Sharjah was abuzz with anticipation as Afghanistan and Bangladesh squared off in the final T20I of their three-match series on Sunday, October 5, 2025. The stakes were clear: Afghanistan, having already lost the series 2-0, desperately sought to avoid a whitewash and snap a nagging four-match losing streak. Bangladesh, meanwhile, eyed a dominant series sweep, keen to extend their recent resurgence in the shortest format.
The narrative leading into this contest was one of contrasting fortunes and mounting pressure. For Afghanistan, the past year in T20 Internationals has been a paradox. Despite a sluggish scoring rate — the slowest among all full-member nations in 2025, with an average just over 20 runs per over — and the inability to cross the 200-run mark even once this year, they somehow managed to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, toppling giants like Australia and New Zealand along the way. Yet, in bilateral series and high-pressure moments, the Afghans have stumbled, their last successful chase against a top-10 side dating all the way back to October 2023.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, began the year on rocky ground, suffering a series defeat to the UAE and a 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan. But the Tigers have since roared back, stringing together three consecutive series wins over Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Their momentum carried them to a third-place finish in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, a performance that’s injected new confidence into the squad.
The head-to-head record between these two Asian rivals has shifted in Bangladesh’s favor. After Afghanistan’s four-match winning streak in 2018-19, the Tigers have claimed five of the last six encounters since 2023, including both tightly contested matches in this series. The current tally stands at 8-7 for Bangladesh, with Afghanistan managing just one win in four T20I meetings in the Emirates. The trend could hardly be clearer: Bangladesh have found a way to close out games, seizing the initiative at crucial moments, while Afghanistan have struggled to deliver the knockout punch when it matters.
The Sharjah pitch has played its part in shaping this series. Both matches so far have been low-scoring, attritional affairs dominated by spin. Spinners have bagged 16 wickets compared to just 12 for the pacers, and the worn surface has made fluent strokeplay a rarity. With yet another hot and humid evening in store — temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Celsius at the start, with a touch of dew expected later — conditions were set for another battle of wits and patience.
Team selection added further intrigue. Afghanistan have been in full experimentation mode with their batting order, searching for a combination that can break their run of defeats. The likely return of Fareed Ahmad as the primary specialist pacer offered a glimmer of stability to their bowling attack. For Bangladesh, the series already in the bag, there was room to shuffle the deck. Soumya Sarkar, returning from injury, and Towhid Hridoy were tipped for opportunities, while Shoriful Islam might make way for Taskin Ahmed, with Tanzim Hasan Sakib set to share new-ball duties.
The probable XIs reflected the shifting sands of selection. Afghanistan lined up with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Mohammad Ishaq, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Fareed Ahmad. Bangladesh countered with Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali (c/wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman.
Fans tuning in via the Fancode app and website were treated to a contest that, if the series so far was any indication, promised drama to the very last over. Afghanistan’s form guide heading into the decider was less than stellar: just four wins from ten T20Is in 2025, three of those coming against Associate sides UAE and Hong Kong. Their Asia Cup campaign ended at the preliminary stage after close losses to Sri Lanka and, crucially, Bangladesh. The Tigers’ recent form told a different story, with wins piling up and a sense of momentum building within the camp.
But cricket, as ever, refuses to bow to form or history alone. The Afghans, acutely aware of their shortcomings in closing out games, were determined to flip the script. The series had exposed a worrying pattern: as soon as matches reached a flashpoint, Bangladesh found a way to seize control — be it a streaky boundary or a clutch wicket. For Afghanistan, Sunday’s finale was about more than just avoiding a whitewash; it was about restoring belief, finding rhythm with the bat, and proving they can hold their nerve when the pressure is at its peak.
Bangladesh, for their part, were not content to rest on their laurels. With the T20 World Cup looming just four months away, every opportunity to test bench strength and fine-tune combinations is precious. The possible inclusion of Soumya Sarkar and Towhid Hridoy signaled a willingness to experiment, but the competitive fire remained undimmed. The Tigers’ ability to adapt to conditions, particularly their spinners’ dominance on slow Sharjah tracks, has been a highlight of the series and bodes well for future assignments.
Adding to the context of Bangladesh’s cricketing calendar is the announcement of Ireland’s upcoming tour of Bangladesh in November 2025. The Bangladesh Cricket Board revealed that the series will feature two Test matches — the first at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from November 11, and the second at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur starting November 19 — followed by three T20Is in Chattogram on November 27, 29, and December 2. This tour is set to be historic for Bangladesh, as veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim, aged 38, stands on the brink of his 100th Test appearance. Should he play both matches, Mushfiqur will become the first Bangladeshi to reach the coveted 100-Test milestone, further cementing his legacy.
The upcoming series against Ireland is also notable as the first-ever full Test series between the two nations. They have met only once before in Test cricket, back in April 2023, when Bangladesh secured a seven-wicket victory in Mirpur. Ireland will arrive in Bangladesh on November 6, keen to make their mark in what promises to be a closely watched encounter.
For now, though, all eyes remain fixed on Sharjah. Afghanistan’s quest for redemption and Bangladesh’s pursuit of a statement sweep have set the stage for a compelling finale. With pride, momentum, and vital preparation for the T20 World Cup at stake, both teams know that every over counts. As the sun sets over the desert, cricket fans worldwide are left wondering: will Afghanistan finally break their duck, or will Bangladesh’s winning run roll on?
One thing’s for certain — the action in Sharjah is far from over, and the battle for supremacy between these Asian rivals remains as fierce as ever.
