🏏T20 Asia Cup 2025: AFG vs BAN, 9th Match, Group B at Abu Dhabi🏏 - Page 17

What a time for Bangladesh to get their first-ever T20I win against Afghanistan overseas! The victory keeps their hopes alive in the Asia Cup and blows Group B wide open for a spot in the Super Fours.

Bangladesh with a close win. If they had lost tonight, they would have been out of the Super Four race. But the bowlers and fielders rallied around superbly to take their side home. Meanwhile live visuals show Rashid fuming at one of his players. Looks like it's Gurbaz who is having a chat with one of the umps. Rashid asks him to come with the rest of the team. Coming back to the chase - Nasum started off brilliantly with a first-ball wicket and then got Ibrahim LBW. He bowled outstandingly in the powerplay and Afghanistan were on the back foot. Just when a partnership was building, Bangladesh came back to take a wicket and that really didn't allow Afghanistan to get ahead. Omarzai was the dangerman and he looked to be in great nick too, but Taskin Ahmed got him and the wickets of Janat and Rashid sealed the deal almost for Bangladesh. Noor struck a couple of crucial sixes in the last over to help reduce the margin of defeat - also his blows will affect the NRR; which could still come into play. Finally a close game at this Asia Cup and a fine one at that.

What a dream start for Bangladesh and Nasum! He trapped Atal for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings and followed it up with a wicket-maiden over. However, Rishad dropped a straightforward catch of Ibrahim Zadran in the next over. Nasum struck again shortly after, trapping Ibrahim LBW. In stark contrast to Bangladesh's own start, Afghanistan only managed to score 27 runs in the powerplay, losing two crucial wickets. Just as Gurbaz and Gulbadin were starting to rebuild, Rishad came back to dismiss Gulbadin with a return catch. Right after the drinks break, Afghanistan lost the key wicket of Gurbaz, who had looked solid with 35 runs off 31 balls. As wickets continued to fall, the required run rate for Afghanistan climbed above 10. Omarzai gave Afghanistan a glimmer of hope with two massive sixes in the 14th over, scoring 20 runs and bringing the required run rate back under 10. This came after Litton Das's gamble with a part-time bowler backfired. Omarzai kept his team in the game with a few more big hits before Taskin Ahmed outsmarted him with a slower ball. Omarzai was out after a quickfire cameo of 30 runs off 16 balls. The death overs were full of twists and turns. A brilliant piece of fielding from Nurul resulted in Karim Janat being run out. Afghanistan's last hope, Rashid Khan, was then dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman with a wide, slower yorker. In the end, the Bangladesh bowlers and fielders held their nerve and restricted the runs, especially in the final overs, to secure the victory. This loss marks the 12th time Afghanistan had failed to chase a target of over 140 against a full-member Test nation in T20Is. The early struggle in the powerplay and several dropped catches and misfields in the field proved to be their downfall. They fell short by just 8 runs. Mustafizur took three wickets, while Taskin, Nasum, and Rishad each grabbed two.

Sunny R: "From 133 (when Fizz missed the run out) to 146, these 13 runs could hunt BD at a later stage, when NRR will come into play, given that AFG wins vs SL."

Laiq Khan.H: "Could you please share the chances scenario for Afghanistan?" They just need to win against Sri Lanka to qualify for the Super Fours

Originally posted by: SoniRita

Congrats Jo, see i told u BD will win

Nasum Ahmed | Player of the Match: I always fancy bowling with the new ball, that's what the captain has asked me to do. I love that challenge. There was a lot of sweat today so gripping the ball was a challenge but I enjoy these challenges.

Rashid Khan: We were in the game till the end but couldn't finish it off. 30 off 18 balls was very gettable. We haven't played the type of cricket we are famous for - attacking cricket. We let a lot of pressure build on ourselves. The way we came back with the ball to restrict them under 160 was special, but with the batting we played some irresponsible shots. In T20 sometimes the opposition take the game away in the first six overs, but then you have to come back. Lots of learning for us from this game. In the Asia Cup each game is important. We need to be well prepared for Sri Lanka, it will be a big challenge for us.

Litton Das: Winning the game was a relief, but we didn't bat very well in the last 4-5 overs. I felt there were enough runs but still we felt we were 15-20 runs short. The way Nasum and Rishad bowled was special, they really showed their skill. Today Tamim batted very well, the opening partnership was crucial. (On will he be supporting Sri Lanka now) I don't know, let's see.

Afghanistan have never successfully chased a 140+ target against a Full Member team bar Zimbabwe.