Afghanistan advanced to the Asia Cup Super Four stage with a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh on Tuesday, thanks in large part to Najibullah Zadran’s blistering batting performance that included six sixes. Najibullah (43 not out) and Ibrahim Zadran (42 not out) combined for an undefeated stand of 69 as Afghanistan defeated the UAE by nine runs in Sharjah in their 128-run chase. Afghanistan won after limiting Bangladesh batting first, to 127 runs after spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan each grabbed three wickets. To prepare for the T20 World Cup in October/November, Afghanistan, captained by Mohammad Nabi, won their second consecutive match to go to the semifinals. Afghanistan advances to the Super Fours of the Asia Cup is news of the day. Read out the complete details about Asia cup 2022 matches down below!
Asia Cup 2022 | Afghanistan advances to the Super FoursÂ
In 100th Twenty20 International, Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh had Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the opener for Afghanistan, stumped with a left-arm spinner. With runs scarce, Afghanistan appeared to be losing control of their chase when Mosaddek Hossain dismissed Hazratullah Zazai for 23. Nabi was dismissed in the 13th over, and the Bangladeshi crowd, which vastly outnumbered the Afghans, went wild. But Najibullah, batting from the left side, timed the chase to perfection. He completed his 17-ball blitz with a flurry of sixes and a single four.
With four fours in his 41-ball stay, the innings overshadowed Ibrahim’s knock. Earlier, Mujeeb took turns with left-arm fast Fazalhaq Farooqi with the new ball. And struck in each of his first three overs, including the crucial wicket of Shakib for 11.
After the powerplay ended, Rashid and Mujeeb worked together to dismiss wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim lbw for one. Afghanistan won their review after Mushfiqur was initially ruled not out after missing a stunning Rashid googly. In spite of the best efforts of Afif Hossain and Mahmudullah Riyad, Rashid struck again with a googly. This time trapping the left-handed Afif lbw for 12.
Mahmudullah’s innings was ended by Rashid’s second strike when, when batting on 25, he top-edged a drive to deep mid-wicket. Mosaddek Hossain then went on a late blitz, facing off against the bowlers and smashing four boundaries and a six for 48, but Afghanistan ended the innings by allowing only seven runs, one of which was a run out.
