Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I Match Commentary: Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh, 2023

10.36pm  Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game and this series as well. Although, there are plenty of matches running at the moment. You can certainly follow those with us, and make sure to watch out for Bangladesh in the upcoming Asia Cup. Cheers!

10.31pm  Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh wins the Players of the Series award and also the Player of the Match award for his all-round performance. He says that they lost couple of wickets in the middle, but they had teh covfidence to stay in the game. Mentions that they always had the believe to get over the line. States that there was some movement for the seamers and they certainly capitalised on it. Informs that he is delighted with the way they played in this series.

10.29pm  Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan says that rain is not an excuse for the poor performance. Adds that they were not good enough. Mentions that their batting was not up to the mark. Says that loss is a part of the game and lots of leanings for them. Reckons that the players need to know their role and executing that will be priority in future. Adds that they want to work on their weakness before the next T20 World Cup. Shares that mindset was to stay in the game till the end and he asked for complete effort from the team members. Closes by saying that a few more runs would have made it interesting for them.

10.28pm  Stay tuned for the presentation...

10.27pm  Earlier in the match, Bangladesh won the toss and selected to bowl first. There was a lot of purchase for the seamers and the Bangladesh bowlers certainly made the most of it. For Afghanistan, it was a sorry display with the bat in hand, and the rain delay only made it more challenging for them. Eventually, it was Bangladesh who dominated throughout and won the series as well.

10.18pm  Although, one would say, it was too little too late. Azmatullah Omarzai then got into the act as well, but the debutant Wafadar Momand kept leaking runs aplenty, evidently it was not all hunky-dory with the ball in hand for the visitors. Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy then came to rescue as they stiched a valuable stand which helped their side to get over the line here.

10.11pm  Bangladesh were off to a rolllicking start with the bat in hand. Litton Das was hitting the ball to all sides of the park, and set a solid platform for his side. Afif Hossain who has never opened the game for Bangladesh took his time to get his eye-in and got off to a decent start himself. It was all going Bangladesh's way until the drinks break. Once both the batters came back at the crease, they lost their focus and slipped out in quick succession, to give Afghanistan some hope. It was the spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman which did the damage, as he picked two wickets in a single over to peg them back.

10.08pm  Phew! An entertaining chase comes to an end and it is Bangladesh that come out on top once again in this series and seal the deal. Despite plenty of time being lost due to rain, we only managed to lose 3 overs each side and the wait certainly paid off.

10.04pm  Bangladesh need 4 runs off the final over. Rashid Khan now hands the ball to the debutant, Wafadar Momand.

9.56pm  Shamim Hossain is the new batter at the crease.

OUT! Azmatullah Omarzai replies with a wicket. Back of a length delivery on the middle and leg. Hridoy advances and looks to go over the mid-off region. He hits it from the cue end and gifts a simple catch to Nabi. Omarzai is pumped and does a send-off to Hridoy.
Towhid Hridoy c M Nabi b A Omarzai 19 (17b 1x4 1x6)

OUT! TIMBER! Afghanistan are certainly back in this game. Azmatullah Omarzai with a wonderful delivery to get rid of Shanto. A yorker, right on the money. Shanto looks to swing it across the line but misses only to see the ball crash into the sticks. Shakib Al Hasan now comes out to bat. Can the Bangladesh skipper get the job done?
Najmul Hossain Shanto b A Omarzai 4 (6b 0x4 0x6)

OUT! CAUGHT! Mujeeb Ur Rahman picks up his second wicket in a jiffy. The crowd has gone mute now. Is there a twist in the tale? Who would've thought. It is a full delivery, in the slot as well, Afif Hossain's eyes lit-up. He tries to go for the slog sweep but could not get the distance on it. Karim Janat settles under it and takes a sharp catch to put his side back in the contest. Towhid Hridoy is the new man at the crease.
Afif Hossain c K Janat b MU Rahman 24 (20b 0x4 2x6)

9.30pm  Najmul Hossain Shanto comes in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! WOW! WHAT A CATCH! Afghanistan needed something special to get back in this game and Rashid Khan, the skipper, takes a one-handed stunner to get rid of Litton Das. Mujeeb Ur Rahman draws the first blood here. It is tossed up, full and outside off. Litton Das is drawn into it and goes for the booming drive. He hits it well, but Rashid Khan comes up with a moment of inspiration, as he moves to his right, jumpes that side and gathers it in his right-hand.
Litton Das (wk) c R Khan b MU Rahman 35 (36b 6x4 0x6)

9.26pm  Drinks break! Bangladesh are well on top here. They need 52 runs from 48 deliveries, and have all the wickets in hand. Only a miracle can get Afghanistan back in the game here. We might well see some attacking approach from the hosts to kill this game as soon as possible. Can Afghanistan pull a rabbit out of the hat? Let us find out.

