Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2018, Super 4 Round, Match Preview: Rashid Khan The Key In a Do-Or-Die Thriller at Abu Dhabi

Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be competing against each other in the Match 4 of Super 4 of Asia Cup 2018, on Sunday. Both the teams would need a win as both Bangladesh and Afghanistan have suffered losses in their previous respective Super 4 games. Another loss, on Sunday, would virtually kick them out of the 2018 Asia Cup tournament.

Afghanistan lost a last-over thriller against Pakistan on Friday. The team did everything right, except for faltering on the finishing line. They set Pakistan a formidable target after half centuries from Asghar Afghan and Hashmatullah Shahidi helped Afghanistan post 257 on the board.

In the second innings, Pakistan kept calm by keeping wickets and scoring at near 4 an over. It seemed like they would again face another horrific collapse while chasing; however, the calm and composure of Shoaib Malik came to their aid. The senior player hit a crafty half-century ensuring that his side wins crosses the finish line. Asia Cup 2018 Points Table: Pakistan Defeats Afghanistan, Occupies Second Spot in Super 4 Round Team Standings of Asian Cricket Tournament.

As for Bangladesh, the team could not match up the stellar performance put up by the Indian team. Ravindra Jadeja, who made a comeback in the Indian team after a period of 14 months, ripped through their batting order after fast-bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled splendidly in the start. Jadeja picked 4 wickets, while Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar picked 3 wickets each.

In the second innings, skipper Rohit Sharma scored a half-century, while significant contributions from Shikhar Dhawan and MS Dhoni ensured that the Indian team faced no other hassles while chasing down the mere target of 174 runs. Asia Cup 2018: Hasan Ali, Asghar Afghan, Rashid Khan Fined 15 Per Cent of Their Match Fees.

Both Bangladesh, and Afghanistan would have learnt their lessons, and would be looking forward to put an improved show, on Sunday. The last time the two sides met a few days ago, it was Afghanistan who had the last laugh.

Afghanistan won the match by 136 runs in the dead-rubber group stage match on September 20. Rashid Khan and Hashmatullah Shahidi scored half centuries that saw them score 255 runs in the first innings.

In reply, the Pakistan team bundled on 119 runs as Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan picked up two wickets each; while, Aftab Alam, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmat Shah picket up a wicket each.

Come Sunday, both Afghanistan and Bangladesh would be playing to survive further in the Asia Cup 2018 tournament. However, Afghanistan would have a mental advantage over Bangladesh as they beat them comprehensively when they last met. Will Afghanistan win again or will Bangladesh have their revenge?

Afghanistan Asia Cup 2018 Squad: Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Ihsanullah Janat, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmat Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Samiullah Shinwari, Munir Ahmad Kakar (wk), Sayed Ahmad Sherzad, Sharafudin Ashraf, and Yamin Ahmadzai.

Bangladesh Asia Cup 2018 Squad: Masrafe Bin Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Tamim Iqbal Khan, Mohammad Mithun, Litton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam Apu, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, and Abu Haider Rony.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2018 12:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).