Bangladesh kept their Super Four hopes alive with a thrilling 8-run win over Afghanistan, thanks to a late burst of wickets from Mustafizur Rahman and excellent support from Taskin Ahmed on 16 September. The match came down to the final overs as Afghanistan attempted a late charge, but Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve.
After struggling through the middle overs, Afghanistan needed 45 runs from the last four overs. In the 16th over, Taskin Ahmed struck back after Azmatullah Omarzai hit a massive six. Omarzai attempted another big hit but mistimed it and was caught at backward point by Saif Hassan for 30 off 16 balls. Afghanistan were 110/6, needing 45 from 24 balls.
Rashid Khan tried to keep his side in the hunt, hitting a ‘no-look’ six off the first ball of Mustafizur’s 17th over and following it with a boundary. That over went for 14 runs, leaving Afghanistan needing 31 from 18 balls.
The 18th over brought more drama as Karim Janat was run out. Pushing for a quick single off the first ball of Nasum Ahmed’s over, Janat was caught short when Rashid failed to back up at the non-striker’s end. Afghanistan fell to 128/7, requiring 27 runs from 12 balls.
The 19th over became decisive. Rashid Khan struck a boundary off the first delivery but was immediately dismissed on the next ball, caught at short third man by Taskin Ahmed, bringing Mustafizur into the spotlight. Following this, Allah Ghazanfar edged the next ball to the wicketkeeper, giving Bangladesh their ninth wicket. Mustafizur finished with figures of 3 for 28, having removed the key Afghan power hitters in the penultimate over.
With just 22 needed from the final over, Bangladesh’s bowlers defended smartly to complete a nail-biting victory. Their disciplined bowling under pressure ensured Afghanistan fell short, allowing Bangladesh to remain in contention for the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup.
Super Four hopes hinge on Sri Lanka result
In Group B, Sri Lanka lead the table with two wins from two matches, collecting 4 points and holding a strong net run rate (NRR) of +1.55. Bangladesh also have 4 points from three games, with two wins and one loss, but their NRR of -0.27 keeps them below Sri Lanka despite being level on points. Afghanistan sit third with 2 points from two matches, having won once and lost once, but their impressive NRR of +2.15 gives them a strong chance to progress if they beat Sri Lanka in their final group match.
Bangladesh’s Super Four fate remains precarious. Despite their vital win over Afghanistan today, they could still be eliminated if Sri Lanka fail to overcome Afghanistan on 18 September. Thanks to Afghanistan’s superior net run rate, a Sri Lankan loss would see Bangladesh miss out, highlighting the fine margins in Group B. Only the top two teams from the group will advance to the Super Four stage.
Afghanistan need 53 with 5 overs left after Rishad and Mustafiz strikes
Bangladesh’s bowlers clawed the game back in the middle overs after Afghanistan threatened to mount a chase led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz. With five overs remaining, Afghanistan stand at 102 for 5, requiring 53 runs from 30 balls to overhaul Bangladesh’s 154.
The first major breakthrough came when Rishad Hossain dismissed Gulbadin Naib for 16, taking a sharp return catch to leave Afghanistan 51 for 3 in the ninth over. Gurbaz, still set at the other end, tried to take control of the chase, reaching 35 off 30 balls by the halfway mark.
However, the leg-spinner struck again just after drinks. Gurbaz attempted to lift a sweep over deep backward square but found Jaker Ali in the deep. His dismissal for 35 off 31 balls was a telling blow, as Afghanistan slumped to 64 for 4 after 11 overs.
Mohammad Nabi arrived with intent, smashing Saif Hassan for a six in the 12th over – his 111th in T20 internationals – to keep Afghanistan in the contest. But Mustafizur Rahman ended his stay in the 13th over, bowling him for 15 off 15 balls. That left Afghanistan reeling at 77 for 5.
Karim Janat joined Azmatullah Omarzai, but Bangladesh sensed they had prised open the middle order.
Omarzai, though, had other plans. Targeting Saif Hassan’s part-time off-spin in the 14th over, he hammered a four and two sixes before collecting a pair of twos, taking 20 runs from the over. That assault briefly reignited Afghanistan’s chase and cut the requirement to 58 runs from the last six overs.
Litton Das turned back to Rishad for his final over, and the leg-spinner delivered once more. Despite Omarzai’s intent, Rishad conceded only five runs from the 15th over, finishing with outstanding figures of 4–0–18–2.
Afghanistan closed the 15th over at 102 for 5, with Omarzai unbeaten on 24 off 13 balls (one four, two sixes) and Janat on 4 off 5. The required run rate has climbed to 10.6, leaving them with a stiff challenge of 53 runs from 30 balls.