9.09pm  Change. Rashid Khan now comes into the attack.

8.48pm  Who will bowl from the other end? It will be the debutant, Wafadar Momand.

8.41pm  We are back for Bangladesh's reply. They have to chase down 119 runs, which is the revised target for the hosts. The Afghanistan players takes the field. Followed by Litton Das and Afif Hossain who come out for Bangladesh. It will be Fazalhaq Farooqi to start with the new ball.

8.38pm  ... The Run Chase ...

8.36pm  Taskin Ahmed was sensational with his fiery spell of 3 for 33 while Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with 2 apiece. Bangladesh will be the happier side going into the innings break and will be confident to chase this total. Can they do it and take the series 2-0 or will Afghan bowlers defend this? We shall find out together. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

8.36pm  An outstanding effort with the ball by Bangladesh keeps Afghanistan to 116 for 7 in their allotted overs. Having put into bat first, the visitors lost both the openers inside the first three overs. The ball was doing a lot initially and caused havoc for the Afghanistan batters. Mohammad Nabi and Ibrahim Zadran steadied the innings with a 32-run stand amidst the rain delay for an hour. Bangladesh pegged them back with three quick wickets and reduced the visitors to 67 for 5. Karim Janat and Azmatullah Omarzai got the innings back on track with a quick 42-run partnership. A huge hit in the final over from Rashid Khan takes Afghanistan to a respectable total.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another man bites the dust. Afghanistan lose their seventh wicket. For once, Karim Janat gets bat on ball, but only to find the fielder. A short ball, on off. Janat smacks it hard towards long on, but does not get the desired distance on it. Najmul Hossain Shanto settles under it and takes a sharp catch. Mujeeb Ur Rahman is out at the crease now.
Karim Janat c NH Shanto b T Ahmed 20 (15b 1x4 1x6)

OUT! Caught at third man. Mustafizur Rahman has aced this battle and inevitably he comes out on top here. Azmatullah Omarzai's good knock comes to an end. It is a full-length ball, outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball flies off the outside edge towards third man where Shamim Hossain takes an easy catch. Rashid Khan is the new batter at the crease.
Azmatullah Omarzai c S Hossain b M Rahman 25 (21b 2x4 1x6)

8.03pm  Karim Janat comes out at number 7.

OUT! Bowled'em! Najibullah Zadran is stunned! Flatter and quicker, angled in, at the stumps. Zadran looks to pull this across the line and misses it completely. The ball clatters into the stumps and the crowd erupts in joy. Shakib Al Hasan gets his second as Afghanistan lose half their side now.
Najibullah Zadran b SA Hasan 5 (3b 1x4 0x6)

7.58pm  Azmatullah Omarzai is the new man at the crease. Can he take his side over the 100-run mark?

OUT! In the air and taken! Shakib Al Hasan strikes! Tossed up at the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran gets on one knee and looks to hit this out of the park. He gets the height but not the distance as the ball goes toward the long-on region. Afif Hossain settles underneath it and takes a fine catch. Zadran walks back for 22 as Afghanistan loses their fourth.
Ibrahim Zadran c A Hossain b SA Hasan 22 (27b 1x4 1x6)

7.53pm  Who walks in now? It is the left-hander, Najibullah Zadran who comes in at number 5.

OUT! Edged and Caught! Nabi is gone this time. He got a couple of reprieves but has to walk back now. Good length delivery, just outside off. Nabi looks to heave this through the on-side but gets an inside edge to the keeper Das who pouches an easy chance.
Mohammad Nabi c L Das b M Rahman 16 (22b 1x4 0x6)

7.43pm  We are back, no rain, no covers, players are back out and the crowd has come back to life once again. Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi stride out with their swords. Shakib Al Hasan takes the ball in hand to complete his over.

7.34pm  Update - Well, well you all know what time is it. YES! It is time for some inspection. The three umpires make their way out on the field, while doing so, that have a short chat with the Afghan skipper, Rashid Khan and on they go towards the outfield. Right then, we have a time now, the game will resume at 7.45 pm IST. Not too long now, and it has been reduced to a 17-overs match now.

