Bangladesh saved their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a close eight-run victory over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Bangladesh got off to a flying start after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan contributed significantly. The pair scored 63 points on the power play. Tanzid hit his fifty in just 28 balls, with seven boundaries in his 31-ball 52.
However, Afghanistan’s spinners recovered superbly. Noor Ahmad (2/23) and Rashid Khan (2/26) halted the flow of runs in the middle overs, eliminating Litton Das, Saif Hassan, and Shamim Hossain, while Bangladesh managed only 154/5 in 20 overs.
In Afghanistan’s response, Nasum Ahmed struck first, trapping Sediqullah Atal LBW. He then pulled Ibrahim Zadran on the power play. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib attempted to stabilise the innings, but Rishad Hossain’s double strikes put them on the back foot.
Azmatullah Omarzai ignited the chase with a sequence of sixes. His 30 off 16 balls shifted the momentum back, but Taskin Ahmed removed him just as he appeared to take the game away. Rashid Khan, the skipper, scored 20 runs from 11 balls. But Mustafizur Rahman, bowling the crucial 19th over, delivered once more at the death, conceding only five runs and dismissing Rashid, thereby sealing the victory.
Afghanistan needed 22 from the final over, and Noor Ahmad smashed a couple of sixes to narrow the margin of defeat. However, following his dismissal on the penultimate delivery, Afghanistan were bowled out for 146.
Who Said What?
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, Afghanistan (Losing Captain)
We were in the game till the end but couldn’t finish it off. 30 off 18 balls was very gettable. We have’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, Bangladesh (Winning Captain)
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. I don’t know, let’s see
India
