🏏 Bangladesh Clinch Series with Thrilling Win Over Afghanistan in Sharjah 2nd T20I 2025 Match Report & Analysis
🇧🇩 Bangladesh Triumph Again in Sharjah
Bangladesh continued their dominance over Afghanistan in the ongoing T20I series 2025, clinching a hard-fought two-wicket victory in the second match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. With this win, the Tigers secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, showcasing teamwork, grit, and composure under pressure.
Led by Nurul Hasan’s unbeaten 31 off 21 balls, and backed by a clinical bowling display from Shoriful Islam and Nasum Ahmed, Bangladesh chased down a tricky target of 148 with five balls to spare.
This win not only gave Bangladesh the series but also highlighted their steady rise as a consistent T20I unit, capable of handling spin-friendly Asian conditions and high-pressure finishes.
🏟️ Match Summary – BAN vs AFG 2nd T20I, Sharjah 2025
Match: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE
Date: October 3, 2025
Result: Bangladesh won by 2 wickets
Series: Bangladesh lead 2-0 (3-match series)
Player of the Match: Shoriful Islam (11* off 6 & 1/13 in 4 overs)
🚀 First Innings: Afghanistan Struggle to Capitalize After Strong Start
Afghanistan began brightly after being sent in to bat, with Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran providing a fluent 55-run opening partnership. The duo looked positive, taking calculated risks against Bangladesh’s pace attack.
However, the momentum shifted once Rishad Hossain removed Atal for 23 (19 balls, 2 sixes, 1 four). Soon after, Nasum Ahmed struck a crucial blow by dismissing Ibrahim Zadran (38 off 37) — Afghanistan’s top scorer.
From 55/0, Afghanistan suddenly found themselves reeling at 118/5 in the 17th over, losing key wickets in quick succession, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz (30 off 22), who was trapped by Shoriful Islam with a brilliant slower delivery.
The middle order faltered under pressure, but Azmatullah Omarzai (19)* and Mohammad Nabi (20 off 12)* stitched together a late 29-run partnership, pushing Afghanistan to a competitive 147/5 in 20 overs.
🔹 Afghanistan Batting Highlights:
- Ibrahim Zadran – 38 (37)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 30 (22)
- Mohammad Nabi – 20* (12)
- Azmatullah Omarzai – 19* (17)
🔹 Bangladesh Bowling Figures:
- Nasum Ahmed – 2/25 (4)
- Rishad Hossain – 2/45 (4)
- Shoriful Islam – 1/13 (4)
- Mustafizur Rahman – 0/40 (4)
- Saifuddin – 0/22 (4)
🏏 Second Innings: Bangladesh Hold Nerves in a Tense Chase
Chasing 148, Bangladesh got off to a shaky start. The Afghan new-ball duo of Azmatullah Omarzai and Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck early, reducing the Tigers to 24/3 in under five overs.
🧨 Early Setbacks
- Tanzid Hasan – c Rashid Khan b Omarzai (2 off 7)
- Parvez Hossain Emon – lbw b Omarzai (2 off 5)
- Saif Hassan – c Atal b Mujeeb (18 off 14)
The early dismissals brought captain Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain together. The pair rebuilt with patience and power, forming a 56-run stand for the fourth wicket that steadied the chase.
Jaker (32 off 25) played the anchor’s role, while Shamim (33 off 22) counter-attacked Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad with fearless stroke play.
However, once Jaker fell to Rashid in the 11th over, Afghanistan roared back into the game, picking wickets at regular intervals.
Despite the collapse, Nurul Hasan stood tall, guiding Bangladesh to victory with a calm unbeaten 31 off 21 balls, featuring three sixes and a four. His experience proved decisive as the lower order chipped in vital runs.
🔹 Bangladesh Batting Highlights:
- Shamim Hossain – 33 (22)
- Jaker Ali – 32 (25)
- Nurul Hasan – 31* (21)
- Shoriful Islam – 11* (6)
- Nasum Ahmed – 10 (11)
🔹 Afghanistan Bowling Figures:
- Azmatullah Omarzai – 4/23 (3.1)
- Rashid Khan – 2/29 (4)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 1/18 (4)
- Noor Ahmad – 1/40 (4)
- Nabi – 0/32 (3)
🏅 Player of the Match: Shoriful Islam – The Game Changer
Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.
He bowled a match-turning spell of 1/13 in 4 overs, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and maintaining a tight line in the powerplay. Later, his 11 off 6 balls* sealed the chase, proving his worth as a dependable lower-order finisher.
“It’s about backing myself and staying calm under pressure,” said Shoriful post-match.
“We knew 148 was chaseable if we stayed positive. The bowlers set it up beautifully.”
