Tigers lose T20I series

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DHAKA, June 5, 2018 (BSS)- Once again Afghanistan put up a brilliant all-
round display that helped them clinch the three-match T20I series with 2-0 as
they won the second match by six wickets over Bangladesh at Rajiv Gandhi
International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, India, on Tuesday.

Samiullah Shenwari, the top scorer of Afghanistan innings, blasted 41-
ball off 49 runs as Afghanistan chase down the target for the loss of four
wickets with seven balls to spare. Samiullah smashed two boundaries and three
over boundaries before fell to Mosaddek Hossain.

Mohammad Nabi completed Afghan’s victory with a breezy unbeaten 15-ball
off 31 runs that studded with three boundaries and two over boundaries after
Afghan opener Mohammad Shezad (24) and Usman Ghani (21) contributed 38-run in
the opening stand.

Mosaddek Hossain was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh side as he
claimed two wickets conceding 21 runs.

Earlier, opted to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh scored a
moderate total of 134 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs in their must-win-
game following their 45-runs defeat in their first match of the series.

The Tigers suffered early batting jolt as they lost their way losing
opener Liton Das in the first ball of second over off a Sapoor Zadran’s
delivery. Hard hitting batsman Sabbir Rahman (13) also lasted a little as
fell to Mohammad Nabi.

Opener Tamim Iqbal (43 off 48 ball), the top scorer of Bangladesh’s
dilapidated innings’ kept his nerve cool as he shared an important 45 runs
with Mushfiqur Rahim for the third wicket stand to take the team to a
comfortable position before Nabi again struck on Tigers’ innings sending back
to Rahim for 22.

Mahmudullah (14) then arrived in the crease, but he failed to carry his
innings after being a clean bowled by Karim Jannat while skipper Shakib Al
Hasan again failed to take the team’s responsibility as he perished to Afghan
star spinner Rashid Khan shortly after the departure of Mahmudullah, leaving
Bangladesh in a deep trouble.

Bangladesh could not fight back in the match as they lost their four
wickets — Shakib, Tamim, Mosaddek and Soumya — in span of seven runs. All
were taken by Afghan star Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan caused the major damage as he grabbed four Bangladesh wickets
conceding only 12 runs. He was well supported by Mohammad Nabi who bagged two
wickets giving away 19 runs.

The third and last match between the two sides will be held on Thursday
(June 7) at the same venue.