KEY POINTS
- Bangladesh must win against Afghanistan to keep their Asia Cup 2025 hopes alive
- Afghanistan aim to build on a strong start, led by Sediqullah Atal and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai
- Abu Dhabi pitch favours aggressive batting, but bowlers with variation could hold the key
ABU DHABI: Bangladesh captain Litton Das won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in a crucial Asia Cup 2025 encounter at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, with both teams eyeing a stronger push toward the tournament’s knockout stage.
Both teams are vying to solidify their positions and strengthen their bids for a spot in the tournament’s next round.
Bangladesh kicked off their campaign confidently with a seven-wicket win over Hong Kong, China, thanks largely to Litton Das’s steady 59 and impactful bowling performances from Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain.
However, a dramatic collapse against Sri Lanka has put pressure on the Bangla Tigers, making this match a must-win to keep their hopes alive.
Afghanistan also began with a statement win, crushing Hong Kong by 94 runs. Sediqullah Atal’s composed 73 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s blistering 53-ball fifty spearheaded the innings, though coach Jonathan Trott has emphasized the need for more stability following a mid-innings wobble.
This fixture promises a gripping contest between Afghanistan’s potent spin trio and Bangladesh’s in-form top order. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad will be key to choking runs in the middle overs, while Litton Das is pivotal for Bangladesh’s batting fortunes.
Tawhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali offer depth and balance, both desperate to bounce back after a disappointing showing against Sri Lanka.
On the bowling front, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib will look to make early inroads, particularly targeting Afghan stalwarts Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who have been decisive in recent clashes.
Historically, Afghanistan hold a slight edge in Asia Cup encounters, winning three out of five matches against Bangladesh, including a thrilling chase in 2022.
🚨 Playing XI 🚨
Twenty-two fierce competitors are set to take the field! 👕Will 🇧🇩 discover a hero to keep them running in the competition or will 🇦🇫 find knight that takes them through to the next stage?#BANvAFG #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/TSdPYesKha
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 16, 2025
However, Bangladesh’s dominating 334-run batting display in the 2023 edition demonstrated their ability to dominate the opposition.
Both sides view this as a pivotal game: Afghanistan keen to display their batting maturity, and Bangladesh eager to prove their consistency.
Form Guide
Afghanistan: W L W W W (last five matches)
Bangladesh: L W W L W
Players in the Spotlight
Azmatullah Omarzai has emerged as a vital all-rounder for Afghanistan, blending pace bowling with powerful hitting in the top six. His blistering 53 off 21 balls against Hong Kong set a new benchmark for Afghanistan’s fastest T20I fifty, marked by five sixes and two fours.
With the ball, Omarzai often breaks crucial partnerships, though he aims to improve his batting record against Bangladesh, having managed just 88 runs in six matches.
Shamim Hossain played a valiant knock against Sri Lanka, scoring an unbeaten 42 to rescue Bangladesh from trouble alongside Jaker Ali’s 41 not out.
Their sixth-wicket partnership of 86 runs highlighted their resilience, and Shamim’s late-innings attacking flair could prove vital against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack.
Afghanistan Probable Playing XI
1 Sediqullah Atal, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Mohammad Nabi, 5 Gulbadin Naib, 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Karim Janat, 8 Rashid Khan (capt), 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 AM Ghazanfar, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi
Bangladesh Probable Playing XI
1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Tanzim Hasan, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
Pitch and Conditions
The Abu Dhabi pitch has favoured aggressive batting throughout the Asia Cup, but has also offered assistance to bowlers who can vary their deliveries effectively. The forecast predicts high temperatures, adding another challenge for players on the field.
Trivia
Bangladesh’s cautious start against Sri Lanka, with two maiden overs at the beginning of their innings, was only the second instance of such an occurrence in a men’s T20I between Full Member nations — the first being Zimbabwe vs West Indies in 2010.
