Bangladesh thrash Afghanistan by 89 runs

After starting the Asia Cup campaign with a defeat, Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in a must-win match in Lahore on Sunday, where a defeat will result in elimination from the competition for the second straight edition for the Tigers.

Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and opted to bat first. After the capitulation against the Sri Lankan bowlers in Pallekele, Bangladesh have made three changes, bringing in Shamim Hossain and Afif Hossain to reinforce the batting.

They have replaced last match's debutant Tanzid Hasan and Mahedi Hasan.

Pacer Hasan Mahmud also comes in to replace Mustafizur Rahman.

Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been promoted to the opening position and will start the proceedings for Bangladesh alongside Mohammad Naim.

Bangladesh made a positive start to the innings as 14 runs came off the first over.

Mohammad Naim hit two boundaries, the first one with a cut shot that pierced the gap and the second one coming from an outside edge that dropped short of the slips region and went between the 1st and 2nd slip fielder.

Bangladesh was also aided by a wide four from Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Bangladesh sent Miraz to open against Afghanistan mainly to thwart Afghanistan's off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Mujib came into the attack in the second over and Miraz did well in his first test, as he presented the dead bat thrice in the over, preserving his wicket.

Bangladesh got eight runs in the over thanks to a wide 4, taking the score to 22-0.

Naim hit two cracking boundaries through the off-side against Farooqi, reaching his best ODI score in the process.

After three overs, Bangladesh are at 30-0 with Naim batting on 20 off 15 balls, while Miraz is still to get off the mark.

Miraz got off the mark with a single against Mujeeb in the first boundaryless over of the innings so far.

The fourth over yielded three runs for Bangladesh, taking the score to 33-0.

This is the second time Miraz is opening in an ODI for Bangladesh. He earlier did it in 2018 alongside Litton Das in the Asia Cup final against India.

After leaking 22 runs in his first two overs, the pacer bounced back with a maiden against Miraz in the fifth over of the innings.

Afghanistan supporters had their hearts in their mouths for a minute or so. Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan had to receive some treatment after he hurt his leg after sliding in to collect the ball while fielding in the sixth over.

But thankfully for Afghanistan, Rashid was back on his feet in no time.

After six overs, Bangladesh are at 37-0.

Miraz joined the party in the seventh over, hitting Farooqi for two fours, one through the covers and the second through point.

Miraz moved onto 15 off 20 balls with the two fours as Bangladesh reached 47-0.

The experimental opening partnership of Naim and Miraz have come good as the duo has brought up 50 runs in the board in eight overs.

Naim is batting on 24 off 25 balls while Miraz is unbeaten on 16 off 23 balls with both batters looking set to score many more runs.

Bangladesh's picture perfect start got ruined in the very last ball of the powerplay, when Mujeeb Ur Rahman went past the edge of Naim's bat and struck the off-stump to give Afghanistan their first breakthrough of the match.

Naim departed for 28 off 32 balls, his personal best in ODIs. Bangladesh ended the first powerplay on 60-1, their best returns in the first 10 overs of an ODI against Afghanistan.

Towhid Hridoy gets promoted in the batting line up as he joins Miraz in the middle in place of Najmul Hossain Shanto.

The promotion in the batting line-up didn't work out for Towhid as he got out for a second-ball duck to pacer Gulbadeen Naib.

Towhid tried to drive an innocous looking ball from Gulbadin, but got a thick outside edge and Shahidi took a sharp diving catch to complete the dismissal.

Afghanistan strike in consecutive over after going wicketless for the first nine overs.

Shanto was Bangladesh's standout batter in the first match against Sri Lanka, where he made highest 89 runs.

Shanto is looking in good touch against Afghanistan as well, hitting Gulbadeen for back-to-back fours in the 13th over.

Shanto first played a lofted on-drive over mid-on's head for a four and then followed it up with a precise cover drive.

After 13 overs, Bangladesh are 77-2, Miraz is batting on 24, Shanto on 12.

Rashid Khan finally came into the attack in the 17th over and starts with a maiden.

Miraz played all six balls of the over and the makeshift opener couldn't figure out a way to get off strike against the crafty leg-spinner.

Bangladesh 88-2 after 17 overs.

Despite losing two wickets, Bangladesh have managed to reach the three-figure mark inside 20 overs, a stark improvement from their performance in the previous match against Sri Lanka.

