Opener Liton Das played a pivotal role in the win, top-scoring with 35 runs. Liton set the foundation for the victory alongside Afif Hossain, as their 67-run opening partnership propelled Bangladesh to a total of 119-4 in 16.1 overs.
Taskin Ahmed‘s impressive bowling figures of 3-33 played a crucial role in restricting Afghanistan to 116-7 in a rain-shortened match of 17 overs.
With this triumph, Bangladesh continued their impressive T20 form, securing their third consecutive series win in the format.
It was their first-ever series victory against Afghanistan in three attempts, building on their previous successes of defeating world champions England 3-0 and Scotland 2-1 earlier this year.
Afghanistan found a glimmer of hope when off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Liton and Afif in quick succession, but Azmatullah Omarzai soon bowled Najmul Hossain for four. However, captain Shakib Al Hasan and the young Towhid Hridoy joined forces to stabilize the innings, contributing a 31-run partnership for the fourth wicket and preventing any further collapse.
“We lost couple of wickets, but given the start we had, we were always ahead,” Shakib said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Given the ground conditions, I knew their spinners would have it tough.”
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan refused to make any excuses.
“Weather is not an excuse for a team. T20 should be decided on skills and we were not good enough there, especially in batting,” he said.
Omarzai dismissed Towhid for 19 before finishing with 2-17 but Shakib, with his unbeaten 18, took Bangladesh home.
Shakib also played a hand with the ball to claim 2-15, and Mustafizur Rahman claimed 2-30 as Bangladesh, electing to bowl first, made Afghanistan struggle.
Rain halted play for one-and-a-half hours after just seven overs, prompting the match officials to reduce the contest to 17 overs per side.
Afghanistan were already struggling, losing both openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (eight) and Hazratullah Zazai (four) to Taskin with 16 runs on the board.
Mustafizur removed Mohammad Nabi for 16 after play resumed, and in the next over Shakib dismissed both Ibrahim Zadran (22) and Najibullah Zadran, reducing Afghanistan to 67-5.
But Omarzai and Karim Janat put on 42 runs for the sixth wicket to revive the innings.
Mustafizur ended Omarzai’s 21-ball knock of 25 forcing him to give Shamim Hossain a catch at deep third man.
Janat was out to Taskin in the final over for 22.
Bangladesh won the one-off Test match by a record 546 runs while Afghanistan won the three-match one-day international series 2-1.
(With inputs from AFP)
