Asia Cup Asia Cup 2023: Bangladesh etch landmarks against Afghanistan to keep hopes alive
In a must-win game for Bangladesh, the Tigers turned up with the bat and ball to register a comfortable 89-run win over Afghanistan in Lahore that sealed their place in the Super 4s stage.
The fate of Group B now rests on the result of the final game between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan to be played on 5 September, with Afghanistan requiring a commanding victory to progress.
Bangladesh posted a mammoth 334/5 on the back of centuries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto.
In reply, Afghanistan's chase never really took off with Shoriful Islam striking early to remove the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Ibrahim Zadran (75), Rahmat Shah (33) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (51) all made vital contributions but some tight bowling from Bangladesh meant the required run rate kept climbing.
Despite having seven wickets in hand with 15 overs to go, Afghanistan attempted to make an effort to chase the total down with the required run rate greater than 10.
The scoreboard pressure eventually resulted in wickets as Afghanistan succumbed to an 89-run defeat. The pacers made their mark for Bangladesh with Taskin Ahmed (4/44), Shoriful Islam (3/35) and Hasan Mahmud (1/61) picking eight wickets between them.
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