Miraz and Shanto are batting on 30 and 32 as Bangladesh have reached 103-2 after 20 overs.

Afghan spin duo of Rashid and Mohammad Nabi are operating together, and have significantly reduced to rate of run scoring.

Miraz, the makeshift opener, is struggling to rotate the strike against them which is hurting the Tigers on a pitch which looks tailor made for batting.

After a few quiet overs, Miraz broke the shackles by charging down the ground to Nabi and hitting the off-spinner for a straight six in the first ball of the 22nd over.

Nabi did well to come back, conceding just three runs of the next five deliveries.

With the six, which is also the first of the match, and a couple of singles Miraz moves onto 42 off 59 balls. Shanto is batting on 33 off 39 balls.

Bangladesh are at 116-2.

Miraz took a single off Nabi in the first ball of the 24th over to complete his third half-century in ODIs.

Miraz has struck four boundaries and a six so far in his innings.

Six runs came off the 24th over as Bangladesh reached 129-2 with Miraz and Shanto batting on 53 and 35 respectively.

Miraz and Shanto hit one four each against pacer Karim Janat in the 27th over, which yielded 12 runs for the Tigers.

Miraz is looking well set at 63 while Shanto is eight runs away from a well deserved half-century.

After 27 overs, Bangladesh are at 147-2.

Shanto hobbled the last few paces to complete single off Janat in the 29th over and soon called for the physiotherapist, while clutching his thigh.

Batting under the Lahore heat for over an hour dehydrated the batter and he required some treatment from the physio.

But thankfully for Bangladesh, the batter was soon back on his feet, ready to resume his innings.

After 29 overs, Bangladesh are 155-2 after 29 overs.

Miraz and Shanto have brought up 100 runs for the third wicket stand off 117 deliveries as Bangladesh find themselves in a position of strength heading into the final 20 overs of the innings.

Bangladesh 163-2 after 30 overs, with Miraz and Shanto batting on 74 and 47 respectively. With skipper Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain still to come, Bangladesh should be eyeing to post a daunting total.

Shanto reached his half-century in style, with a six off Farooqi in the 31st over.

Farooqi bowled a short pitch delivery but Shanto was up to the task as the left-hander pulled the ball over the third-man fielder to reach his fifth half-century in ODIs.

After 31 overs, Bangladesh are 171-2.

Shanto hit his second six of the innings with another pull shot on top of a cracking boundary through extra cover as the 33rd over from Farooqi yielded 17 runs for the Tigers, their biggest over in the innings so far.

After 33 overs, Bangladesh are 194-2 with Miraz and Shanto batting on 80 and 68 runs respectively.

Miraz took a quick single off Mujeeb in the 35th over to complete 200 runs for Bangladesh.

Miraz and Shanto couldn't hit Mujeeb for a boundary in the over but ran well between the wickets to take six runs off it.

After 35 overs, Bangladesh are 202-2, with Miraz and Shanto on 82 and 74 respectively.

Miraz swept Mujeeb for his second six of the innings and with it entered the 'nervous 90s'.

But there is no nervousness in the way Miraz and Shanto have been batting so far as the duo has taken Bangladesh to 217-2 after 37 overs.

Shanto nearly threw away his wicket on 84. Shanto tried to hoick Gulbadin over the leg-side but was deceived by a slower delivery.

He mistimed the shot and the ball headed towards the long-on fielder. But thankfully for Shanto, the fielder couldn't get under the ball in time, and he survived.

After 39 overs, Bangladesh are at 228-2 with Miraz and Shanto on 96 and 86 respectively.

Afghanistan, clearly desperate to break the Shanto-Miraz stand, opted for a review against Shanto off Janat on an LBW shout which the on-field umpire had turned down.

The third umpire upheld the original decision on umpire's call as Bangladesh reached 231-2 at the end of 40 overs with Shanto on 87 and Miraz two runs away from his second ODI century.

Miraz miscued a pull shot and scrambled for a single off Gulbadin to complete his his second century in ODIs.

Miraz took 115 balls to reach the milestone and hit six fours and two sixes along the way.

Miraz will now try to cut loose, exemplified by the unorthodox slog he hit in the last ball of the 41st over, which went for a four.

With nine overs to go in the innings, Bangladesh are at 239-2, with Miraz on 104 and Shanto on 89.

Shanto hit Rashid for a couple of boundaries to end the 42nd over on 99.

Bangladesh are now on 251-2.

Miraz hit Mujeeb for an incredible six over extra-cover but had to leave the field immediately as he hurt his finger.

This injury ended an incredible innings in an unfortunate manner as Miraz finished on 112 off 119 balls.

Mushfiqur Rahim replaced him in the middle.

Shanto took a single off Mujeeb to complete his second hundred in ODIs.

Shanto took 101 balls to complete his century. He has so far hit nine fours and two sixes in his innings.

With Miraz off the field retired hurt, the onus falls on Shanto to take Bangladesh to a commanding total.

After 43 overs, Bangladesh are 263-2 with Shanto on 102 and Mushfiq on two.

Bangladesh got 11 runs off Rashid in the 44th over thanks to a six over long-off from the bat of Mushfiq.

With six overs to go, Bangladesh are at 273-2 with Shanto and Mushfiq on 104 and 11 respectively.

Shanto lost his wicket an unfortunate manner as the left-hander slipped in the pitch and got run out.

Shanto hit a reverse sweep but the ball didn't clear the 30-yard circle. Seeing that the ball has gone to the fielder, Shanto wanted to return to the crease but the batter slipped. The Afghan keeper took the bails off as Shanto was laying helplessly on the pitch.

Shanto departed after an excellent 104 off 105 balls.

Skipper Shakib replaced him in the middle.

With 30 balls to go, Bangladesh are at 282-3.

Nabi dropped a relatively easy catch of Mushfiq at long-off, giving Mushfiq a life on 20.

In the third ball of the 46th over from Rashid, Mushfiq tried to hoick the leg-spinner over long-off but mistimed his shot.

Nabi took a couple of paces to get underneath the ball but couldn't hold onto the ball.

With 24 balls to go, Bangladesh are 10 runs away from the 300-run mark.

Mushfiq hit a quickfire 25 off 15 balls but couldn't extend his innings, as he was run out in the non-striker's end after miscommunication with Shakib.

Shakib smashed a ball to mid-off fielder Shahidi. Shakib has initially called for the run but then sent back Mushfiq. But before Musgfiq could get back, Gulbadeen had collected the ball and dislodged the bails.

Shamim Hossain opened his account in ODI cricket with a 'no look' six off Gulbadeen over third man.

With the six, Bangladesh also crossed the 300-run mark.

Bangladesh ended the 47th over on 302-4, with Shakib and Shamim batting on eight and seven respectively.

Rashid Khan completed his 10-over quota without a wicket as Bangladesh took 65 runs off the leg-spinner.

In his last over, he was treated by a huge six from Shakib and conceded 10 runs.

With 12 balls to go, Bangladesh are at 312-4.

Shakib struck two crushing boundaries off Gulbadin to take 12 runs off the 49th over as Bangladesh reached 324-5 with six balls to go.

Shakib and Afif Hossain managed to take 10 runs off the final over as Bangladesh finished on 324-5, their highest ever total in Asia Cup.

Shakib's unbeaten came of 32 off 18 balls followed by the centuries from Miraz and Shanto powered Bangladesh to a commanding total after they had opted to bat first on a barren pitch in Lahore.

For the second time in his career, Miraz came out to open in an Asia Cup as a makeshift opener. In 2018, he had made 32 against India in the final. Today in Lahore, the right-hander outdid his previous score by a big margin, bringing up his second ODI ton.

Miraz finished on 112 off 119 balls, his highest score in ODIs. The all-rounder, however, could count himself a bit unlucky as he had to leave the field retired hurt owing to a finger injury.

Shanto missed out on a hundred against Sri Lanka in the previous match. But against Afghanistan, the left-hander didn't repeat that mistake and brought up his second century in ODIs.

Shanto's innings ended in an unfortunate run out. But before his dismissal, he made 104 runs off 105 balls, which included nine fours and a couple of sixes.

Unlike the first match, where the Bangladesh bowlers only had 164 runs to defend, this time the batters have left quite a few runs for the bowlers to defend.

However, just because Bangladesh have more runs in the bank, doesn't mean the bowlers will easily defend the total.

In the Bangladesh innings it was quite evident that the pitch had nothing to offer for the bowlers. Afghanistan's skilled spinners couldn't work their magic and even Rashid Khan, a bowler Bangladesh often struggles against, finished wicketless and conceded 6.5 runs per over.

Picking up early wickets will crucial for Bangladesh to put Afghanistan under pressure. If Bangladesh fails to make early inroads, Afghan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will make Bangladesh pay for it.

Taskin Ahmed took the new ball and started well, conceding just one run.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is off the mark with a single while Ibrahim Zadran is still on naught.

Bangladesh missed a chance to dismiss Gurbaz when they chose not to review a not out decision from the on-field umpire to an LBW appeal from Shoriful Islam.

But just two balls later, Shoriful again hit the opener on the pads and this time the umpire immediately gave it out.

Gurbaz reviewed the decision but the third umpire upheld the original decision on umpire's call.

Afghanistan lose Gurbaz for one are are 1-1 after 1.4 overs.

Zadran hit two boundaries through the off-side against Taskin in the third over.

Afghanistan got nine runs from the over and after three overs are at 10-1.

If Bangladesh can restrict Afghanistan on 279 or below, then they will secure automatic qualification to the Super 4 phase, no matter what happens in the remaining Group B match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

If not, Bangladesh will have to hope that Sri Lanka beats Afghanistan or Afghanistan win by a narrow margin against Lankans in their encounter.

But before all of that, the Tigers firstly need to defeat Afghanistan today.

Zadran and Rahmat are rebuilding the Afghanistan innings after early loss of Gurbaz and the duo has done well to ensure they lose no further wickets in the 1st powerplay and reach 37-1 after 10 overs.

Zadran is looking more comfortable, batting on 21 off 23 balls, while Rahmat is on 15 off 30 balls.

Bangladesh have already used four bowlers in the match but the pitch is offering nothing for them so far.

Shoriful Islam extracted some swing with the new ball but that has also withered away. Bangladesh's best hope seems to be continue bowling in a tight line and hoping that the Afghan batters succumb to the pressure of the score board and play false shots.

It took Afghanistan 13 overs to bring up 50 on the board.

Zadran hit another gorgeous boundary through the off-side and then took a single off Hasan Mahmud's last two balls in the over, to take the score to 50.

Zadran is batting on a run-a-ball 32 while Rahmat is on 17 off 39 balls.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz left the field while batting due to a finger injury. It's unclear whether the off-spinner can bowl in the match, which causes a huge headache for skipper Shakib Al Hasan.

Shakib has to use Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain to complete Miraz's quota of overs. So, the skipper handed the ball to Afif in the 15th over.

The off-spinner was hit for a four by Zadran in the first ball, but did well to concede just six off the over.

For Shakib, that's one over gone but nine to go.

After 15 overs, Afghanistan are at 67-1.

Miraz's finger injury had seemingly healed as the off-spinner joined attack in the 17th over, much to the relief of the Bangladesh camp.

Miraz starts well, conceding only three from his first over.

After 17 overs, Afghanistan are 76-1 with Zadran on 42 and Rahmat on 32.

Taskin broke the 78-run partnership between Zadran and Rahmat by removing the former on 33 to give Bangladesh a much needed breakthrough.

Rahmat tried to pull a back of a length delivery from Taskin but missed it completely. The ball kissed the top of off-stump and sent Rahmat back to the pavilion.

Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi now joins Zadran, who is batting on 43 off 43 balls. After 18 overs, Afghanistan are 79-2.

Ibrahim Zadran took a single off Miraz in the 21st over to reach his fourth ODI fifty.

He reached the milestone off 52 balls with the help of eight fours.

Afghanistan reached the 100-run mark in 23.3 overs, as the required rate continues to climb.

Zadran is scoring at a decent rate, batting on 57 off 62 balls, but skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is playing too many dot balls and is unbeaten on six off 18 balls.

Bangladesh bowlers are playing the patient game, trying to restrict run-scoring and waiting for the Afghan batters to make mistakes.

Afghanistan have reached 101.2 after 24 overs.

Shakib conceded 10 runs off the 25th over as Afghanistan reach 110-2 at the halfway point of their innings.

In the next 150 balls, Afghanistan needs to score 225 runs to win the match at a required rate of nine runs per over.

Zadran struck Miraz for a four and a six in the 27th over as he and Shahidi complete a 50-run partnership in 58 balls.

Miraz's over cost Bangladesh 14 runs, Zadran has moved on to 74 off 72 balls while Shahidi is batting in 16 off 26 balls.

Afghanistan are 129-2 after 27 overs.

The dangerous Ibrahim Zadran departs off Hasan Mahmud thanks to a stunning diving catch from Mushfiqur Rahim.

