Nabi’s late fireworks lift Afghanistan to 293

Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan built their innings around opener Ibrahim Zadran’s steady 95 off 111 balls, while Nabi’s explosive finish in the last five overs turned a modest total into a challenging one.

Afghanistan were 249 for 9 in the 48th over before Nabi launched a late assault, smashing five sixes and four fours in the space of 21 balls.

His onslaught — 44 runs coming in just two overs off Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud — lifted the scoring rate to nearly six an over by the end.

Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Afghanistan a brisk start with 42 off 44 balls before being trapped by Tanvir Islam. Zadran and Sediqullah Atal then steadied the innings with a 74-run stand for the second wicket.

But Bangladesh’s spinners struck back in the middle overs.

Saif Hassan, playing as a part-time off-spinner, claimed three wickets for only six runs — dismissing Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Ikram Alikhil — to pull Afghanistan back to 188 for five.

However, Nabi’s counterattack negated that progress, taking full advantage of Bangladesh’s erratic death bowling.

Hasan Mahmud picked up two wickets but leaked 57 runs in six overs, while Mehidy’s nine overs cost 67. Tanvir Islam was the most economical with 2 for 46 from his 10 overs.Bangladesh now need 294 runs to win and avoid a whitewash, having already lost the series 2–0, reports UNB.