Tigers lose first T20 against Afghanistan

Afghanistan start their historic series in India with a 45-run victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I at Dehradun, India courtesy of a good all-round team performance.

Batting first, Afghanistan put on a formidable 167 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets as Tigers conceded a whopping 76 runs in the last six overs.

A 62-run opening stand between Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani laid the foundation and while the Tigers' pacers were punished, it was again the spinners that came to the rescue with Shakib Al Hasan going for just 19 in his four overs.

Vice-captain and part-time off-spinner Mahmudullah Riyad took two wickets in the 14th over -- having Najibullah Zadran caught and bowling Mohammad Nabi -- to have Afghanistan on 91 for four. 

Samiullah Shenwari and Shafiqullah's late onslaught got the Afghans to a challenging total as the former hit an 18-ball 36 while the latter struck an eight-ball 24.

Bangladesh innings got off to the worst possible start as Tamim Iqbal was removed by Mujeeb ur Rahman off the very first delivery. Shakib then fell in the fourth over before Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim played some handy shots to bring the Tigers back on track. However, Tigers imploded when Rashid Khan came into the attack. Mushfiqur and Sabbir Ahmed fell to back-to-back Rashid Khan deliveries and Tigers never really recovered. Rashid, who was the player of the match, picked up three wickets for 13 in three overs while left-arm quick Shapnoor Zadran picked up three wickets in the death overs to cap off a memorable night for the Afghans as Bangladesh were bundled out for 122 all-out.

Bangladesh:

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Abul Hasan, Nazmul Islam, Abu Jayed

Afghanistan:

Mohammad Shahzad, Usman Ghani, Asghar Stanikzai (C), Shafiqullah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Karim Janat,  Shapoor Zadran