AFG VS BAN 3RD T20I

Sharjah sets the stage for the final showdown in the three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. With Bangladesh already clinching the series 2-0, the third game offers little in terms of stakes but plenty in terms of pride. Afghanistan, despite their fighting spirit, have now suffered four straight defeats in T20Is, and three of them at the hands of Bangladesh. The results highlight just how tough it has been for the Afghans to overcome a Bangladesh side that has looked sharper. The rhythm of a T20 contest in the UAE mirrors an asymmetrical wave of unpredictable, jagged, and without discernible pattern. Momentum surges and collapses without warning, as if the desert air itself conspires to keep logic at bay. In both games, Afghanistan batted first and posted a moderate to a below-par total, in that 145-155 bracket, which proved a little less to defend. However, the Afghans will take heart from the way they fought in the second T20I, almost making Bangladesh huff and puff for every run. Bowling has seldom been Afghanistan’s concern with the luxury and variations of spin they have, led by Rashid Khan. Their attack has consistently delivered under pressure, often keeping games alive with discipline and heart. It is the batting that has faltered - erratic, unreliable, and prone to collapse just when partnerships begin to flourish. The familiar pattern of losing wickets after a promising stand has resurfaced, leaving the top order to carry the weight. Amid the inconsistency, Azmatullah Omarzai has emerged as a genuine all-rounder. He continues to impress with both bat and ball, and his recent four-wicket haul nearly turned the tide against the Tigers, offering a rare moment of defiance in an otherwise uphill battle. One more positive is Rahmanullah Gurbaz returning to form after a sloppy Asia Cup run, but it is all about producing a complete performance across both departments and winning those crucial phases to assert dominance. Bangladesh have sealed the series with authority, notching up their fourth successive T20I series win. Three of those have come on foreign soil, while one was secured at home. Their bowling has been quietly effective throughout this campaign, never conceding more than 40 runs in the Powerplay and making full use of Sharjah’s slow surface. What has truly stood out is the variety in their attack, blending pace and spin with precision. By dominating the early exchanges, they have consistently taken control of the contest. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman have all contributed with sharp spells, while Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain have strengthened the spin unit with discipline and bite. Litton Das may be absent, but Bangladesh have not felt the void in this series. The top order, led by Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan, has stepped up with assurance. Yet, the middle order remains a concern, as its inconsistency has left Bangladesh with work to do before sterner tests arrive. That area will be a key focus moving forward. As the final T20I approaches, Afghanistan will be eager to restore some pride and avoid a clean sweep, while Bangladesh aim to register their first whitewash in the format this year. With both teams chasing contrasting goals, the stage is set for a compelling finale before the spotlight shifts to the longer white-ball format.