Key Points
- Tanzid Hasan led Bangladesh’s batting with a quickfire 52 off 31 balls.
- Mustafizur Rahman starred with the ball, taking 3 crucial wickets for 28 runs.
- Afghanistan fell short at 146, with the match going down to the final delivery.
ABU DHABI: Bangladesh clinched a nail-biting 8-run victory over Afghanistan in a high-stakes Group B clash at the Asia Cup 2025, defending a modest total of 154 to keep their tournament hopes alive. The match went down to the final ball at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, delivering a dramatic finish that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh posted 154/5 in their 20 overs. Young opener Tanzid Hasan led the charge with a fluent 52 off 31 balls, smashing four boundaries and three sixes. He was well supported by Saif Hassan (30 off 28) and Towhid Hridoy (26 off 20), as Bangladesh capitalised on a strong powerplay but lost momentum in the middle overs.
Afghanistan’s spin duo Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad were the pick of the bowlers, each grabbing two wickets and keeping the scoring rate in check. Despite a few late blows from Nurul Hasan (12 off 6)* and *Jaker Ali (12 off 13)*, Bangladesh’s total looked just about par.
In response, Afghanistan’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing Sediqullah Atal on the very first ball. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35) and Azmatullah Omarzai (30 off 16) kept the innings alive with attacking strokes, while Rashid Khan (20 off 11) threatened to snatch the game away in the final overs.
However, Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve. Mustafizur Rahman was the standout, picking up 3 for 28, while Nasum Ahmed (2/11) and Rishad Hossain (2/18) applied the brakes in the middle overs. Taskin Ahmed finished with 2 for 34, taking key wickets at the death.
With 9 runs needed off the final over, Afghanistan lost their last wicket on the final delivery, finishing at 146 all out, handing Bangladesh a thrilling win by 8 runs.
The result throws Group B wide open, as both teams were in contention for a place in the Super Four. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack, especially in the final overs, proved the difference in a match that saw momentum swing wildly throughout.
Match Summary:
Bangladesh: 154/5 (Tanzid Hasan 52, Saif Hassan 30; Rashid Khan 2/26, Noor Ahmad 2/23)
Afghanistan: 146 all out (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 35, Omarzai 30; Mustafizur 3/28, Nasum 2/11)
Player of the Match: Mustafizur Rahman for his decisive three-wicket haul
Bangladesh will look to carry this momentum into their next group-stage match, while Afghanistan will now rely on other results to stay in the race for the Super Four stage.
