On Tuesday evening, when Bangladesh captain Litton Das was asked by Matt Floyd whether Bangladesh would support Sri Lanka against Afghanistan, he responded lightly, as their Super Four qualification now depends on the Lankans.
“I don’t know, let’s see,” Litton replied with a cheeky smile at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
If Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan, Bangladesh will secure their place in the next round. With a negative net run rate, Bangladesh’s Super Four hopes now rest on Sri Lanka.
Tonight in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan will face Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh will be hoping for a Lankan victory, though net run rate calculations will ultimately decide their fate.
Even with a win over Hong Kong, Bangladesh’s net run rate suffered after losing to Sri Lanka, leaving them at -0.270 after beating Afghanistan. Sri Lanka’s net run rate is +1.546, Bangladesh’s is -0.270, and Afghanistan’s is +2.150. If Sri Lanka win, Bangladesh will advance to the Super Four regardless of net run rate. Even if the match is abandoned, Bangladesh will still qualify.
However, if Afghanistan win, they will top the group and advance to the Super Four. In that case, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be separated based on net run rate.
Currently, Sri Lanka have the advantage. In the group’s final match, if Afghanistan bat first and score 200 runs, Sri Lanka will need to chase 128 to reach the last four. If Afghanistan score 150, Sri Lanka will require just 84 runs.
If Sri Lanka bat first, Bangladesh’s path to the Super Four depends on Afghanistan chasing the target within 11 to 12 overs.
Bangladesh spinner Nasum Ahmed, speaking realistically at the team hotel on Wednesday, said, “Whoever plays well will win. I’m not stressing over these things. Whatever is destined to happen, will happen.”
Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim added, “What’s in the past is gone. Now, we will focus on the equation in front of us.”
Looking back at the 2024 T20 World Cup Super Eight, Australia faced a tricky situation after losing to India by 24 runs. If Bangladesh had beaten Afghanistan, Australia would have advanced to the semifinals. Remembering this, Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh jokingly urged during the post-match presentation, “Come on, Bangladesh!”
Similarly, Bangladesh’s fate now hangs in the hands of the Sri Lankans. Even with Marsh’s playful support in the past, Bangladesh lost that crucial match against Afghanistan, and Australia were eliminated. This time, however, Bangladesh will certainly be hoping that Sri Lanka do not lose.
