Afghanistan Spinners Peg Back Bangladesh After Tanzid's Flying Start

A brisk half-century from opener Tanzid Hasan laid a strong foundation for Bangladesh, but Afghanistan’s spinners turned the game on its head to restrict them to 154 for 5 in a crucial T20I encounter in Abu Dhabi.

Bangladesh raced to 63 without loss in the powerplay, thanks largely to Tanzid's aggressive approach. The left-hander was in sublime touch, reaching his seventh T20I fifty off just 28 balls, with six of his first 12 deliveries either reaching or clearing the boundary.

At 87 for 1 at the halfway mark, Bangladesh looked poised for a big total. However, Afghanistan's spin duo of Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan staged a clinical comeback. The pair combined for four wickets while conceding just 49 runs in their allotted eight overs, applying the brakes during the crucial middle phase.

Saif Hassan, returning to the XI, chipped in with a steady 30 off 28 balls, but lacked the acceleration needed to maintain the early momentum. Bangladesh lost four wickets for just 65 runs during the middle overs and could only manage 30 runs in the final five overs — a period dominated by Afghanistan’s death bowling discipline.

Commenting on Bangladesh’s performance, former cricketer Wasim Jaffer suggested that the team may have erred in altering their lineup, saying, "Bangladesh should have stuck to their previous XI."

Despite the promising start, the failure to capitalise in the later stages means Bangladesh may find their total slightly below par on a surface that tends to favour chasing sides under lights in Abu Dhabi.

Key Performances:

• Tanzid Hasan – 52 (28)

• Saif Hassan – 30 (28)

• Noor Ahmad – 2 for 23

• Rashid Khan – 2 for 26

As Afghanistan prepare to chase 155, momentum seems to have swung in their favour, thanks to another dominant display from their spin department.