Litton Das turned back to Rishad for his final over, and the leg-spinner delivered once more. Despite Omarzai’s intent, Rishad conceded only five runs from the 15th over, finishing with outstanding figures of 4–0–18–2.
Afghanistan closed the 15th over at 102 for 5, with Omarzai unbeaten on 24 off 13 balls (one four, two sixes) and Janat on 4 off 5. The required run rate has climbed to 10.6, leaving them with a stiff challenge of 53 runs from 30 balls.
Nasum’s instant impact sets Bangladesh on top
Nasum Ahmed made an immediate impact as Bangladesh struck early in the powerplay against Afghanistan, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling performance.
Afghanistan lost their first wicket on the very first ball of their chase when left-arm spinner Nasum trapped Sediqullah Atal LBW for a golden duck. The ball pitched in line, Atal missed the straight delivery, and there was no chance for a review. Nasum conceded no runs in the first over, signalling the start of a tight spell.
Taskin Ahmed bowled from the other end in the second over, keeping the scoring in check. Although he delivered a couple of wides, his over yielded only three runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran managed to get off the mark, with Gurbaz hitting a four and a single while Zadran was yet to score. Nasum continued to trouble the batters, conceding only three runs in his second over and claiming the wicket of Zadran LBW, which survived an umpire’s call after a review. Afghanistan were 3/1 at the end of the second over, already under pressure.
Nasum’s disciplined bowling and clever variations kept the batters cautious, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz began to find the boundary, hitting a well-timed four off Taskin in the third over. Gulbadin Naib joined at number four and looked to rotate the strike, scoring singles and a boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking slowly. Once again, Nasum Ahmed struck, this time claiming the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran.
The sixth over from Mustafizur Rahman allowed some more runs, with Gulbadin driving and pulling confidently to collect four and two runs. However, Bangladesh’s fielding and dot balls limited the scoring opportunities, as five dot balls in the last 11 deliveries highlighted the pressure applied by the bowlers. Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur ensured that Afghanistan could not free their arms early in the innings, with the team reaching just 27/2 after six overs, struggling to accelerate against disciplined lines and lengths.
Bangladesh reach 154 with wasted opportunities in final five overs
Bangladesh managed just 35 runs in the last five overs of their innings against Afghanistan at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on 16 September 2025, finishing on 154/5 and setting a target of 155. The final overs were marked by tight bowling, dot balls, and a few expensive shots, reflecting a struggle to accelerate despite having wickets in hand.
Shamim Hossain’s dismissal in the 15th over to Rashid Khan for 11 (11 balls) set the tone. Bangladesh had started the over positively, with Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali taking singles and doubles, but Rashid’s accuracy with the googly and slower deliveries restricted the scoring. Shamim’s LBW, confirmed after a review, cost Bangladesh their first wicket in this critical phase.
In the 16th over, Noor Ahmad bowled tightly, conceding only five runs but claiming the crucial fourth wicket as Towhid Hridoy (20 off 14 balls) was eventually dismissed, leaving Bangladesh at 124/4. Jaker Ali struggled to find rhythm, managing just a single off his first ball of the over.
The 17th and 18th overs were equally frustrating for Bangladesh. Runs came sporadically, largely from clever placement rather than power hitting. Towhid and Jaker combined for 6 runs in the 17th over, while the 18th over saw 9 runs but the loss of Towhid Hridoy (26 off 20 balls) to Azmatullah Omarzai, caught at deep extra cover. Dot balls dominated both overs, highlighting Bangladesh’s inability to capitalise fully on the lower order and convert momentum into a higher total.
In the final over, Bangladesh managed nine runs, finishing their innings at 154/5. After Tanzid’s dismissal in the 13th over, Bangladesh could only add 50 runs in the remaining 7.1 overs. However, they lost just two wickets during this period, with Jaker Ali remaining unbeaten on 12 from 13 balls and Nurul Hasan 12 from six balls.
Bangladesh steady at 119/3 with five overs remaining
With five overs to go in their innings, Bangladesh reached 119 for the loss of three wickets in their must-win Asia Cup clash against Afghanistan at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on 16 September 2025. After a strong powerplay, the Tigers continued to build their innings with measured aggression and timely boundary hitting.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim had earlier reached his fifty in the 12th over, marking his seventh international T20 fifty and his fourth of 2025, a joint record for Bangladesh in a single calendar year. He scored 52 from 31 balls before falling in the 13th over while attempting a big shot off Noor Ahmad, caught at long-off by Ibrahim Zadran. Bangladesh lost their third wicket at 104, with Shamim Hossain walking in next.
The innings had seen milestones along the way. Bangladesh hit their 123rd six of 2025 in the 10th over, breaking their previous annual record of 122, with Tanzid contributing two of those sixes. Earlier, Saif Hassan had been dismissed by Rashid Khan for 30 off 28 balls, leaving captain Litton Das to continue the innings alongside Taohid Hridoy. Litton had previously been dismissed for nine off 11 balls in the 11th over by left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad, leaving Bangladesh 87/2.
In the 15th over, Noor Ahmad returned to bowl, conceding five runs. Towhid Hridoy struck a boundary off the fifth ball of the over, while Shamim Hossain rotated the strike efficiently. At this stage, Towhid had 17 from 11 balls with a boundary and a six, and Shamim was on 10 from nine deliveries. Noor Ahmad had figures of 3-0-17-2, while Rashid Khan had 3-0-21-1.
Bangladesh pass powerplay hurdle in style against Afghanistan
Bangladesh’s openers set the tone in the powerplay after winning the toss and opting to bat first in a crucial Group B encounter against Afghanistan at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on 16 September 2025. Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Saif Hassan combined aggressive strokeplay with smart strike rotation to ensure a strong start for the Tigers in this must-win match.
Saif Hassan was lucky to survive in the very first over when his lofted drive off Fazalhaq Farooqi at cover was dropped by Azmatullah Omarzai. Tanzid Hasan Tamim then produced an aggressive display in the third over, charging down the track to Farooqi and edging a hard-length delivery that sneaked between the wicketkeeper and first slip. He followed this with three consecutive boundaries in the same over, surviving a loud LBW appeal, with the umpire giving him the benefit of the doubt.
In the fourth over, Saif smashed a huge six over long-off off AM Ghazanfar, getting down on one knee, while Tanzid targeted Ghazanfar again in the final over of the powerplay with two slog-swept sixes. The pair combined smart strike rotation with boundary hitting to recover from early jitters.
By the end of the powerplay, Bangladesh were 59/0. Saif had scored 26 off 25 balls, while Tanzid was striking at 32 off just 12 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. This marked Bangladesh’s highest opening partnership in 12 international T20 matches across all opponents.
The pitch looked good for batting, with a few deliveries racing to the boundary. Observers noted that while the surface might slow slightly later, teams would benefit from maximising the powerplay and pacing their innings carefully. A total of 160–165 was projected, with extra runs off the death overs seen as key to a competitive score.
With four changes to the XI, Bangladesh included experienced performers Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Saif Hassan, and Nurul Hasan Sohon, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shariful Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Sheikh Mahedi Hasan were left out.
Bangladesh opt to bat first, make four changes for must-win clash against Afghanistan
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in a must-win Group B clash against Afghanistan at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on 16 September 2025. The Tigers have made four changes to their playing XI as they aim to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Having played two matches so far, Bangladesh have won one and lost one. They began the tournament with a victory over Hong Kong but suffered a heavy defeat against Sri Lanka, which dented their net run rate (NRR). A win today is crucial, and ideally, they will need a strong performance to improve their NRR above Sri Lanka’s to stay in contention.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, are in a slightly better position. Their dominant opening win against Hong Kong boosted their NRR significantly, although they still have to face Sri Lanka. Ahead of this match, there is a notable squad change for Afghanistan, with Naveen-ul-Haq ruled out after failing to receive medical clearance and Abdollah Ahmadzai called up in his place.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said: “I would have liked to bat first, but in T20s, it doesn’t really matter. The guys had three days off and we had a good practice session. Our strength is our bowling, especially our spin attack. We need to bowl well as a unit and consistently hit the right spots. We have to go into this with a positive mindset. My body feels great, and I’m looking forward to enjoying the game. We’re playing with the same team that played against Hong Kong.”
Bangladesh captain Litton Das added: “We’ve decided to bat first. The whole team is excited for this game, as it’s a must-win for us. The pitch looks a little slow, so a total of 160 should be a good score. The surface seems good for batting, despite being a bit slow. The mood in the camp is positive; we’ve had a good few months. We can’t dwell on the last game. We have made four changes to the team, with Taskin coming back. We’re going with three spinners and two fast bowlers.”
Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Nurul Hasan, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed
Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Bangladesh’s four changes see experienced performers Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Saif Hassan, and Nurul Hasan Sohon brought into the XI, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shariful Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Sheikh Mahedi Hasan have been left out.
