BAN vs AFG, Asia Cup 2023: All-round Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 89 runs to stay alive in continental event

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Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by a comprehensive 89-run margin to stay alive in the Asia Cup 2023. The side had lost their first match against Sri Lanka by five wickets and a defeat against Afghanistan would have seen them crash out of the continental showpiece event.

With a positive Net Run Rate of 0.373, Bangladesh are now placed second in the Group B table. Afghanistan would have to register a big win against Sri Lanka on Tuesday if they wish to qualify for the Super Fours.

Bangladesh were two down for 63 after opting to bat first when Mehidy Hasan Miraz (112), who was asked to open, and Najmul Hossain Shanto (104) forged a record 215-run partnership for the third wicket. Both the players brought up their respective second ODI fifties.

Miraz walked out retired hurt after cramping his left hand. Post his departure three Bangladesh batters - Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (25 off 15) and debutant Shamim Hossain (11 off 6) - got run out. However, captain Shakib Al Hasan kept the ante up and smashed unbeaten 32 off 18 to take his team to 334/5 at the end of 50 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Gulbadin Naib were the only two Afghanistan bowlers to take wickets.

In reply, Afghanistan lost their star opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (1) in the second over as Shoriful Islam trapped him in front of the stumps. However, two good partnerships involving Ibrahim Zadran kept Afghanistan in hunt of the mammoth run chase. Rahmat Shah (33) and Zadran partnered for 78 runs, while the third-wicket partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi accounted for 52 off 58.

Once Zadran departed for 74 off 74 in the 28th over, Najibullah Zadran (17 off 25) joined hands with Shahidi for the third consecutive fifty-plus partnership (62 off 52).

However, Najibullah's dismissal in the 37th over triggered a massive collapse. Shahidi (51 off 60) departed in the 38th over and Afghanistan soon got bundled out for 245 in 44.3 overs. Rashid Khan, who scored 24 off 15, was the last Afghanistan batter to depart.