Bangladesh hosted Afghanistan in the 6th match of the ongoing T20I tri-series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday (September 21).

Sent into bat first by Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan, Afghanistan posted 138/7 in 20 overs. Hazratullah Zazai was the top-scorer for the visitors with 35-ball 47 while Rahmanullah Gurbaz (29) and Shafiqullah Shafiq (23) contributed in twenties.

Afif Hossain was the stand-out bowler for Bangladesh, taking 2 wickets for 9 runs in his three overs.

In reply, the home got off to a terrible start, losing both their openers, Liton Das (4) Najmul Hossain Shanto (5), cheaply. But Shakib looked in his element as he added 58 runs for the third wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim.

Karim Janat broke the partnership by removing Mushfiqur on 26. His wicket also led to a little collapse in the middle-order but the captain held the one end firmly.

Shakib eventually finished with 70 not out off 45 balls and shared an unbeaten 35-run partnership with Mosaddek Hossain (19 not out off 12 balls) to guide his team over the line with four wickets in hand and an over to spare.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan – 138/7 in 20 overs (Hazratullah Zazai 47; Afif Hossain 2/9) lost to Bangladesh – 139/6 in 19 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 70*; Naveen-ul-Haq 2/20) by 4 wickets.