Tigers clinch Afghanistan series after dramatic win in second T20I

Bangladesh clinched the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan 2-0 after winning a tight second T20I at Sharjah by two wickets on Friday. Nurul Hasan Sohan's unbeaten 21-ball 31 guided the chase while Shoriful Islam also turned handy with the bat at the late end of the game to clinch the series.

Bangladesh were in a spot of bother when openers Tanzid Tamim (2) and Parvez Hossain along with number three Saif Hassan, departed within the Powerplay in chase of Afghanistan's 147 for 5.

Tanzid found an Azmatullah Omarzai delivery gaining on him and his short-handed pull found Rashid Khan at mid on, leading to a soft dismissal. Omarzai would get the better of Parvez in his next over.

Saif looked good for his 14-ball 18 but when he went through extra cover off Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sediqullah Atal made up quiet a bit of ground to hold on to an excellent catch. At 24 for 3, Shamim Hossain and skipper Jaker Ali steadied ship.

Shamim was the early aggressor playing Rashid with authority and finding boundaries. Jaker too got into the act as the duo strung together a 56-run stand to get Bangladesh back into the game.

Rashid's googly brought the breakthrough in the 11th over as Jaker departed leg-before for a 25-ball 32. Shamim's ill-conceived switch hit off Noor Ahmed cost him his wicket in the 15th over after an effective 22-ball 33, laced with three fours and a six.

After Rashid got Nasum out for 10 in the 17th over, Omarzai produced a double-wicket over in the 18th, accounting for Saifuddin and Rishad Hossain.

With 19 needed off two overs, Sohan produced a six off Noor to keep things under control but it was Shoriful Islam, who also joined in on the action taking Noor for runs in the penultimate over to keep the game under control. Shoriful then pounced on Omarzai's first delivery of the final over to take Bangladesh over the ropes, remaining not out on 11 off six deliveries.

The third and final T20I will be played on October 5 at the same venue.