Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 8 runs to stay alive in Asia Cup

Afighting half-century by Tanzid Hasan and superb bowling by Mustafizur Rahman took centre stage as Bangladesh players held their nerve to beat Afghanistan by eight runs in a Group B encounter of the Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

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Mustafizur was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh as he bagged three wickets while Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Nasum Ahmed dismissed two scalps each. With this win, Bangladesh keep themselves alive in the tournament and fight for a spot in the Super 4 stage. Before this match, Afghanistan never chased a target of more than 150 against a full member Asian nation.

Chasing 155, Afghanistan had a disastrous start as they lost opener Sediqullah Atal on the very first ball of the innings by Nasum Ahmed. It was a wicket maiden for the spinner. Ibrahim Zadran came to bat at No. 3 and joined Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The duo tried to rebuild the innings and struck a few fours before Nasum struck again to dismiss Zadran in the fifth over. Gulbadin Naib came to bat No. 4 and struck Mustafizur Rahman for a four to reach 27/2 at the end of the powerplay.

Gulbadin and Gurbaz stitched a 33-run vital partnership for the third wicket before Rishad Hossain caught and bowled the former for 16. Gurbaz kept the scoreboard running and smashed Saif Hassan for a six over long-off. Afghanistan were 61/3 at the halfway mark.