Six-machine Saif powers Bangladesh to whitewash over Afghanistan
Saif Hassan hits seven sixes on his way to pick up his fourth T20I half century.
Having already sealed the T20I series with victories in the first two matches, Bangladesh completed a clean sweep yesterday by defeating Afghanistan in the final game in Sharjah. Chasing a target of 144, Saif Hassan's half-century guided Bangladesh to a 6-wicket win with 12 balls to spare.
This was Bangladesh's first-ever T20I whitewash of Afghanistan — and, in a sense, a measure of revenge. Back in June 2018, Bangladesh were whitewashed 3–0 by the Afghans in Dehradun, India. This time, the Tigers avenged that defeat in style.
In pursuit of the target, openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan Tamim gave Bangladesh a steady start with a 24-run partnership. Emon fell to Azmatullah Omarzai for 14, bringing Saif Hassan to the crease. He and Tanzid added 55 runs off 39 balls before Tanzid was dismissed for 33 with the team total at 79. Saif, however, stayed unbeaten until the end. Reaching his fifty off 32 balls, he finished on 64 not out from 38 deliveries, hitting 2 fours and 7 sixes at a strike rate of 168.42.
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His powerful innings ensured that the quick dismissals of Jaker Ali (10) and Shamim Hossain Patwary (0) in the middle overs had little impact on the chase. Later, Nurul Hasan Sohan came in and remained unbeaten on 10 off 9 balls — extending his run of not-out finishes after scoring 23* and 31* in the previous two matches.
Earlier, Afghanistan, sent in to bat after losing the toss, managed 143 for 9. Both openers — Ibrahim Zadran (7) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (12) — were dismissed with only 24 runs on the board. Sediqullah Atal and Wafiyullah Tarakhil tried to rebuild, but Mohammad Saifuddin broke their resistance by removing Wafiyullah (11). Atal then shared a 34-run stand with Darwish Rasooli before Saifuddin, returning for his second spell in the 11th over, dismissed Atal (28) and briefly raised hopes of a hat-trick.
Although he missed out on the hat-trick, Saifuddin triggered a collapse, with Afghanistan losing 5 wickets for just 25 runs. Omarzai (3) fell trying to hit Rishad Hossain for a six, while Mohammad Nabi was bowled by Nasum Ahmed attempting a front-foot drive. Captain Rashid Khan was dismissed by Tanzim Hasan Sakib for 12, and on the next ball Tanzim also removed Abdullah Ahmadzai (0), narrowly missing his own hat-trick.
Even so, Afghanistan's total passed 140 thanks to a late partnership between Rasooli and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The pair added 34 runs for the ninth wicket. Rasooli top-scored with 32 off 29 balls, while Mujeeb remained unbeaten on 23.
Saifuddin was Bangladesh's most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nasum Ahmed claimed 2 wickets each.
