Bangladesh stumble after bright start and set 155-run target for Afghanistan

Despite a brilliant start, Bangladesh lost momentum in the middle overs and never managed to recover. As a result, Litton Das's side could not set Afghanistan a target of more than 155 runs.

With their hopes of reaching the Asia Cup Super Four on the line, Bangladesh skipper Litton opted to bat first after winning the toss in Abu Dhabi. Following a double duck in the previous match against Sri Lanka, the Tigers made four changes to their XI, including a reshuffle in the opening partnership. Saif Hassan replaced Parvez Hossain Emon and, alongside Tanzid Hasan Tamim, provided Bangladesh with a solid start. Remarkably, the Tigers recorded a fifty-run opening stand for the first time in 12 innings.

Afghan captain Rashid Khan broke the stand in the over immediately after the powerplay. Saif, attempting a slog sweep, was bowled for 30 off 28 balls with two fours and a six. Before that, he and Tanzid had added 59 runs in the first six overs, 72 per cent of which came in boundaries. The last time Bangladesh's openers put on a fifty partnership was back in June, when Emon and Tanzid added 110 against Pakistan in Lahore.

When Saif departed, the score stood at 63. Litton could not contribute much either, falling LBW while attempting a sweep against Noor Ahmad's wrong 'un. It was the Bangladesh captain's 19th dismissal while sweeping against spinners. Noor, who has taken more wickets (134) in T20 internationals than any other bowler since early last year, also dismissed Tanzid. The left-hander reached his fifty in 28 balls but survived only three more deliveries, departing for 52 off 32 with four fours and three sixes. After the powerplay, he struggled to accelerate. Shamim Patowary too failed to deliver, scoring just 11 off 11 balls before being trapped LBW by Rashid.

At the toss, Litton had said that 160 would be a par score on this wicket. Yet, despite the solid opening, Bangladesh fell short. Efforts from Zakir Ali and Nurul Hasan Sohan in the final overs could not lift the scoring rate significantly. Earlier, Towhid Hridoy made 26 off 20 balls with one four and one six before falling to Azmatullah Omarzai.

Nurul's 12 off six balls, including two boundaries, at least pushed Bangladesh past 150, while Zakir remained unbeaten on 12 off 13. In the end, Bangladesh finished on 154 for 5, with as many as 48 dot balls in the innings. Noor and Rashid were Afghanistan's most successful bowlers, picking up two wickets apiece.

Bangladesh's inability to tackle the Afghan spin challenge after a promising start left them with a below-par total.