Bangladesh's home season is coming to an end but the hosts spread joy today in a buzzing stadium with crowd that stuck around despite the temporary stoppage by and constant threat of the rain. Join us in a couple of days for the finisher. It's goodbye from me, Ekanth, and our scorer, K Vairavan.
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh captain walks in with the rain starting: There was nervousness but we had belief that our tailenders can bat. Today it was Shorfiful's turn to finish the game. Funny but how T20s go, makes it more exciting for the ground. Rain gets heavier and the post-match chat gets cut short
Towhid Hridoy, POTM: (Chat with Shamim) We tried to rotate strike and take it deep. Win in this type of game gives us confidence. I was nervous when I didn't get strike in the last over, but I was confident to finish the match as a batsman.
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan captain: I think the ground was very wet. 50% of our strength was taken away by the wet ball but we bowled well and it was a great effort with the ball. I feel like the total was enough with our bowling unit. One good innings can take away the game but if we'd controlled our strokemaking up top, it'd have helped. Nabi took responsibility and took the game deep, he took time and his fifty was amazing. Positive things, still long way to go in preparation of the next World Cup.
Khalid: "Hridoy means 'Heart' if anybody did not get the joke there!" Thanks, mate.
10:07pm: A hand-on-heartHridoy thriller. Very fine margins but Bangladesh get home thanks to their young guns, Hridoy and Shamim, stepping up with a 73-run stand off just 43 balls. Afghanistan started the chase well, Farooqi, Omarzai, and Mujeeb got the top order out in the powerplay. Shakib was back to his dangerous best, carving the bowlers to all corners in a tough situation. He continued to keep going after a rain break but the drinks break followed him getting out. The 13th over happened and that was where the game turned. Omarzai lost his line and length, gave 5 extras in a 21-run over that got the partnership that was both strong and smart, going. They ran incredibly, got the regular boundary, and weren't afraid to take on the right ball even if it came from the best opposition bowlers. Shamim's wicket and the last-over wobble did create some tension but Bangladesh capturing control in the six to seven overs before that paid off.
Razeeb: "Got a scare of that India match! Phew!!!"
Will Shoriful look to get Hridoy on strike or FTW? Where will Janat go?
Nasum Ahmed c Fareed Ahmad b Karim Janat 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Hat-trick ball!
Taskin Ahmed c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Karim Janat 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Mohammad Nabi b Karim Janat 8 (10m 6b 1x4 0x6) SR: 133.33
Not sure if Nabi has recovered from his cramps but it'll be Janat to bowl the last over
END OF OVER:19 | 8 Runs | BAN: 149/5 (6 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 7.84, RRR: 6.00)
- Towhid Hridoy47 (32b)
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz4 (4b)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi4-0-36-1
- Rashid Khan4-0-24-1
Chants rising among the crowd with 6 needed off 7.
Sayem: "The maturity Towhid Hridoy is showing! If he can continue to perform in this manner, he have all the potential to be the next big thing in Bangladesh's Cricket."
Galib: "The match is wide open now. Bangladesh is playing with a long tail. " As Athar Ali Khan says, it should be okay as long as there is wickets
END OF OVER:18 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | BAN: 141/5 (14 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.83, RRR: 7.00)
- Towhid Hridoy41 (28b)
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz2 (2b)
- Rashid Khan4-0-24-1
- Fazalhaq Farooqi3-0-28-1
Jamil Uddin : "Watching this game from somewhere in Atlantic Ocean. Can't stop myself to tell cricinfo the meaning of 'Hridoy'. It's HEART btw."
Hathurasinghe is now seen shaking his head with a smile while talking to Allan Donald.
Mehidy in
Shamim Hossain c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Rashid Khan 33 (44m 25b 4x4 0x6) SR: 132.00
Rashid to close out his spell
END OF OVER:17 | 16 Runs | BAN: 136/4 (19 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.00, RRR: 6.33)
- Shamim Hossain33 (24b)
- Towhid Hridoy38 (25b)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi3-0-28-1
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman4-0-22-1
Just 19 needed off 18.
Shorif Uddin : "What a shot by Hridoy! And immediately Shamim followed him to score a brilliant boundary ! Just young things!"
Can Afghanistan put that dropped chance behind them? Will Farooqi's return help?