AFG 245 All Out in 44.3 Overs (Target 335) | Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Highlights of Asia Cup 2023: Tigers Register Comprehensive 89-Run Victory, Stay Alive in Super Four Race

What a performance it has been for Bangladesh! After that drubbing at the hands of Sri Lanka, the players showed character and bounced back in emphatic fashion. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, is one for the future and Bangladesh cricket would hope he continues to deliver with both bat and ball in the days to come. Najmul Hossain Shanto was terrific too and should Bangladesh make it the Super Four stage, his performance would be very crucial for them in the tournament. The bowlers also hit the right lengths and impressed one and all. Afghanistan on the other hand, have a lot of things to worry about. Their bowling has to be at their best against Sri Lanka and so shall their batters as they gear up to face the likes of Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana. September 5 is set to be a pretty exciting one for sure as the fate of the teams in Group B in this competition would get decided on that day.

Bangladesh have registered a comprehensive victory, by 89 runs here! They dominated right from the outset and have kept themselves alive in the race to qualify for the Super Four stage. Their batters came up with dominant performances in this game after a poor outing in the last one. This is a superb victory led by centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Having posted 334 runs on the board, Bangladesh bowlers took the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz early but a partnership between Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran threatened to bring Afghanistan back into the match. But Bangladesh fought back with some good fielding and bowling. Afghanistan now need to win against Sri Lanka and hope for net run rate to bail them out if they have to make it to the Super Four stage. 

OUT! Karim Janat is run out at the non-striker's end by a direct hit from Anamul Haque! Bangladesh are closing in on a massive win here and Afghanistan, at best can get close to the target to avoid issues with the Net Run Rate. Karim Janat run out (Anamul Haque) 1(1)

Karim Janat run out (Anamul) 1(1)

OUT!  Taskin Ahmed has the wicket of Mohammad Nabi with a well-directed bouncer. The right-hander tried to send it over the rope but it did not get the distance with Afif Hossain taking a good catch. All going downhill for Afghanistan now. Mohammad Nabi c Afif Hossain b Taskin Ahmed 3(6)

OUT! Afghanistan have lost the wicket of their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and it is a body blow here for his team. He tried to hit a lofted shot and the ball flew straight to the third man where Hasan Mahmud took a good catch. Hashmatullah Shahidi c Hasan Mahmud b Shorful Islam. 

OUT! And just when the Afghanistan innings was gaining momentum, Bangladesh have struck, dismissing Najibullah Zadran. The left-hander attempted to swipe on the leg side and missed the ball, which crashed into the stumps. A good wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz being the bowler. Najibullah Zadran b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 17(25)

FIFTY for Hashmatullah Shahidi! The Afghanistan captain has led from the front here and what a fine knock it has been. He started off slowly and accelerated later on. He will be key to Afghanistan's chances in this match. 

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Najibullah Zadran have done well to lead Afghanistan in this match. Although Bangladesh are putting more and more pressure with good bowling, these two left-handers have been playing some delightful strokes, putting up a fight for their side. 16 overs remain in this match. 

OUT! A big big wicket this for Bangladesh and what a catch from Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps! Hasan Mahmud bowled a delivery outside off-stump and Ibrahim Zadran, who was batting so well, got an outside edge while trying to play a punch on his backfoot. And Rahim came up with full-stretched dive to take the catch! Ibrahim Zadran c Mushfiqur b Hasan Mahmud 75(74)

OUT! Taskin Ahmed has provided Bangladesh with the breakthrough here and has castled Rahmat Shah! A bit of a nothing-shot from Shah, who attempted a big hit but missed the ball as it crashed into the stumps. Bangladesh finally break Afghanistan's resistance. Rahmat Shah b Taskin Ahmed 33(57)

Afghanistan batters have found some momentum in the past few overs and they would like to continue in the same manner. The pitch has been great for batting and hence, they will believe they can get these runs. Bangladesh on the other end, need a wicket here to regain momentum. 

Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah have somewhat steadied Afghanistan's run chase after they lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz early on. Bangladesh are still on top and putting pressure on Afghanistan. An interesting period of play this at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

OUT! Shoriful Islam has struck for Bangladesh and dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz! The right-hander can become a very dangerous player is he gets going and Bangladesh, after not having reviewed an lbw shout earlier, has got their man. Afghanistan under pressure early on in this run chase. Rahmanullah Gurbaz lbw b Shoriful Islam 1(7)

A very impressive batting effort here by Bangladesh, as they have managed a whopping 334/5 on the board. They got off to a good start, also capitalising on some poor bowling by Afghanistan and despite losing two wickets, a massive partnership that yielded 194 runs between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took Bangladesh to a strong position from where they never looked back. A big task for Afghanistan here and they need to have a good start with the bat here. 

Century for Najmul Hossain Shanto as well! The left-hander has been in good form this Asia Cup, having scored 89 in the first game. He has absorbed pressure with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and has taken Bangladesh to a very strong position here. 

Mehidy Hasan Miraz had to retire hurt because of cramps on his left hand, after scoring his century in this match. This is a blow but Bangladesh have sent out fresh legs in the form of Mushfiqur Rahim to the crease. 

Century for Mehidy Hasan Miraz! What a fine knock it has been! Promoted to open the innings, he has come up with a superb performance for Bangladesh here. The right-hander smashed six fours and two sixes en route to the mark. It was also the third century of this year's Asia Cup. Remember, Bangladesh need to win this match to stay alive in the Super Four race and Miraz has given them good reasons why they should! 

The partnership between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto continues to grow and Afghanistan have looked clueless against this duo. Shanto started off his Asia Cup 2023 campaign with a good performance against Sri Lanka while Mehidy has been spectacular, having been given an opportunity to bat in the top-order. 

The partnership between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto is going strong. Mehidy has also completed a terrific half-century while Shanto is on course to notch up the same. The duo would look to keep up the good work in the coming overs.

Rashid Khan has been introduced into the attack for Afghanistan in this match for the first time and he has started off with a decent over up front. The ace leg-spinner is one of the most best bowlers in world cricket and if the first over is an indication, the Bangladesh batters are not willing to take any chances against him.