The riveting action in the Asia Cup 2022 continued on Tuesday as Afghanistan took on Bangladesh in the third match of the tournament on Tuesday. Bangladesh captain Shakib-al-Hasan won the toss and chose to bat first on a fresh pitch at Sharjah. Bangladesh opener Mohammad Naim and Anamul Haque walked out to give a fiery start to their team.
However, all their hopes were shattered as Afghanistan spinners came out all guns blazing against them. Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman wreaked havoc on Bangladesh batters as he removed the openers and captain Shakib Al Hasan in his first three overs, leaving them at 24/3. Rashid Khan continued the good work and picked up three more wickets, which left Bangladesh struggling at 89/6 after 15.4 overs.
A valiant knock by Mosaddek Hossain, who remained unbeaten on 48 off 31 balls, took the Bangladesh total to 127 in their allotted 20 overs. The Afghanistan openers, Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz came out with the intention of chasing down the total quickly much like their first match. But, they were up against some quality bowling of Shakib-al-Hasan, who didn’t let them get off to a flier. Shakib Al Hasan gave an early blow to Afghanistan as he removed Gurbaz on the score of 15.
After spending some time in the middle, Zazai tried to take on the attack but perished against Mosaddek Hossain. Afghanistan were reeling at 62/3 after 13 overs as they lost their captain Mohammad Nabi. They required another 66 runs from just seven overs. In walked Najibullah Zadran to join Ibrahim Zadran at the crease and both decided to score at a decent pace from there onwards.
Najibullah Zadran looked like he came well set from the pavilion as he turned on his beast mode quickly, He smashed Bangladesh bowlers all around the ground. Seeing his partner going berserk, Ibrahim got into the groove as well and began dealing in boundaries. Courtesy of their attacking partnership, Afghanistan reached home in just 18.3 overs.
Here's how Twitter reacted to Afghanistan’s dominating win:
Najibullah Zadran is played the role of Hardik Pandya here - Such a game changing Innings from him, he is Unstoppable and scored 43(17)*.#AFGvsBAN #BANvAFG #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/mYDEvj51Rm
— Resanth. (@Cric_Resanth) August 30, 2022
Afghanistan 💛👏
— Lalit Bhandari (@lalitbhandarii) August 30, 2022
Love From India🇮🇳#AFGvsBAN #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/z4PkUR4Kid
@mushfiqur15 this is happiness 🤣#AFGvsBAN #AFGvBAN #Afganistan #BANvAFG #BANvsAFG pic.twitter.com/VA2cjMMKr1
— India 176-0 (100% fb) (@realindian7865) August 30, 2022
Most of the Indian fans was supporting afganistan just because of Bangladesh attitude!
— shibin (@shibi_meppayour) August 30, 2022
Am I right ?#AFGvsBAN #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/HbNRk11sEh
Team AFG lookin real strong, tricky run chase but solid knock by Ibrahim and some brutal hittin by Najibullah 👏#AFGvsBAN #Asiacup2022 pic.twitter.com/gmg3ZU8AyJ
— Umesh68 (@Umesh68ro) August 30, 2022
#Afghanistan Beat #Bangladesh by 7 Wickets and secured it's second win in #AsiaCup2022. Afghanistan becomes 1st Team to Qualify for Super 4's Next Stage of Asia Cup 2022.#AFGvsBAN pic.twitter.com/vXpkwMRPlt
— Wali Khan (@WaliKhan_TK) August 30, 2022
From 🇮🇳 india with love .
— Saurav Rana (@SauravRana_) August 30, 2022
Enjoy the party .#BANvsAFG#AFGvsBAN #RashidKhan #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/1nPy4260Et
#AFGvsBAN #AsiaCup2022 #nagindance
— Viratian (@Viratia48364365) August 30, 2022
afghanishtan team right now :#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/uWgZXwi4Nf
What a match what a performance by zadran #AFGvsBAN pic.twitter.com/1wb6849pro
— ᖇᗩᕲᕼᘿ ᗷᕼᗩᒪᒪᗩ🇮🇳 (@RadheBhalla) August 30, 2022
A good win for Afghanistan..🙂
— Shêîkh 💫✨ (@SakhawatAlamSh2) August 30, 2022
Well-done zadran what a good hitting 👍#AsiaCup2022 #AFGvsBAN pic.twitter.com/AoukQpYQWW
Destroyed#AFGvsBAN#AfghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/MGWGMr4hAf
— SAAD (@Fallen_x_King) August 30, 2022