AFG VS BAN 1ST T20I

And that's a wrap from today's match. Bangladesh have taken a 1-0 lead in the series. The second T20I will be played on Friday, October 3rd, at 2.30 pm GMT. Tune in for pre-match coverage and join us again for exciting cricket action. Until then, stay safe and goodbye!

Bangladesh captain Jaker Ali praised his team's performance despite acknowledging areas for improvement in both bowling and batting. After a strong start, Bangladesh held their nerve to secure a win against a good Afghan side. Ali noted that cricket is unpredictable, and while Afghanistan fought hard, the win was what mattered. He highlighted the need to improve in specific areas, particularly in bowling at the death overs, but was pleased with the overall performance, which gave his team confidence ahead of their next match.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan reflected on his team's recent performance, acknowledging that while they made a good comeback, they could have finished stronger. He emphasized the importance of execution in T20 cricket, particularly in maintaining momentum, and felt that a total of 170 would have been more competitive. Khan also highlighted areas for improvement ahead of the World Cup, including shot selection and the need for players to bring their natural game, with attacking players playing aggressively rather than defensively. He noted that Afghanistan's bowling in the first six overs was subpar and that the team managed to gain momentum only when they hit their stride in the last 10 overs, finding some positives to build on for their next match.

Parvez Hossain Emon, the Player of the Match, expressed his delight with the opening partnership and credited his success to playing according to his merit. He praised Rashid for a good job but gave special mention to Nurul Hasan for finishing the game well, and emphasized that the team will continue to give their best efforts.

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Earlier in the game, Afghanistan won the toss and batted first, posting 151/9. They struggled, losing wickets regularly, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz held one end with 40 off 31 deliveries. They lost early wickets, including three in the Powerplay. Mohammad Nabi's 38 and Azmatullah Omarzai's 18, helped propel Afghanistan to a competitive total. For Bangladesh, Rishad and Tanzim picked up key wickets despite being expensive, while Nasum and Mustafizur Rahman bowled economically, with Nasum shining in the powerplay and Mustafizur in the middle overs.

Bangladesh's fortunes dramatically shifted from 109/0 to 118/6, tilting the game in Afghanistan's favor. However, a late partnership between Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain, adding 35 runs off 18 balls, turned the tide back in Bangladesh's favor. Nurul contributed 23 runs, while Rishad scored 14, ultimately sealing the win for Bangladesh.

Afghanistan's spin duo of Rashid and Noor bowled a magical spell, restricting Bangladesh to just 39 runs off 8 overs and claiming 5 crucial wickets between them, with Rashid taking 4 wickets. This dramatic turn of events swung the momentum in Afghanistan's favor.

Bangladesh seals the first T20I of the series, beating Afghanistan by 4 wickets. Bangladesh's strong start, with 95 runs scored in the first 10 overs without losing a wicket, put immense pressure on Afghanistan, effectively shutting out their chances of a comeback and setting up a dominant position for Bangladesh in the match.

FOUR! Rishad Hossain hits this away for four and gets the winning runs. Bangladesh have defeated Afghanistan by 4 wickets. Short-pitched, on middle and leg, Rishad Hossain pulls this towards fine leg region for four to close the game.

Short and wide of off, Nurul Hasan dabs this to third man region for one.

SIX! OUTRAGEOUS! Nurul Hasan, under pressure, has played a blinder. Too full, around off, Nurul Hasan plays the reverse scoop and connects welll. The ball goes all the way for a biggie towards the third man region.

SIX! IN HIS ARC AND OUT OF THE PARK! Nurul puts this game to bed with this biggie to start the 19th. On a length around middle and off, Nurul Hasan clears his front foot and slogs this up and over the fence towards long on for six.

FOUR! That's gone right behind the keeper for four runs. Short-pitched, on middle and leg, Rishad Hossain goes for the pull but gets it edged behind the keeper for a boundary.

Short and wide of off, Nurul Hasan thumps this to short cover for a quick single.

Back of a length on the pads, Rishad Hossain tucks this through mid-wicket for one. The batters were keen for two but Fareed and Nurul Hasan collides and Nurul ends up on the ground as the aftereffect of it. No harm done to either palyer.

On a length around middle and leg, Nurul Hasan looks for the flick but gets it off the bottom of his bat towards deep square for one.