Chasing 152, Bangladesh raced to 109 without loss as openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Parvez Hossain Emon struck fluent half-centuries. But the game turned dramatically when Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan ripped through the middle order, triggering a collapse of six wickets for just nine runs.

Emon was trapped leg before by Fareed Ahmad for 54 off 37 balls, while Tanzid made 51 off 37 before falling to Rashid, who went on to remove Saif Hassan, Jaker Ali, and Shamim Hossain in quick succession. Tanzim Hasan Sakib then fell lbw to Noor Ahmad, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 118 for six.

With defeat looming, Nurul Hasan Sohan and Rishad Hossain steadied the innings, adding an unbeaten partnership of 35 to seal victory with eight deliveries to spare.

Earlier, Afghanistan recovered from 40 for four to post 151 for nine, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 40 off 31 and Mohammad Nabi’s 38 off 25. Tanzim and Rishad claimed two wickets each for Bangladesh.

The second T20I will be played at the same venue on Friday, with Bangladesh eyeing a series win ahead of Sunday’s final match. The two teams will then meet in a three-match ODI series in Abu Dhabi.