Tigers throw a paltry 116 target

Bangladesh managed to throw a target of 116 runs to Afghanistan in the second T20I of the two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

Following four dismissals in regular intervals, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad attempted to held the fort for the Tigers.

Mahmudullah Riyad achieved 2000 runs in T20Is by sweeping Rashid Khan for a boundary in the 15th over. However, Riyad brought his downfall in the same over in trying to sweep Rashid again. And with it, the innings' highest partnership of 43 runs off 31 balls ended.

Mushfiqur played the team-highest knock of 30 off 25 balls after returning to the side in his 100th T20I match. The right-hander was undone by Fazalhaq Farooqi's slower delivery.  

Farooqi, the visitors' best bowler of the day, then went on to knock Sheikh Mahedi off with a pacey, in-swinging yorker and ended up picking three wickets. From 100 for seven after 16.3 overs, Tigers, having failed to hit any boundary for the last 26 balls, ended up on posting no more than 115 for nine in 20 overs.

Tigers in trouble at innings' midway

Bangladesh are 47 for four after 10 overs. 

Mushfiqur Rahim, playing his 100th T20I, is in the middle with skipper Mahmudullah Riyad. 

Mushfiqur Rahim in action. Firoz Ahmed

[Wicket] Overs 9.3; BAN- 45/4: Shakib gone! Omarzai grabs the prized wicket of Shakib, who skied the ball to the off side in trying to heave a short-pitched ball over mid wicket. Gurbaz runs back to grab the catch.
Shakib Al Hasan c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Azmatullah Omarzai 9 (15b) SR: 60

[Wicket] Overs 8.1; BAN- 38/3: Naim Sheikh run out! Karim Janat hits a direct throw as Naim and Shakib tries to sneak a single.
Mohammad Naim run out (Karim Janat) 13 (19b 2x4) SR: 68.42

Tigers suffer early setback

Bangladesh are 33 for two after six overs. 

The Tigers are on the backfoot early in their quest for a first-time series-win against Afghanistan. Munim Shahriar and Liton Das are back to the pavillion already. Shakib Al Hasan has joined Naim Sheikh in the middle.  

[Wicket] Overs 4.1; BAN- 22/2: Liton dismissed. Big blow for the Tigers! The in-form batter top-edged a pull shot Sharafuddin takes his second catch of the match at the deep. Omarzai and teammates are thrilled.  
Liton Das c Sharafuddin Ashraf b Azmatullah Omarzai 13 (10b 1x6) SR: 130

[Wicket] Overs 1.4; BAN- 7/1: Munim Shahriar got out cheaply in his second international game as he tried to charge Mohammad Nabi in innings' second over. The right-hander danced down the track but mistimed his shot and Sharfuddin takes a sitter at mid off.  
Munim Shahriar c Sharafuddin Ashraf b Mohammad Nabi 4 (10b 1x4) SR: 40

Tigers elect to bat as Mushy returns for his 100th T20I

A minute's silence was observed by the teams in memory of Shane Warne and Rod Marsh before the match began at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium today. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to bat first in the second T20I of the two-match series against Afghanistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.
 
After winning the first match of the series on Thursday, the Tigers are featuring only one change, with Mushfiqur Rahim replacing Yasir Ali in what will be his 100th T20I. Meanwhile, the visitors have left out spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Qais Ahmed for Usman Ghani and Sharafuddin.

Playing XIs:

Bangladesh: Naim Sheikh, Munim Shahriar, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Mahmudullah (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Usman Ghani, Darwish Rasooli, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Sharafuddin