Rashid Khan celebrates a dismissal in Dehradun
Middle-order batsman Samiullah Shenwari scored 49 runs off 41 balls to power Afghanistan to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on Tuesday. With this victory, Afghanistan sealed the three-match T20I series 2-0 with a game to spare.
Earlier, Rashid Khan weaved his magic yet again as his four-wicket haul helped Afghanistan restrict Bangladesh to 134 for eight.
Rashid ran amok in the 16th over, sending back Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan (3), a set Tamim Iqbal (43 off 48) and Mossadek Hossain (0) to leave Bangladesh gasping at to 103 for seven.
Bangladesh, who were 81 for three in the first 10 overs, could only muster 53 in the next 60 balls for the loss of five wickets.
The wrecker-in-chief was the unstoppable Rashid, who ended up with figures of four for 12 in four overs. In the series opener too, the 19-year-old had produced a decisive performance, taking three for 13 in three overs.
After having Shakib caught at long-on, Rashid removed Iqbal and Hossain with his well disguised googly to be on a hat-trick for the second time in as many games.
The other spinners Mohammad Nabi (2/19 in four overs) and Mujeeb Zadran (0/15 in four overs) too did their job as Bangladesh batsmen failed to break the shackles.
Unlike the previous game, Bangladesh skipper Shakib thought it was best to bat first on a slow surface.
The spirited Afghanistan team struck in the second over when Liton Das pulled a short delivery from pacer Shapoor Zadran straight into the hands of the deep square leg fielder.
Sabbir Rahman (13) threw his wicket away after smashing Shapoor for three successive fours to leave Bangladesh at 30 for two in the fifth over.
Then came the 45-run stand between Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim (22) but the latter's fall led to a complete batting surrender by Bangladesh.
(With PTI inputs)
