Bangladesh completed a dominant 3-0 T20I series sweep over Afghanistan with a six-wicket win in the third and final match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, thanks to a brilliant half-century from Saif Hassan and a disciplined bowling display led by Mohammad Saifuddin.
Afghanistan struggle to capitalize after steady start
Opting to bat first on a sluggish Sharjah surface, Afghanistan never quite found momentum as Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths. The innings began with promise when Sediqullah Atal (28 off 23) and Darwish Rasooli (32 off 29) steadied the side after early setbacks, but regular wickets kept Afghanistan in check throughout.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz started brightly with two boundaries before falling to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, while captain Rashid Khan (12 off 7) and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman (23 not out off 18) added some late resistance with crucial lower-order runs. Despite their efforts, Afghanistan were restricted to 143/9 in 20 overs, a total that looked below par on a ground with short boundaries.
Bangladesh’s bowlers shared the spoils effectively, with Saifuddin emerging as the standout performer, finishing with figures of 3 for 15 from his three overs. Nasum Ahmed (2/24) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2/24) also chipped in with valuable breakthroughs, while Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain picked up a wicket each.
Saif Hassan’s power-hitting leads Bangladesh’s chase
In reply, Bangladesh chased the target with composure and confidence, anchored by Saif Hassan’s match-winning 64 off just 38 balls, which included seven towering sixes and two fours. Opening alongside Tanzid Hasan (33 off 33), the duo provided a solid platform with a 60-run stand before Mujeeb-ur-Rahman struck twice in quick succession to remove both openers.
Despite a minor wobble in the middle overs with Shamim Hossain falling for a first-ball duck, Hassan kept the scoreboard ticking, launching a series of aggressive strokes against Rashid Khan and Bashir Ahmad. His calculated assault ensured that Bangladesh stayed ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.
Nurul Hasan (10 not out off 9) finished the job in the 18th over with a six, sealing the victory with 12 balls to spare. The chase epitomized Bangladesh’s newfound composure in the shortest format, blending aggression with control.
Bangladesh seal series 3-0 with conviction
With this victory, Bangladesh capped off a clinical performance, winning the series (3-0) – by margins of 4 wickets, 2 wickets and 6 wickets respectively. The series highlighted Bangladesh’s growing depth and adaptability in T20 cricket, particularly their ability to perform under pressure in challenging UAE conditions.
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Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be left ruing their inconsistent batting performances. Despite flashes of promise from players like Rasooli and Atal, their inability to post competitive totals ultimately cost them the series.
Bangladesh won the third and final T20I against Afghanistan by 6 wickets 👉 https://t.co/Mjhkajt6yY#cricket #AFGvBAN #T20I pic.twitter.com/6YZZtFf9FT
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 6, 2025
Both teams will now shift focus to the three-match ODI series, beginning October 8 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. With Bangladesh riding high on momentum and Afghanistan eager for redemption, the 50-over leg will witness another exciting chapter in this closely contested rivalry.
