Bangladesh keep Super Four hopes alive with narrow win
Afghanistan will now face Sri Lanka in their final group-stage match. A Sri Lankan victory would ensure Bangladesh’s place in the Super Four.
At the crease, Azmatullah Omarzai had looked like the biggest obstacle in Bangladesh's path to victory. Handling the pressure with fearless batting, he was steering Afghanistan's chase. But in the 16th over of the innings, Taskin Ahmed dismissed him. Omarzai tried to play a slower delivery straight with the bat, only for the ball to catch the top edge and land safely in the hands of Saif Hassan. Taskin's roar and fist pump told the story of his joy, as the Bangladesh camp erupted in celebration.
Omarzai's departure, after scoring 30 off 16 balls, proved decisive. Bangladesh held on to the momentum until the very end, clinching an eight-run win to keep their Super Four hopes alive. Afghanistan will now face Sri Lanka in their final group-stage match. A Sri Lankan victory would ensure Bangladesh's place in the Super Four.
Earlier, Bangladesh opted to bat first and posted 154 for five, thanks to a half-century from Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The Tigers made a flying start, but a mid-innings collapse slowed their momentum. They failed to recover fully at the death, missing out on a chance to record their highest T20 total against Afghanistan, which stands at 157.
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In a tactical change, Saif Hassan opened alongside Tanzid instead of Parvez Hossain Emon. The decision paid off as Bangladesh finally put together a 50-run opening stand after 12 innings without one. But the partnership ended in the over following the powerplay, when Afghan skipper Rashid Khan dismissed Saif (30) with a low delivery that skidded through and bowled him as he attempted a slog sweep.
At 63 for one, skipper Litton Das came to the crease but failed to make an impact. Sweeping at Noor Ahmad's wrong'un, he was trapped lbw for 9. Noor struck again to remove Tanzid for a quickfire 52 off 31 balls, an innings studded with four fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 167.74.
Bangladesh's trusted finishers, Shamim Hossain and Zakir Ali Anik, disappointed on the night. Shamim managed just 11 off 11 deliveries, while Zakir made an unbeaten 12 off 13. Nurul Hasan Sohan, however, added a useful unbeaten 12 from six balls to push the team past the 150 mark.
For Afghanistan, Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan both took two wickets apiece, while Omarzai claimed one.
