By Himadullah Sohoo 
Bangladesh edged out Afghanistan by eight runs in a tense Group B clash of the Asia Cup, keeping their hopes alive for the knockout stages. The win was built on Tanzid Hasan’s explosive half-century and sealed by Nasum Ahmed’s miserly spell, which earned him the Player of the Match award.
Bangladesh Lay the Platform
Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat on a track that slowed as the evening progressed. Tanzid Hasan (52 off 31) provided the early fireworks, smashing four boundaries and three sixes to set the tone. His opening stand with Saif Hassan (30 off 28) ensured Bangladesh raced past fifty inside six overs.
Though wickets fell at regular intervals, cameos from Towhid Hridoy (26 off 20) and a steady finish by Jaker Ali (12)* and Nurul Hasan (12 off 6)* carried Bangladesh to 154/5 in 20 overs.
Afghanistan’s bowlers fought back strongly in the middle overs. Noor Ahmad (2/23) and skipper Rashid Khan (2/26) tightened the screws, but the total still looked competitive under lights.
Afghanistan’s Faltering Reply
Afghanistan’s chase started disastrously, losing Sediqullah Atal off the very first ball. The in-form Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35 off 31) tried to rebuild, but wickets at the other end hurt momentum.
The middle order provided flashes of hope—Azmatullah Omarzai blasted 30 off 16 and Rashid Khan struck 20 off 11—yet they failed to convert starts into a match-winning innings.
Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve under pressure. Mustafizur Rahman (3/28) showed his class at the death, while Taskin Ahmed (2/34) provided breakthroughs at key moments. The star of the night, however, was Nasum Ahmed, whose exceptional figures of 2/11 in four overs strangled Afghanistan’s batting in the powerplay.
Afghanistan were eventually restricted to 146 all out in 20 overs, falling short despite a spirited lower-order fightback.
Brief Scores
Bangladesh 154/5 (20 overs): Tanzid Hasan 52 (31), Saif Hassan 30 (28), Towhid Hridoy 26 (20); Noor Ahmad 2/23, Rashid Khan 2/26
Afghanistan 146 (20 overs): Rahmanullah Gurbaz 35 (31), Azmatullah Omarzai 30 (16), Rashid Khan 20 (11); Mustafizur Rahman 3/28, Nasum Ahmed 2/11, Rishad Hossain 2/18
Result: Bangladesh won by 8 runs
Player of the Match: Nasum Ahmed (2/11)
Zainab Shafiq