Twitter Reactions: Nasum Ahmed, Liton Das combine well to take Bangladesh to clinical victory in T20Is opener

After winning the ODI series 2-1, Bangladesh took on Afghanistan in the first of two T20Is and despite having a lot of T20 superstars, the visitors faltered to put up a good show yet again. The batting proved to be a big drawback again for Mohammad Nabi’s led side while Bangladesh had a lot more positives to take out of the game. Liton Das seemed to have become a game-changer at the top and he has continued his good performances from the 50 over format.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Fazalhaq Farooqi got the better of opener Mohammad Naim (2) in just the third over while his partner Munim Shahriar followed him in the fifth over having been struck LBW by Rashid Khan. The in-form batter Liton Das was happy to play his shots from one end, while Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Mahmudullah couldn’t affect the scoreboard massively.

Afif Hossain who came into the crease after the downfall of Mahmudullah looked with better intent and he got the scoreboard clicking with a 24-ball 25. However, it was Liton’s innings of 60 from 44 balls that got Bangladesh to a decent total in the end and the tailenders along with the help of extras ensured the hosts crossed the 150 run mark. Farooqi and Azmatullah picked up two wickets each while Rashid finished with an outstanding spell of one for 15 in four overs.

Nasum Ahmed breaks the backbone of Afghanistan’s batting lineup

In reply, the Afghanistan side wasn’t off to a good start having lost the impact player Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Hazrattulah Zazai and Darwish Rasooli were sent back in the same over soon to leave the visitors tottering at three wickets for just eight runs in the third over. Nasum Ahmed made the difference for the Bangladesh side as the left-arm spinner broke the backbone of the batting lineup with the top-order wickets.

Karim Janat was dismissed in the fifth over as well and the onus was on Najibullah Zadran and skipper Mohammad Nabi to take the side home. After a 37 run partnership between the experienced duo, Shakib picked up both batters in a quick span while Rashid could manage just one run in his seven-ball stay.

Omarzai was the last of the hope for Afghanistan and it was curtains once he was dismissed for an 18 ball-20. The tail was wrapped up soon as the visitors were skittled for just 94 in the 18th over. Shoriful Islam picked up three wickets in the end, as it was a complete dominating display from the host nation to take a lead of 1-0 in the two-match T20I series.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the win: