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Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan in a nail-biting encounter in the 9th match of the Asia Cup 2025. This was a must-win game for the Litton Das-led side, and they rose to the occasion, clinching their second victory of the tournament by just 8 runs in a nail-biter clash at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
After being put in to bat, Bangladesh posted a modest total of 154 for 5. At one stage, it looked like Afghanistan would chase it down comfortably. But Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling turned the match on its head, and the Afghan batters crumbled under pressure, getting bowled out for 146 runs.
Tanzid Sets the Tone With Aggressive Fifty
Bangladesh got off to a flying start thanks to a blistering knock from Tanzid Hasan, who smashed 52 runs off just 31 balls. He put on a solid 63-run opening stand with Saif Hasan (30), setting the platform for a big score.
The Tigers were cruising at 87 for 1, but Afghanistan’s spinners pulled things back. Rashid Khan (2/26) and Noor Ahmad (2/23) put the brakes on the scoring with some tight bowling in the middle overs. Azmatullah Omarzai also chipped in with a tidy spell, taking 1 for 19.
Despite the quick start, Bangladesh struggled to accelerate in the final overs. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals, and the Afghan bowlers managed to keep the batters quiet. Still, a few late blows helped Bangladesh cross the 150-run mark.
Afghan Batting Falters Under Pressure
Chasing 155, Afghanistan got off to a poor start. Sediqullah Atal fell for a duck as Nasum Ahmed gave Bangladesh their first breakthrough.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz tried to steady things with a quick 35, but once Rishad Hossain dismissed him, the Afghan batting line-up started to collapse. Wickets kept tumbling, and the pressure of a tricky chase got the better of their middle order.
Azmatullah Omarzai played a fighting hand with a 16-ball 30, trying to bring Afghanistan back into the game. But he received little support from the other end.
In the death overs, Mustafizur Rahman delivered the killer blows. He picked up two wickets in a single over, turning the game in Bangladesh’s favour. Afghanistan needed 23 runs off the last 9 balls with just one wicket in hand, but Bangladesh held their nerve. Mustafizur finished with 3 wickets, while Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Taskin Ahmed all claimed two each.
Afghanistan, who were unbeaten till now, suffered their first defeat of the tournament, while Bangladesh stayed alive in the competition with a hard-fought win. Rashid Khan-led side will now face Sri Lanka in their third Group Stage clash which will be a do-or-die match for them.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh: 154/5 in 20 overs (Tanzid Hasan Tamim 52, Saif Hassan 30; Rashid Khan 2/26, Noor Ahmad 2/23).
Afghanistan: 146 all out in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 35, Azmatullah Omarzai 30; Nasum Ahmed 2/11, Rishad Hossain 2/18, Mustafizur Rahman 3/28).
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