Bangladesh Holds its Nerve to Clinch Thriller, Keeping Asia Cup Hopes Alive
In the first true nail-biter of the 2025 Asia Cup, Bangladesh has kept its tournament hopes alive with a hard-fought, eight-run victory over a formidable Afghanistan side. The win was a masterclass in defending a seemingly below-par total, built on the back of two contrasting but equally dominant powerplay performances. A blistering half-century from opener Tanzid Hasan gave them a flying start, and a disciplined, suffocating display from their bowlers, led by the evergreen Mustafizur Rahman, ensured they held on in a tense finish in Abu Dhabi.
The Powerplay Decider
On a pitch that proved difficult for batting, the match was ultimately decided in the two powerplay periods, both of which were decisively won by Bangladesh. After being put in to bat, Bangladesh was launched into action by a spectacular display of intent from Tanzid Hasan. Riding his luck after an early dropped catch, the opener went on the offensive, smashing six boundaries in his first 12 deliveries. His explosive innings of 52 from just 31 balls powered Bangladesh to a commanding 59 runs in the first six overs, providing a critical buffer that would prove invaluable later in the innings.
In the second innings, it was the bowlers who seized control. The tone was set from the very first ball of the chase, when spinner Nasum Ahmed trapped Afghanistan's in-form opener, Sediqullah Atal, LBW. Nasum continued to bowl with exceptional control, conceding just seven runs and taking two wickets in his three-over powerplay spell, completely stifling the Afghan chase before it could even begin.
A Tale of Two Spin Attacks
While the powerplays were the difference-maker, the middle overs were a tense and gripping battle between two high-quality spin attacks. After Bangladesh's explosive start, Afghanistan's world-class wristspinners, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, put the brakes on the innings. The duo were almost impossible to get away, conceding just 49 runs and sharing four wickets between them in their combined eight overs. Their masterful spell of spin bowling was the primary reason Bangladesh was restricted to a total of 154, a score that felt at least 20 runs short of where they were headed.
Not to be outdone, Bangladesh's own spinners were equally effective. Led by Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain, they strangled the Afghan batters through the middle overs, drying up the boundaries and forcing the required run rate to climb steadily. This relentless pressure created a sense of desperation, leading to a series of mistakes that kept Bangladesh firmly in control of the contest.
Seamers Seal the Deal in a Tense Finish
Despite the brilliant work of the spinners, Afghanistan was still very much in the game heading into the final five overs. With 53 runs needed and the dangerous Azmatullah Omarzai at the crease, they would have been confident of pulling off the chase. However, it was here that Bangladesh's experienced seamers came to the fore, holding their nerve under immense pressure. The recalled Taskin Ahmed bowled with pace and precision, claiming the crucial wicket of Omarzai to tilt the match decisively in his team's favor. It was then left to the veteran Mustafizur Rahman to close out the game. Bowling his signature cutters and slower balls, he was impossible to get away, picking up three key wickets and ensuring there would be no last-gasp heroics, sealing a vital and hard-earned victory.
