Tigers humbled by Afghans

A team effort helped Afghanistan record an easy six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second T20 on Tuesday and seal a historic series win with a game to spare.

First the Afghan bowlers, marshalled by spinner Rashid Khan, restricted the Tigers to 134 for 8, and then their top-order batsmen rose to the occasion to hand Bangladesh their second successive defeat.

The losing side are now running the risk of suffering a white-wash, something not even the most pessimist supporters had thought of.

Chasing a modest target of 135, openers Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani made 38 in 5.3 overs. Bangladesh bowlers did pick up wickets every now and then, but five of the four top-order Afghanistan batsmen made decent contributions to guide the team home.

Samiullah Shenwari was the Afghans' main man, his 49 off 41 balls were studded with two fours and three sixes. Shahzad made 24 while Ghani added 21.

Bangladesh was still in the game, but any chances of a fightback was nulled by Mohammad Nabi's 31 off 15 balls as the veteran slammed three fours and two sixes in the dying stages.

Winning the toss, skipper Shakib Al Hasan had opted to bat first, only to see in-form Shapoor Zadran removing Liton Das in the first ball of the second over, with just one run on the scoreboard.

Sabbir Rahman then hit Shapoor for three consecutive fours, but Nabi put an end to his promising innings in the next over. The batsman, who has been struggling for form, made 13 off 9 balls.

Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim then made 45 in the third wicket to steady the ship. Mushfiq made 22 off 18 while Mahmudullah added 14 off 8 overs.

Tamim fought alone, but a super over from Rashid Khan undid the Bangladesh batting as Shakib, Tamim and Mosaddek Hossain all fell in the space of five balls.

Number nine batsman Abu Hider hit an entertaining 14-ball 21, with one four and two sixes, to give the score a decent look.

Nabi claimed two wickets to give due support to Rashid, who was named the 'Man-of-the-Match' for his four wickets for just 12 runs.

The final game of the series will be played at the same venue on Thursday.