Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Match 9 – Who Said What?

Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Match 9. (Photo Source: ACC)

Bangladesh kept their Asia Cup 2025 campaign alive with a narrow eight-run win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh got off to a flying start thanks to Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan. The pair added 63 in the power play. Tanzid reached his fifty off just 28 balls, lacing his innings with seven boundaries in his 31-ball 52.

However, Afghanistan’s spinners bounced back brilliantly. Noor Ahmad (2/23) and Rashid Khan (2/26) stopped the flow of runs in the middle overs, dismissing Litton Das, Saif Hassan, and Shamim Hossain with Bangladesh managing only 154/5 in their 20 overs.

Afghanistan’s reply saw Nasum Ahmed struck with the very first ball, trapping Sediqullah Atal LBW. He then removed Ibrahim Zadran in the power play. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib tried to steady the innings, but Rishad Hossain’s twin strikes further put them on the back foot.

Azmatullah Omarzai brought the chase alive with a series of sixes. His 30 off 16 balls swung the momentum back, but Taskin Ahmed dismissed him just when he looked to take the game away. Skipper Rashid Khan smashed 20 off 11 balls. But Mustafizur Rahman, bowling the all-important 19th over, delivered once again at the death as he conceded only five runs and removed Rashid, virtually sealing the match.

Needing 22 from the last over, Afghanistan saw Noor Ahmad smashing a couple of sixes to reduce the margin of defeat. But with his dismissal on the final ball, Afghanistan were bowled out for 146.

Who Said What?

Nasum Ahmed, Player of the Match

I always fancy bowling with the new ball, that’s what the captain has asked me to do. I love that challenge. There was a lot of sweat today so gripping the ball was a challenge but I enjoy these challenges.

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan (Losing Captain)

We were in the game till the end but couldn’t finish it off. 30 off 18 balls was very gettable. We have’t played the type of cricket we are famous for – attacking cricket. We let a lot of pressure build on ourselves. The way we came back with the ball to restrict them under 160 was special, but with the batting we played some irresponsible shots. In T20 sometimes the opposition take the game away in the first six overs, but then you have to come back. Lots of learning for us from this game. In the Asia Cup each game is important. We need to be well prepared for Sri Lanka, it will be a big challenge for us.

Litton Das, Bangladesh (Winning Captain)