A thrilling 8-run victory for Bangladesh over Afghanistan in the Group B clash at the Asia Cup 2025 held at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Chasing Bangladesh's total of 154 after their bowlers had kept cool under pressure, Mustafizur Rahman snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the last over. As for the Tigers, they kept themselves alive in contention for the Super Four berth, while Afghanistan's batting collapse represented a missed opportunity.
Bangladesh's Confident Start of Batting
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first. Following a quick-fire 50 by Tanzid Hasan Tamim, scoring 52 off 31 deliveries with 4 fours and 3 sixes, he maintained momentum in the middle overs.
Litton Das was dismissed early by Noor Ahmad's bowling, but Tamim and Saif Hassan looked safe and sound in their rebuild. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, the spinners from Afghanistan, soon struck timely blows and put the brakes on the flow of runs. Bangladesh, although with wickets in hand, should have capitalized on them more at the end, but finished with 154 runs at the end of 20 overs.
Afghanistan's Stuttering Chase
Afghanistan's top order left by the wayside right away, setting off a chase that had trouble mounting. Nasum Ahmed had sent Sediqullah Atal packing for a golden duck and soon also trapped Ibrahim Zadran, sending further woes down the chase.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 35 runs off 31 balls, while a procession of wickets kept falling around him. Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib chipped in briefly with contributions, while Azmatullah Omarzai rekindled some hopes of an Afghan win with an explosive 30 off 16 deliveries. The lack of key partnerships and disciplined bowling from Bangladesh made the chase never really alive.
Tamim's half-century: His explosive 52 set the groundwork for Bangladesh's competitive total. Nasum Ahmed's double strike: Getting Atal and Zadran in the powerplay hampered Afghanistan's start.
Drama in the Last Overs
The match was very much alive with Rashid Khan in the 19th over, who needed 27 runs. However, Mustafizur Rahman was exemplary with his yorkers and slower balls. Bangladesh celebrated a hard-earned victory by 8 runs with the entire team and the crowd in frenzy.
Key Players
Tanzid Hasan Tamim- 52 (31), the innings which very well proved to be the match-winning knock.
Nasum Ahmed- Bagged 2 early wickets that hampered Afghanistan's chase.
Mustafizur Rahman- Maintained calm and clinically finished the game in the second last over.
Man of the Match
The Man of the Match award went to Nasum Ahmed for his brilliant spell with the new ball. His early breakthroughs dismantled Afghanistan’s chase and set the tone for Bangladesh’s defense.
What The Result Means
The win was vital for Bangladesh because it kept them in the contest and boosted their belief after a faltering start in the tournament. Afghanistan, on the other hand, would be bitterly disappointed after getting close but not being able to conjoin partnerships at critical junctures. What limited them was in their inability to rotate strike and hold their nerves at crucial tight moments.