Bangladesh Sweep T20I Series

Bangladesh wrapped up their dominant run in Sharjah with a clean sweep over Afghanistan, sealing the three-match T20I series 3-0. Led by a sensational unbeaten 64 from Saif Hassan, Bangladesh chased down 144 with six wickets in hand, continuing their fine form in the shortest format.

The Bangladesh team, who have now won back-to-back T20I series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Netherlands and Afghanistan, displayed remarkable consistency, especially in their chasing approach. Their victory in the third and final T20I was built on disciplined bowling, a measured start from Tanzid Hasan, and a match-winning innings from Saif, who was named Player of the Match for his commanding knock.

Bangladesh’s Bowling Brilliance Sets the Tone

Afghanistan’s decision to bat first backfired early, as Bangladesh’s pace attack, led by Mohammad Saifuddin and Shoriful Islam, struck at regular intervals. Saifuddin’s impeccable line and length dismantled the Afghan middle order, finishing with figures of 3 for 15 in four overs — his best performance in recent months.

Shoriful Islam continued his impressive run from the previous game, removing Ibrahim Zadran in the third over. His ability to swing the new ball under lights troubled the Afghan openers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggressive attempt to counterattack ended when Shamim Hossain took a spectacular diving catch at cover off Nasum Ahmed’s bowling.

By the end of the powerplay, Afghanistan were reeling at 39 for 3, unable to find momentum. Wafiullah Tarakhil fell soon after, as Bangladesh’s fielding intensity kept the pressure high. The middle overs saw further trouble for Afghanistan, with key batters Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan dismissed cheaply.

Rasooli and Mujeeb Rescue Afghanistan

Just when it seemed Afghanistan would fold under 120, Darwish Rasooli and Mujeeb Ur Rahman offered some resistance. The pair stitched together a gritty 34-run stand for the ninth wicket, lifting Afghanistan to a modest but somewhat defendable total of 143 for 9.

Rasooli’s 29-run knock included a series of calculated strokes, while Mujeeb’s fearless hitting in the death overs added 22 valuable runs. Their late flourish gave the Afghan bowlers something to work with, even as the Sharjah surface appeared to favor the chasing side.

However, their efforts could not overshadow the clinical control Bangladesh exhibited with the ball. Saifuddin’s variations proved lethal, while Nasum Ahmed bowled tightly, conceding just 25 runs and taking one key wicket. Shoriful and Mustafizur also maintained their discipline in the death overs, preventing any major onslaught.

Tanzid and Saif Lead Bangladesh’s Chase

In pursuit of 144, Bangladesh once again relied on their top order to provide a steady start. Tanzid Hasan, who has been one of the bright sparks of the series, scored a quickfire 33 off 33 balls, peppered with crisp boundaries and a six.

Parvez Hossain fell early to Azmatullah Omarzai, but Tanzid and Saif Hassan quickly settled the nerves with a 55-run second-wicket partnership. Their calculated aggression ensured Bangladesh stayed ahead of the required rate.

Tanzid showcased a blend of composure and flair, smashing consecutive boundaries off Rashid Khan in the seventh over, before dispatching Mujeeb over long-on for a six. However, after a dropped catch by Darwish Rasooli gave him a reprieve, Tanzid was eventually dismissed for 33, top-edging a slower delivery to mid-off.

Saif Hassan’s Match-Winning Knock

From that point onward, it was the Saif Hassan show. The right-hander, known more for his patience in longer formats, has gradually transformed into a confident T20 batter. His unbeaten 64 off 38 balls, laced with seven towering sixes and two fours, was a masterclass in calculated aggression.

Saif started cautiously, rotating the strike before exploding in the middle overs. His 92-meter six off Abdollah Ahmadzai was one of the shots of the night, and his ability to pick the right bowlers to attack kept Bangladesh in control.

Even as wickets fell at the other end — with Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain departing cheaply to Mujeeb Ur Rahman — Saif maintained his composure. He played out Rashid Khan’s final over safely, ensuring no unnecessary risks were taken against Afghanistan’s premier spinner.

In the 16th over, he brought up his fourth T20I fifty in grand fashion — a colossal 95-meter slog sweep that sailed into the stands. From there, victory was only a matter of time.

Nurul Hasan Finishes in Style

Nurul Hasan, who has been Bangladesh’s quiet finisher throughout the series, once again saw the team home. His unbeaten 10 off 6 balls included the winning shot — a crisp six over long-on off Ahmadzai.

Remarkably, Nurul remained not out in all three matches of the series, highlighting his growing reliability in pressure situations. His partnership with Saif ensured Bangladesh completed the chase with two overs to spare, sealing a comprehensive six-wicket win.

Bangladesh’s Perfect Series Template

The 3-0 series win reflects Bangladesh’s growing confidence in the T20 format. Across the series, their success followed a consistent pattern — disciplined bowling in the powerplay, steady partnerships in the middle, and composed finishing under pressure.

Captain Jaker Ali praised the team’s adaptability, saying after the match: Yes, definitely, the boys managed to rebound after a disappointing Asia Cup, and the way they came back is truly amazing to see.  We are most pleased about the fielding,”

“Our bowlers have done a really good job; they made it easier for the batters, and the batters also delivered. All are capable. All are good players. They just need to believe that they are the best and that they can put up good performances on the world stage. I’m sure the team has those capabilities.”

“We know they have very good spinners. We prepared for that, and we took some preparation about batting and fielding. All credit goes to the boys. They noted everything very well, and everyone executed their job cleanly. “

With young talents like Saif, Tanzid, Shoriful  Islam emerging alongside experienced campaigners like and Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh’s T20 side appears more balanced than ever.

Looking Ahead

The series victory in Sharjah marks Bangladesh’s fourth consecutive T20I series win in 2025, a clear indication of their steady rise in global T20 cricket. With the ICC T20 World Cup looming, performances like these will strengthen Bangladesh’s confidence and team unity.

For Afghanistan, the series exposed their overdependence on star players like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Their middle order struggled throughout, and their fielding lapses cost them dearly.