On each occasion, Nurul Hasan Sohan’s calmness in pressure moments, batting alongside the tailenders, proved decisive.
Head coach Phil Simmons expressed satisfaction with the team’s character but, with a smile, warned that such nail-biting victories “could give people heart problems.”
In the first match, Bangladesh had been cruising at 109 for no loss while chasing 152, only to suddenly collapse, losing six wickets for just nine runs. With the game slipping away, Sohan’s unbeaten 23 off 13 balls, supported by Rishad Hossain’s 14 off 9, pulled the Tigers over the line.
The second match followed a similar script. Set 148 to win, Bangladesh slipped to 24 for 3 before Jaker Ali (32 off 25) and Shamim Hossain (33 off 22) rebuilt with a 56-run partnership. Yet, once both departed, the Tigers again came under pressure.
This time, Sohan’s composed 31 not out off 21 deliveries, alongside Shoriful Islam’s unbeaten 11 off 6 balls, guided Bangladesh home with five balls to spare.
Reflecting on the team’s batting, Simmons noted the improved approach against Afghanistan’s famed spin attack: “We played their spinners well today, and that’s their strength. Yesterday we didn’t do it as well, but today we handled them much better. That’s what we came here to do.”
He also emphasized the middle order’s responsibility: “We have several middle-order batsmen and on different days, different players will get their chance. Jaker and Shamim started it today, and Sohan finished it. That’s what we ask of them; when they get the opportunity, they must take responsibility.”
Even Simmons admitted to feeling the nerves during the tense finish, joking: “It’s harmful for me too (laughs). Cricket is like that. The good thing is, when you keep winning close games, you gain confidence for the next one. But it’s not good for our hearts, we can’t always take it.”
Bangladesh, having already sealed the series 2-0, will look to complete a clean sweep in the final T20I in Sharjah on October 5.
