ABU DHABI (SNP Report): A blistering half-century from Tanzid Hasan and a disciplined all-round bowling effort powered Bangladesh to a hard-fought eight-run victory over Afghanistan in the ninth match of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The result revived Bangladesh’s campaign and kept their Super Four hopes alive.
Set a target of 155, Afghanistan fought valiantly but fell short, bowled out for 140 on the final delivery of the innings. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz anchored the chase with a steady 35 off 31 balls, while Azmatullah Omarzai (30) and Rashid Khan (20) produced quickfire cameos to keep their side in the hunt. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs. Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the attack with 3/26, while Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, and Taskin Ahmed chipped in with two wickets each.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Litton Das’s decision to bat first was vindicated by a strong top-order performance. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan laid the foundation with a brisk 63-run stand before Rashid Khan broke through in the seventh over. Saif contributed a handy 30 off 28 balls, striking two fours and a six, while Tanzid played the innings of the match. The left-hander smashed 52 off 31 balls, laced with four boundaries and three towering sixes, to put Bangladesh firmly on the front foot.
Following Tanzid’s dismissal to Noor Ahmad, Bangladesh’s middle order chipped in with valuable runs. Towhid Hridoy struck a lively 26 off 20 balls, while Jaker Ali and Nurul Hasan remained unbeaten with 12 runs each, steering the Tigers to a competitive 154/5 in 20 overs. For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad picked up two wickets each, while Omarzai claimed one.
SCORES IN BRIEF: BANGLADESH 154/5 in 20 overs (Tanzid Hasan 52, Saif Hassan 30, Towhid Hridoy 26; Rashid Khan 2/29, Noor Ahmad 2/30) beat AFGHANISTAN 140 all out in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 35, Azmatullah Omarzai 30, Rashid Khan 20; Mustafizur Rahman 3/26, Rishad Hossain 2/21, Nasum Ahmed 2/25, Taskin Ahmed 2/28) by 8 runs.
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