📊 Key Match Stats & Records
| Category | Bangladesh | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 150/8 | 147/5 |
| Highest Partnership | 56 (Jaker-Shamim) | 55 (Atal-Zadran) |
| Boundaries (4s/6s) | 10/10 | 8/7 |
| Strike Rate (Team) | 125.0 | 136.0 |
| Wickets by Spinners | 4 | 5 |
| Powerplay Score | 36/3 | 45/0 |
📈 Bangladesh’s win marked their third consecutive T20I victory over Afghanistan in Sharjah, strengthening their head-to-head advantage to 7-7 overall in T20Is.
🌍 Cricketory Insights & Expert Analysis
💬 1. Bangladesh’s Depth Shines Again
The win highlighted Bangladesh’s growing bench strength. Despite the absence of key players like Towhid Hridoy, others stepped up — particularly Nurul Hasan and Shoriful Islam. This adaptability is a key reason behind their recent rise in ICC T20I rankings.
💬 2. Afghan Batting Over-Reliant on Top Order
Afghanistan’s top three — Gurbaz, Zadran, and Atal — did the heavy lifting. Once they were dismissed, the scoring rate dipped drastically. Middle-order consistency remains an area of concern ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
💬 3. Rashid Khan’s Leadership Under Test
Rashid Khan was outstanding with the ball, but his bowling changes and field placements were questioned. Afghanistan’s inability to finish strong with the bat and tighten the middle overs cost them the match.
💬 4. Bangladesh’s Balanced Bowling Attack
The combination of left-arm pace and spin continues to deliver for Bangladesh. Nasum Ahmed’s variation and Shoriful’s discipline were key factors in keeping Afghanistan below 150 on a batting-friendly pitch.
💬 5. Powerplay Management Made the Difference
While Afghanistan scored freely early on, Bangladesh controlled the middle overs better. In contrast, the Afghan bowlers failed to build pressure after the first few wickets — allowing the Tigers to regain momentum.
✅ Cricketory Insight:
Bangladesh’s 2-0 lead marks their first-ever back-to-back T20I series wins in 2025. If they complete the whitewash, it could propel them to the top 6 in ICC T20I rankings, signaling their best-ever year in the format.🧩 Turning Points of the Match
1️⃣ Atal’s dismissal (7.5 ov): Broke Afghanistan’s rhythm after a solid start.
2️⃣ Gurbaz’s wicket by Shoriful: Key moment that slowed Afghanistan’s scoring rate.
3️⃣ Jaker-Shamim partnership: Stabilized Bangladesh after early collapse.
4️⃣ Rashid dismissing Jaker: Gave Afghanistan hope.
5️⃣ Nurul’s six in the 19th over: Shifted momentum decisively toward Bangladesh.
🌤️ Pitch & Weather Recap – Sharjah’s Slow Nature Tested Both Teams
The Sharjah pitch played typically slow, assisting spinners and rewarding accuracy. While the ball came onto the bat early, it became harder to hit through the line as the match progressed.
Weather conditions were dry and hot (35–37°C), but dew under lights slightly favored the chasing side — a factor that Bangladesh used to their advantage.
🧠 Expert Quote – Cricketory Exclusive
“This win proves Bangladesh’s growing maturity in T20 cricket. They’re no longer reliant on just a few stars. Their ability to close tight matches is a sign of progress.”
— Cricketory Sports Analyst, A. Rahman
🕹️ Fantasy Cricket Review (BAN vs AFG 2nd T20I)
🏆 Top Fantasy Performers:
- Shoriful Islam – 74 points
- Nurul Hasan – 68 points
- Rashid Khan – 60 points
- Azmatullah Omarzai – 57 points
- Shamim Hossain – 55 points
🎯 Ideal Dream11 Picks:
Captain: Shoriful Islam
Vice-Captain: Nurul Hasan
Differential: Nasum Ahmed
📢 What’s Next?
The third and final T20I between Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be played on Sunday at Sharjah, where Afghanistan will look to avoid a whitewash, while Bangladesh will aim for a clean 3-0 sweep — something they’ve never achieved against Afghanistan before in T20Is.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1️⃣ Who won the 2nd T20I between Bangladesh and Afghanistan 2025?
👉 Bangladesh won by 2 wickets, sealing the T20I series 2-0 in Sharjah.2️⃣ Who was Player of the Match?
👉 Shoriful Islam (BAN) for his all-round performance — 1/13 in 4 overs and 11* in the chase.3️⃣ Who top-scored for Bangladesh?
👉 Shamim Hossain with 33 off 22 balls.4️⃣ How many wickets did Rashid Khan take?
👉 Rashid took 2 wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs.5️⃣ What is the head-to-head record in T20Is?
👉 As of this match, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are tied 7–7 in T20I history.🏁 Final Thoughts
Bangladesh’s thrilling win in the 2nd T20I 2025 not only sealed the series but also sent a strong message ahead of upcoming ICC tournaments. Their improved middle order, bowling depth, and ability to handle pressure are key takeaways.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan will look to regroup, fix their middle-order woes, and bounce back in the final match.
Under the Sharjah lights, the Tigers roared once again — and this time, it was a victory built on teamwork, calmness, and belief.