Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by four wickets in the first T20I to take an early lead in the three-match series. Parvez Hossain Emon was adjudged Player of the Match for scoring 54 off 37 balls at a strike rate of 145.95.
Chasing 152, openers Emon and Tanzid Hasan Tamim gave Bangladesh a brilliant start, putting on 109 runs off 70 balls. Tanzid scored 51 off 37 deliveries at a strike rate of 137.84. Bangladesh were 109/1 at one stage, but within a few overs found themselves struggling at 118/6.
In the slog overs, Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain forged an unbeaten 35-run partnership off 18 balls to ensure Bangladesh reached the target without any further loss of wickets. Nurul scored an unbeaten 23, while Rishad remained not out on 14.
For Afghanistan, captain Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets. The wily leg-spinner finished with figures of 4/18 in his four overs at an economy rate of 4.50.
Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat. They had a poor start, losing three wickets in the powerplay. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the top scorer for Afghanistan, making 40 off 31 balls, including two fours and three sixes, at a strike rate of 129.03. Veteran Mohammad Nabi also played a valuable innings, scoring 38 off 25 balls with one four and four sixes, at a strike rate of 152.
The Bangladesh bowlers bowled well in order to restrict Afghanistan to a modest total. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain took two wickets each.
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