KEY POINTS
- Bangladesh posted 154/5 after a strong start by Tanzid Hasan (52) and Saif Hassan (30) in their Group B Asia Cup clash against Afghanistan.
- Afghanistan’s spinners, led by Noor Ahmad (2/23) and Rashid Khan (2/26), pulled things back during the middle overs.
ABU DHABI: Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 154 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs against Afghanistan in a crucial Group B encounter of the Asia Cup 2025 at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a strong start courtesy of a brisk half-century from Tanzid Hasan, who smashed 52 off 31 balls with four boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 167.74.
His opening partner, Saif Hassan, played a more measured knock, scoring 30 off 28 deliveries before falling to Rashid Khan.
Despite the solid foundation of 63 runs for the opening wicket, Bangladesh lost momentum in the middle overs. Skipper Litton Das (9) and Shamim Hossain (11) fell cheaply, while Towhid Hridoy chipped in with a useful 26 off 20 balls.
In the death overs, Jaker Ali (12*) and Nurul Hasan (12* off 6 balls) provided a late flourish to push Bangladesh past the 150-mark.
Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-0-23-2, removing Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan. Rashid Khan maintained pressure through the middle overs, finishing with 2 for 26 in his full quota. Azmatullah Omarzai claimed one wicket and conceded just 19 runs in his 3 overs.
While the pitch in Abu Dhabi offered some assistance to the spinners, the Afghan bowlers will now look to complement their batting firepower with a focused chase. With a target of 155, the match is delicately poised, a must-win for both sides seeking a berth in the next round.
All eyes will now turn to how Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Afghanistan’s top order approach the chase, especially under the pressure of tournament progression.