Zadran, who had raced to 75 off 74 balls, made a rare misstep in his innings, giving an edge to the keeper off Hasan.

Mushfiq, the oldest member of the Bangladesh squad, dived to his left to take the crucial catch, which reduced Afghanistan to 131-3 in 27.3 overs.

Hasan Mahmud leaked 11 runs in the 30th over as Afghanistan reached 151-3 with 20 overs to go in the match.

The Afghans need 184 runs in the last 120 deliveries with seven wickets in hand.

Afghan skipper Shahidi made up for his slow start and reached his half-century off 54 deliveries and is leading Afghanistan's chase.

Shahidi took a single off Shoriful to reach the milestone. Shahidi and Najibullah Zadran, who is batting on 17 off 24 balls, have made 62 runs off 51 balls for the fourth wicket.

Afghanistan are still a fair bit away from the target as they need 142 runs off 84 balls but they are still very much in the match.

Miraz went through the defenses of Najibullah to bring Bangladesh a timely breakthrough at the start of the 37th over.

Najibullah tried to sweep the off-spinner but missed the ball completely and it crashed into his stumps. Najibullah made 17 off 25 balls.

The experienced Mohammad Nabi joins Shahidi in the middle.

After 37 overs, Afghanistan are 196-4.

Shoriful dismissed the well set Shahidi for 51 off 60 balls.

Shahidi tried to slog Shoriful over long-on but got an outside edge, which flew to the third-man fielder Hasan and the pacer held onto the catch.

After a good phase, Afghanistan have lost wickets in consecutive overs. Bangladesh now look firm favourite to bring it home.

Afghanistan bring up 200 in 39 overs, meaning they need another 135 runs in 66 balls to win the match.

For Bangladesh, winning is not the only objective as the bigger the margin of victory will the better chances will they have of qualifying for the Super 4 even if Afghanistan defeats Sri Lanka in the remaining Group B match.

Gubadin Naib put Shoriful under pressure with a six and a four early on in the 40th over. But the left-arm pacer had the last laugh as he bowled Naib in the sixth delivery.

Naib departs for 15 off 13 balls.

Afghanistan need 123 of the last 10 overs with four wickets in hand.

Taskin Ahmed came into the attack in the 41st over and immediately got the big wicket of the experienced Mohammad Nabi.

Nabi tried to pull Taskin but top-edged the ball and Afif took the catch at the boundary.

Everything is going Bangladesh's way now.

Substitute fielder Anamul Haque got into the act by running out Karim Janat at the non-striker's end in the 42nd over.

Janat was rushing back to the crease after being sent back by Rashid, but Anamul caught him off guard with a direct hit.

Rashid hit a six and a four in the last two balls of the over from Hasan, still Afghanistan find themselves 104 runs away from the target with eight overs to go.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman hit a cracking six off Taskin but it was the Bangladesh fielders celebrating after the shot as the batter had mistakenly disturbed his wickets in the follow through of his shot.

Taskin Ahmed claimed his fourth and the final wicket of the match to bowl out Afghanistan for 245 in 44.3 overs complete a comprehensive 89-run victory over Afghanistan in the Asia Cup in Lahore.

Rashid tried to hoick Taskin for a six but top-edged the ball, which landed in the palms of Shakib.

After the five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka, this win has rejuvinated Bangladesh's chances of qualifying for the Super 4 of the competition.

Taskin Ahmed emerged as the most successful bowler in the Bangladesh camp, finishing with 4-44. But the other two pacers, Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud, who took three and one wicket respectively, were also impressive.

The Bangladesh pacers bowled their hearts out on a barren pitch in Lahore and took the team to a huge victory.

After scoring a career best 112 with the bat, Miraz bowled seven overs where he conceded 41 runs and took the wicket of Najibullah Zadran, which initiated a collapse that made sure Bangladesh win the match comprehensively.

Bangladesh still haven't officially qualified for the Super 4.

Right now, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are equal in the Group B points-table with two points each.

If Afghanistan defeat Sri Lanka on 5 September, they too will finish with two points. Then the fate of Group B will be decided using net run-rate.

However, as per the calculations of analysts at cricket website Espncricinfo, Bangladesh needed to restrict Afghanistan to 279 or less to ensure they can't be trumped in net run-rate even if Afghanistan win against Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh managed to bundle out 245. So, as per Espncricinfo, the Tigers have already made it to the Super 4.