Afghans end on 164-6 as Saif takes four
Saifuddi picked up four wickets whereas Shakib picked up a couple.
Afghanistan have scored 164-6 against Bangladesh in the third match of the 'OBHAI Tri-nation T20 series'.
Winning the toss, the Afghan captain Rashid Khan decided to bat first. No changes were made to either of the sides as both were coming from a win against Zimbabawe.
Afghanistan were pushed back on the very first delivery as Saifuddin sent Rahmanullah's off stump for a walk with an outstanding delivery. The ball pitched on the seam and moved away to hit the off stump, sending the young Afghan back to the pavilion for a golden duck.
The other Afghan opener, Hazratullah Zazai, was sent back by Shakib the very next over as the batsman holed out to Liton Das at deep mid-wicket to reduce Afghanistan to 10-2.
Najeeb Tarkai tried to break the shackles with a six off Saifuddin in his second over but another lofted shot proved one too many as he was caught at the boundary. It was Saifuddin's second and Afghanistan were reduced to 19-3.
Shakib struck again in the last over of the powerplay to send back Najibullah Zadran as the Afghan batsman skied the ball in an attempt to clear the boundary. Soumya Sarkar completed a good catch to reduce Afghanistan to 40-4 and ensure Shakib's second.
Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi put up a good stand between them to steady the Afghan ship. Afghan was caught at the boundary of Taijul, but replays showed that the bowler overstepped and the batsman stayed.
The 79-run partnership was finally broken by Saifuddin as Afghan holed out to Sabbir at long-on on 39. Gulbadin Naib did not last long as his stumps were rattled by Saifuddin, who picked up his fourth wicket of the match.
Mohammad Nabi unleashed himself on Soumya to score 22 runs off the over, picking up his fifty in the process. Mustafiz only conceded three runs in the last over, but the damage was done.
Nabi's storm at the end meant Afghanistan ended on 164-6, as Nabi stayed unbeaten on 84 off 54 deliveries. The Afghans scored 55 runs in the last five overs, well lower than the 88 they scored against Zimbabwe.
Saifuddin was the pick of the bowlers as he ended up with the figures of four for 33. Shakib picked up the other two wickets conceding 18 runs.
