Nasum Ahmed’s economical bowling spell led Bangladesh to an eight-run victory over Afghanistan on Tuesday, keeping their Asia Cup dreams alive.
Bangladesh set a target of 154-5 with opener Tanzid Hasan impressively scoring 52 off 31 balls in Abu Dhabi.
Nasum and fellow spinner Rishad Hossain each claimed two wickets, while pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman took 3-28, bowling out Afghanistan for 146.
Taskin Ahmed secured two wickets, ending the innings with the match’s final delivery.
Bangladesh finished Group B with two wins and one loss from three matches.
Their progression to the Super Four stage hinges on Thursday’s final group match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
If Sri Lanka wins, Bangladesh advances; an Afghan victory would favor Afghanistan, leaving Sri Lanka and Bangladesh dependent on net run-rate.
Left-arm spinner Nasum disrupted Afghanistan early, taking a wicket on the first ball, trapping Sediqullah Atal lbw, and then dismissing Ibrahim Zadran for five in the fifth over.
Nasum ended with figures of 2-11 from four overs.
Rishad removed Gulbadin Naib with a caught and bowled for 16, then dismissed the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 35, weakening Afghanistan’s chase.
Azmatullah Omarzai attempted a comeback with three sixes in his 30 off 16 balls but was dismissed by Taskin.
Skipper Rashid Khan made a last effort with a quick 20 but fell to Mustafizur, who was on a hat-trick, narrowly avoided by Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Earlier, Tanzid and Saif Hasan, who scored 30, put up an opening stand of 63, scoring 59 in the powerplay.
Rashid broke the partnership by bowling Saif in his first over, as Afghanistan’s spinners gained control.
Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad trapped captain Litton Das lbw for nine, further setting back Bangladesh.
Tanzid reached his fifty off 28 balls but fell to Noor in the subsequent over.
Towhid Hridoy added 26 off 20 balls, and though Bangladesh added just 67 runs in the last 10 overs, it was enough for victory.
