Afghanistan beats Bangladesh by 136 runs

Rashid Khan starred with both bat and ball on his birthday leading Afghanistan to a 136-run win over Bangladesh on Thursday in the Asia Cup. Chasing 256, Bangladesh never got the momentum going as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Openers Liton Das (6) and Nazmul Hossain Shanto (7) were sent back early to the pavilion by the Afghan bowlers. Shakib Al Hasan (32) gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope but not too evaporated in the 24th over when the batsman was dismissed LBW by Rashid Khan.

On the back of their late batting pyrotechnics, Afghanistan scored 97 runs from the final 10 overs and that made the difference in the fate of the match which, however, was rendered inconsequential as both sides have already made it to the Super Four stage from Group B. Later, Rashid showed why he is considered a premier leg spinner in the world by taking two crucial wickets, that of Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah, the two most experienced players in the Bangladesh side in the absence of the likes of previous match centurion Mushfiqur Rahim.

Shakib Al Hasan (32) and Mahmudullah (27) were the top-scorers for Bangladesh and Rashid claimed their wickets with two gems of deliveries to break the backbone of their run chase. Bangladesh eventually were all out for just 119 in 42.1 overs. Afghanistan will enter the Super Four stage with confidence after having won both their group matches. They play Pakistan in the same venue on Friday.