7.20pm  Update 7.20 pm IST (1.50 pm GMT)- The umpire came out, took a stroll and are certainly unhappy with the wet outfield. The stumps have been placed, although there is no concrete news on the restart time. The wait game continues. Okay then, as expected, the umpires will conduct the next inspection at 7.35 pm IST (2.05 pm GMT).

6.49pm  Update 6.49 pm IST (1.29 pm GMT) - Well then, the images from the ground look quite promising, as the covers have been taken off. No signs of rain as well. OH NO! Hold your horses, some movement can be seen of the groundstaff, while the umpires can be seen guiding them. Although, still no signs of rain, that means it could be something to do with the wet outfield. Stick around for more updates.

6.33pm  UPDATE 6.30 pm IST (1.00 pm GMT): The rain has stopped but the covers around the pitch and the square are still in place. Let's hope the rain stays away and we get some action soon. Stay tuned for further updates.

6.08pm  UPDATE 6.08 pm IST (12.38 pm GMT) - Dear, oh dear! The inevitable has happened. The ground staff is rushing towards the pitch and get the covers on in no time. The players have gone off the field. Much required breather for the Afghanistan side. The ball did all the talking so far, and now it is time to sit back and wait for the rain to passby. Hopefully, it is just a short delay.

5.46pm  Mohammad Nabi is the new man in.

OUT! EDGED and TAKEN! Taskin Ahmed picks the second and both the openers are back in the hut. Hard length delivery, angling across just outside off. Zazai looks to run this down to the third man region but it zips off the surface and takes an edge through to the Litton Das behind the stumps. Afghanistan have lost two in quick time and are in some trouble.
Hazratullah Zazai c L Das b T Ahmed 4 (5b 1x4 0x6)

5.37pm  Who will share the new ball? It will be Hasan Mahmud.

5.35pm  Ibrahim Zadran is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Taskin Ahmed draws the first blood for Taskin Ahmed. Bowls a sharp short ball around the off-stump line. Gurbaz looks to pull this one but gets late on this as the ball goes aerial toward the short cover region and Taskin Ahmed runs around to take the catch off his own bowling. This is also the 50th wicket in T20Is for Taskin Ahmed. Top Stuff!
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) c&b T Ahmed 8 (5b 0x4 1x6)

5.28pm  The match is set to begin. Bangladesh players take the field. Followed by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai who walk out to open for Afghanistan. It will be Taskin Ahmed to start with the new ball.

5.24pm  Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan is in for a chat now. He starts by saying that it would've been great to bowl first, but hopes that the ground remains dry and focus on playing positive cricket. Mentions that the boys need to bring their experience into the game, which will help them to get over the line if the rain comes into play. Adds that it is all about the basics and it is just about adjusting to the conditions as soon as possible. Informs that they have a single change to their side.

5.24pm  Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh is in for a quick chat. He says that they will field first. Adds that they want to chase and it looks like a good wicket to bat second. Mentions that they have improved their approach and want to continue with the winning momentum. Closes by saying the two changes for them, Afif Hossain and Hasan Mahmud come in for the injured Rony Talukdar and Shoriful Islam.

5.13pm  Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wafadar Momand (In for Fareed Ahmad), Azmatullah Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

5.12pm  Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Litton Das (WK), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain (In for Rony Talukdar), Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud (In for Shoriful Islam) and Mustafizur Rahman.

5.04pm  TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of Bangladesh. They will BOWL first.

4.35pm  Afghanistan, on the other hand, lost wickets at regular intervals and managed to just cross the 150 mark. Nabi played a key knock of 54*off 40 while Najibullah Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with handy contributions. They nearly made a game out from this smallish total as Karim Janat took 3 in the final over of the chase and created panic in the Bangladesh dressing room. They however ended on the losing side. Can they bounce back and end the tour on a high? We shall find out. Toss and team news in a bit. Stay tuned...

4.34pm  Hello and welcome to our coverage of the 2nd T20I between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. After losing the ODI series, Bangladesh bounced back nicely and won the first game by 2 wickets off the penultimate ball. The Tigers kept Afghanistan at 154 with the entire blowing unit doing the job. Towhid Hridoy with 47* was the star in the chase and despite some drama in the final over, he took his side past the finish line.  Bangladesh will hope for a repeat effort and end the series on a high.