. Chances remain 50-50.Q2. What time does the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I start?
👉 The match is scheduled for September 3, 2025 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, starting in the evening local time.Q3. What is the pitch report for Sharjah?
👉 Sluggish surface, favoring spinners. A score of 160-170 is competitive. Chasing teams have the edge due to dew.Q4. Who are the key players to watch?
👉 Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain.👉 Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi.