HIGHLIGHTS Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in UAE 3 T20I Series 2025, 1st T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back with the chase. Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon walk out as the opening pair for Bangladesh with Fareed Ahmad ready to bowl the first over for Afghanistan.

... The Run Chase ...

Rahmanullah Gurbaz expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, despite not batting exactly how he wanted to. He credited his captain and coach for trusting him with significant responsibility, batting at number 3, a position he's not accustomed to but appreciated the faith shown in him. Gurbaz hopes to build on this momentum in future games. When defending their total, he assured that the team would give its best effort.

Bangladesh's bowling was impressive overall, although Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib were expensive in parts of the innings despite picking up crucial wickets. Nasum Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman bowled tightly during the Powerplay and middle overs, respectively, and took important wickets to restrict Afghanistan's scoring.

Afghanistan's innings struggled initially, with regular wickets falling. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, batting out of position at number 3, provided stability with a 40-run knock. Mohammad Nabi's crucial cameo of 38 runs at a quick pace was instrumental in helping Afghanistan post over 150. Sharafuddin Ashraf also contributed with a late-innings cameo of 17 runs, adding some valuable runs to the total.

Afghanistan staged a recovery, posting a total of over 150 after being reduced to 40/4 in the 7th over.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Sharafuddin Ashraf, OUT! RUN OUT! On a length around middle and off, Sharafuddin Ashraf smashes this to wide long on for a single. Noor Ahmad comes for the second willing to sacrifice for the team and ends up doing so. Noor Ahmad tried to sneak another quick single with Ashraf, but the throw from the fielder went to Sakib at the bowler's end, who then threw it to the keeper, Jaker Ali, who removed the bails, resulting in Noor Ahmad's run-out. Afghanistan's innings ends at 151/9.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Sharafuddin Ashraf, Back of the hand, slower one, around off. Sharafuddin Ashraf plays the slog early and ends up chipping this towards long on. Rishad Hossain runs in from the fence and throws it towards the striker's end with Sharafuddin Ashraf struggling to get back in. Jaker Ali, behind the stumps, collects this and fumbles while breaking the stumps. The on-field umpire sends this upstairs and the replay shows that the missed opportunity from Ali to break the stumps at the first go allows Ashraf to gets back inside his crease.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Sharafuddin Ashraf, FOUR! Smashed away for a crisp boundary. Pitched-up around middle and off, Sharafuddin Ashraf leans back a shade and drives this beyond point for a boundary.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Sharafuddin Ashraf, Back of a length around middle and off, Sharafuddin Ashraf looks to pull this but gets beaten as this stays really low.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Sharafuddin Ashraf, SIX! THIS IS GIGANTIC! Full toss around middle and off, Sharafuddin Ashraf plants his back foot deep inside his crease and smashes this up and over the fence towards the long on region for a 95m six.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Noor Ahmad, On a length around middle and leg, Noor Ahmad chips this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Mustafizur Rahman to Sharafuddin Ashraf, Short-pitched, around off, Sharafuddin Ashraf looks to play the upper cut but misses out.

Mustafizur Rahman to Noor Ahmad, Good length on off, Noor Ahmad rolls this to long on for one.

Mustafizur Rahman to Noor Ahmad, Back of a length around off, Noor Ahmad pushes this back to the bowler's left.

Mustafizur Rahman to Noor Ahmad, FOUR! A boundary to begin for Noor as well. On a length around off, Noor Ahmad cuts this well past the point fielder to his right for a boundary.

Mustafizur Rahman to Rashid Khan, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Jaker Ali takes a good catch to send Rashid Khan back. On a length wide of off, Rashid Khan looks to get cute by just opening his bat face and guiding this past the keeper's right but this was hit close to Jaker Ali behind the stumps and Ali dives to his right and takes a good catch to send Khan back.

Mustafizur Rahman to Sharafuddin Ashraf, LEG BYE! On a length around middle and leg, Sharafuddin Ashraf swings but he does it before the ball arrives. The ball beats his bat and strikes him around his abdomen. The ball rolls towards cover and the batters take a leg bye.

Taskin Ahmed to Rashid Khan, FOUR! Rashid gets off the mark with a boundary. Short and wide of off, Rashid slashes hard at it and gets an inside edge that bounces just behind the stumps and lobs the keeper for a boundary behind the stumps.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, OUT! CAUGHT! Taskin Ahmed has the last laugh but not before Mohammad Nabi played his part. Slower one, around middle and off, Mohammad Nabi swings a shade early, gets it spooned just outside the circle in the straight 'V' on the on-side. Rishad Hossain runs in from the fans and takes a good catch.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! Third biggie of the over already and this is the biggest of them all. Back of a length around middle and leg, Mohammad Nabi gets a shade inside the line of it and just flicks this for a biggie towards the deep square leg region.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length around off, Mohammad Nabi dabs this out on off.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! AND MORE! Low full toss arond middle and off, Mohammad Nabi stands still, deep in his crease and slogs this right out of the middle of his bat for a huge six over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region this time.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! High and handsome for a huge six. A touch too full, wide of off, Mohammad Nabi moves a shade to his leg and nails the lofted drive, up an dover the fence towards deep cover for a biggie.

Mustafizur Rahman to Mohammad Nabi, Short-pitched, around off, Mohammad Nabi pulls this flat to deep square for one.

Mustafizur Rahman to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Just a tickle from Mr. President of the Afghan team and the ball has raced to the fence for four. Good length on the pads, Mohammad Nabi tucks this fine to the right of short fine leg for four runs.

Mustafizur Rahman to Sharafuddin Ashraf, Good length around off, Sharafuddin Ashraf hits this away for just one.

Mustafizur Rahman to Sharafuddin Ashraf, Back of a length around off, Sharafuddin Ashraf rocks back and smashes this through cover for a couple here.

Mustafizur Rahman to Sharafuddin Ashraf, Cutter, going across the batter. Sharafuddin Ashraf looks to run this through point but gets beaten.

Mustafizur Rahman to Mohammad Nabi, On a length around middle and leg, Mohammad Nabi clips this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Nasum Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Darted on off, Mohammad Nabi punches this through cover and takes one.

Nasum Ahmed to Sharafuddin Ashraf, Quicker one around off, Sharafuddin Ashraf dabs this to short third for a quick single.

Nasum Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Fuller on off, Mohammad Nabi punches this though cover for a single.

Nasum Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Short and wide outside off, Mohammad Nabi cuts this towards deep point's left for two.

Nasum Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Quicker one around off, Mohammad Nabi keeps it out as well.

Nasum Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Floated around off, Mohammad Nabi defends this one.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Sharafuddin Ashraf, Back of a length delivery, around off. Ashraf lets it go.

Sharafuddin Ashraf comes in at number 8.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! CAUGHT! Tanzim Hasan Sakib has the last laugh! Another slower delivery, on a length, just outside off. Gurbaz is early into the cut shot, gets the outside edge, and spoons it toward the backward point region, where Rishad Hossain takes the catch. Afghanistan slide further.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Slower bumper, angled into the middle. Gurbaz is through the pull shot early and misses it completely.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX! THAT'S GONE ALL THE WAY! Slower, short of a good length delivery, around off. Gurbaz makes room and hammers it over the long-off boundary for a powerful hit.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length delivery again, outside off. Nabi slaps it toward backward point and a half stop from the fielder keeps it to one.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length delivery, outside off. Nabi looks to cut but misses.

Rishad Hossain to Mohammad Nabi, Flatter on the leg. Nabi works it through backward square leg for a single.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUTSTANDING EFFORT! Flighted full, outside off. Gurbaz drags it from around off and slog-sweeps it uppishly to the deep backward square leg region. Emon near the ropes, makes a terrific effort to take the diving grab and then throw it back into play as he loses his balance and was going to hit the boundary cushion. Saves five runs.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Flatter googly, on the middle. Gurbaz makes room and cuts it toward the deep extra cover region for a quick couple.

Rishad Hossain to Mohammad Nabi, Flatter on off. Nabi tucks it toward the wide long-on region and settles for one.

Rishad Hossain to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! MAMMOTH! Floated full, on off. Nabi sits low and smokes it over the bowler for a straight colossal hit.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Flatter googly, on the leg. Gurbaz nudges it toward mid-wicket and takes one.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Sharp short ball, around off. Nabi ducks under it and lets it go.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Slips in a perfect yorker in the blockhole. Nabi gets the bat down in time and keeps it out. Four dots now.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Banged in short, just outside off. Nabi sways out of the line and lets it go.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Hard length delivery, on the middle. Nabi defends it to short mid-wicket.

Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, IN THE AIR BUT LANDS SAFE! Short of a good length, on off. Nabi looks to block, gets a leading edge in front of the short cover fielder. Nurul Hasan nearly takes a diving catch.

Taskin Ahmed to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Back of a length delivery, around off. Gurbaz cuts it uppishly toward wide mid-off for a single.

Rishad Hossain to Mohammad Nabi, Flatter leggie, around off. Nabi knocks into the off-side.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, LEG BYE! Googly, on the pad. Gurbaz helps it toward short fine leg, off his pad, and they take a leg bye.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Flatter now, around off. Gurbaz punches it toward extra cover where Nurul Hasan makes a fine stop.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Flighted full, around off. Driven to the man at short extra cover.

Rishad Hossain to Mohammad Nabi, Floated googly, on off. Nabi prods and gets it off the inner half toward mid-wicket for one.

Mohammad Nabi comes to the crease at number 7.

Rishad Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai, OUT! TAKEN! RISHAD HOSSAIN GETS HIS SECOND! Tossed up full, just outside off. Omarzai looks to take on the bowler but fails to get the height or the distance. Goes straight to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who is not going to miss out on this one. Afghanistan have lost half of their side now.

Mustafizur Rahman to Azmatullah Omarzai, On a length, on off. Omarzai makes room and steers it through point for a single.

Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Slower length ball, on the leg pole. Gurbaz backs away and tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! EDGED AWAY! On a length, angling across the batter. Gurbaz moves across and guides it past the keeper, runs down to the deep third region for a cheeky boundary.

Mustafizur Rahman to Azmatullah Omarzai, Back of a length, on off. Omarzai dabs it down to deep third for one.

Mustafizur Rahman to Azmatullah Omarzai, Slower length ball, on the middle and leg. Omarzai knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Back of a length on the hip. Gurbaz tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! Bangladesh have made a solid start in the first half of the innings, taking four wickets and controlling the scoring rate. Afghanistan will hope for Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai to stitch a solid stand and take the score past 150.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Azmatullah Omarzai, Nearly! Slower length ball, on off. Omarzai chips it to the bowler, who comes forward and nearly takes a return catch.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Azmatullah Omarzai, Back of a length, around off. Omarzai dabs it toward the backward point, and they call for one. An overthrow in the outfield results in the second run.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! SHOT OF THE DAY! Back of a length delivery, outside off. Omarzai makes room and slaps it over the deep extra cover region, goes sailing over the ropes for a mighty six.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Azmatullah Omarzai, Slower length ball, just outside off. Omarzai knocks it to the short cover fielder.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Azmatullah Omarzai, Short of a good length, on off. Omarzai stabs it to backward point.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Azmatullah Omarzai, Back of a length delivery, just outside off. Omarzai rides the bounce and dabs it to point.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Quicker wrong'un, at the stumps. Gurbaz defends from the crease.

Rishad Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai, Flatter on off. Omarzai knocks it to long-on for one.

Rishad Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR! UP AND OVER! Floated full, outside off. Omarzai comes forward and lofts it inside out toward the deep extra cover region for a glorious boundary.

Rishad Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai, Floated full, on off. Omarzai prods and pushes it to point.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tosses it on a length, around off. Gurbaz drives it to deep cover point for one.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX! TONKED! Floated full, in the slot. Gurbaz clears the front leg and thumps it over long-on for half a dozen.

Nasum Ahmed to Azmatullah Omarzai, Flatter arm ball, on the middle. Omarzai knocks it back to the bowler.

Nasum Ahmed to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Flat and outside off. Cut away to deep point for one.

Nasum Ahmed to Azmatullah Omarzai, Flighted on off. Omarzai makes room and pushes it through covers for a single.

Nasum Ahmed to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tad short and outside off. Gurbaz cuts it to deep cover point for one.

Nasum Ahmed to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fuller and quicker on off. Gurbaz bunts it back to the bowler.

Nasum Ahmed to Azmatullah Omarzai, Tossed up full, just outside off. Omarzai pushes it uppishly through the cover point region for one.

Rishad Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai, Flatter leggie, around off. Omarzai knocks it through covers for one.

Rishad Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai, Tossed up on off. Pushed to the cover fielder.

Azmatullah Omarzai comes in at number 6.

Rishad Hossain to Mohammad Ishaq, OUT! ISHAQ FINDS THE FIELDER! Tosses it full, just outside off. Ishaq gets low and sweeps it uppishly toward the deep square leg region. Shamim Hossain there, takes a safe catch and Ishaq departs for just one. Afghanistan are four down.

Rishad Hossain to Mohammad Ishaq, Floated full, around off. Ishaq pushes it to the cover fielder.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tossed up on off. Gurbaz drops into the off-side and takes one.

Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX! BANG! Floated full, in the slot. Gurbaz makes room and tonks it over the long-off fence for a massive hit.

Rishad Hossain comes into the attack.

Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Slower length ball on the pad. Gurbaz tucks it round the corner for a single.

Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Short of a length delivery, angling across the batter. Gurbaz sways out of the line and lets it go.

Mustafizur Rahman to Mohammad Ishaq, On a length, on off. Ishaq turns it off the inner half toward the square leg region and they take the single.

Mustafizur Rahman to Mohammad Ishaq, Another mix-up almost results in a wicket. Slower length ball, on off. Ishaq knocks it toward the short cover fielder. The batter tries to sneak a run, but Gurbaz is sent back. He puts the dive, and that saves him. The third umpire has a look and confirms that the batter is well in.

Mohammad Ishaq walks in at number 5.

Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! RUN-OUT! A huge mix-up and Afghanistan lose another! Skiddy length ball, around off. Gurbaz knocks it to the left of the bowler and looks to sneak a run. Rahman runs around and throws it to the keeper's end. Rasooli wasn't keen on the run but ended up sacrificing his wicket. Afghanistan are three down in the powerplay.

Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Lands it on a length, and around off. Gurbaz drives it on the up toward the cover fielder.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Darwish Rasooli, On a hard length, around off. Rasooli punches it to the man at mid-off. A successful over for Bangladesh.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Darwish Rasooli, Short of a good length, around off. Rasooli knocks it to the cover region.

Darwish Rasooli is in at number 4.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Sediqullah Atal, OUT! GONE! STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Tanzim Hasan Sakib strikes! Fuller than a good length, on the middle and leg. Atal looks to flick it through the leg side but gets the leading edge that flies to the cover point region. Emon circles under it and takes a sharp catch. Afghanistan are two down.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Slower length ball, on off. Gurbaz shimmies down and knocks it to mid-off for one.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Back of a length delivery, around off. Gurbaz rides the bounce and dabs it to point.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! Tanzim Hasan Sakib is greeted in style! Fuller than a length, around off. Gurbaz charges down and drills it through extra cover and mid-off for a cracking boundary.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib comes into the attack.

Nasum Ahmed to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Floated full, on off. Gurbaz eases it to long-off for a single.

Nasum Ahmed to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tossed up on off. Gurbaz presses forward in defence.

Nasum Ahmed to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Short and outside off. Gurbaz cuts it hard but finds the man at point.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks in at number 3.

Nasum Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, OUT! BOWLED'EM! NASUM AHMED DRAWS FIRST BLOOD! Flatter arm ball, angled into the middle and leg. Zadran looks to hack it across the line but misses, and the ball goes crashing into the stumps. An early wicket for Bangladesh as Ibrahim Zadran departs for 15.

Nasum Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Flighted full, around off. Atal shimmies down and chips it over the infield, toward the long-off region. Tanzim Hasan Sakib makes a fine effort, stops the ball just inside, and saves a run.

Nasum Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, Tossed up on the full, on middle. Zadran makes room and drives to long-off for one.

Taskin Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Back of a length delivery, around off. Atal mistimes the pull shot to the man at mid-wicket.

Taskin Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Short of a good length, on off. Atal stays back and dabs this to point region. Three dots in a row now.

Taskin Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Slower length ball, around off. Atal comes forward and taps into the off-side.

Taskin Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Fuller than a length, outside off. Atal mistimes the drive to the cover point fielder.

Taskin Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! GLORIOUS! Half volley outside off. Atal gets a good stride forward and times it through covers for an elegant boundary.

Taskin Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, Hard length delivery on the middle. Zadran tucks it toward mid-wicket and takes one.

Nasum Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, Floated full, on off. Zadran pushes it to long-off for one.

Nasum Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, On a length, on off. Atal tucks it toward square leg and takes one.

Nasum Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Floated full, on off. Atal comes down and drills it back to the bowler.

Nasum Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Flatter again, on the middle and leg. Atal advances and works it toward the wide long-on region for a couple.

Nasum Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Flatter in length, on off. Atal comes down and knocks it toward mid-off.

Nasum Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal, Tossed up full, on off. Atal prods and defends into covers.

Nasum Ahmed will share the attack.

Taskin Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR MORE! PUNISHED! On a length and strays down the leg. Zadran helps this to fine leg for an easy boundary. 12 runs off the opening over.

Taskin Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! STAND AND DELIVER! Fuller than a good length, around off. Zadran comes forward and times it through the cover region for a second boundary in the over.

Taskin Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, Short of a good length, around off. Zadran knocks it toward cover point.

Taskin Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, Pitched full, around off. Ibrahim Zadran strokes it to the short cover fielder.

Taskin Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Afghanistan are away in style! Fuller than a good length and outside off. Ibrahim Zadran goes for the drive and gets it past the backward point fielder for a cracking boundary to open his account.

Taskin Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran, Taskin Ahmed starts with a short of a good length delivery, around off. Ibrahim Zadran looks to punch through covers, ends up coming off the inner half, back to the bowler.

All set to begin! The two sides stride out in the middle and line up for their respective national anthem. It will be Bangladesh's first, followed by the national anthem of Afghanistan. We are now done with the pre-match formalities. Bangladesh fielders now take their respective field positions. Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal will open up for Afghanistan. Taskin Ahmed has the new ball in hand. Let's go...

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (C), Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Ishaq, Fareed Ahmad.

Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Jaker Ali (C)(WK), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Nurul Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

TOSS - Afghanistan have won the toss and will BAT first.

Considering the venue, Sharjah's historically spinning wickets strongly favor Afghanistan's world-class trio of spinners. Coupled with the absence of Litton Das and the recent batting struggles of Bangladesh, Afghanistan holds a notable advantage. So, which side will come out on top? We shall find out. Toss and team news to follow shortly...

Bangladesh, meanwhile, is dealing with the absence of their regular captain, Litton Das, pushing them to rely on the experience of others. While the fast-bowling duo of Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman provides a strong foundation, their batting unit desperately needs consistency. All eyes will be on players like Saif Hassan to replicate his form, and the team will be eager for a reliable top and middle-order effort to support the impressive control shown by spinner Rishad Hossain. A potential late entry for all-rounder Soumya Sarkar could be a crucial factor.

Afghanistan enters this series with a point to prove and a refreshed squad. Under the steady leadership of Rashid Khan, they've injected new, youthful energy with the inclusion of players like Wafiullah Tarakhil and Bashir Ahmad. They retain a powerful core, featuring the explosive batting of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the spin wizardry of Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad. Their spin-heavy attack, well-suited to the Sharjah pitch, will be their primary weapon as they aim to dominate their subcontinental rivals.

Welcome to the Sharjah Cricket Ground for the opening fixture of the three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh! After a disappointing Asia Cup campaign, both teams are looking to shake off the rust and stamp their authority early in this crucial series. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, every game provides an invaluable opportunity to test combinations, find form, and build crucial momentum.

... MATCHDAY ...

The stage is set in Sharjah for a three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, a contest that pits a star-studded, yet recently underperforming, Afghan side against a Bangladesh team looking to build on their Asia Cup Super Four berth. The deck at Sharjah is historically slow and low, often favouring the team batting first, where a 'slow and steady' approach is key to setting a competitive total. With both sides boasting quality spinners like Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Nasum Ahmed, and Mahedi Hasan, the middle overs will be a crucial battleground, where turn and guile will likely supersede raw pace. Afghanistan, captained by the returning Rashid Khan, has plenty to prove, having lost three of their last four T20I encounters against the Tigers. The onus will be on the top order, particularly openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal, to lay a solid foundation on a difficult track. The experienced trio of Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rashid himself provide a deep batting line-up, with all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai also a vital cog in the middle. The bowlers, with Rashid leading the spin attack, will need their pacers to execute variations to find success on a surface that demands smart bowling. Bangladesh, led by Jaker Ali, enters the series with confidence from their Asia Cup win over Afghanistan, though their subsequent Super Four batting collapses against Pakistan and India remain a concern. While their bowling, featuring Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and spinners Nasum and Rishad Hossain, has been impressive in recent outings, their top-order batting has been consistently underwhelming. Key batters like Towhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, and Mahedi Hasan must deliver significant contributions, especially given the struggles of the opening pair. This series is a golden opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their T20 combination and iron out batting wrinkles before future assignments. For Afghanistan, the key is converting potential into performance, particularly with the bat. For Bangladesh, their formidable bowling attack gives them a fighting chance in any low-scoring scrap, but their top six must show resilience and intent to chase down or post a respectable total on this demanding ground. This surely promises to be a cracker.