Super 4 hopes on the line as Tigers face the Afghans

Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:26 AM

Super 4 hopes on the line as Tigers face the Afghans

Bangla Press Desk: Bangladesh will need to pull up their socks as they face Afghanistan in a do-or-die Asia Cup group match at the Abu Zayed Cricket Stadium today. The Litton Das-led side began their campaign brightly with a commanding win over Hong Kong, but their momentum came to a halt after a heavy defeat to Sri Lanka, leaving them third on the points table. A loss against Afghanistan would end the Tigers’ hopes of progressing beyond the group stage. Even a win will not guarantee a spot in the Super Four, as Bangladesh’s fate would then depend on Sri Lanka defeating Afghanistan in their final group match on 18 September. If all three teams finish with two wins each, Bangladesh will struggle to qualify due to their significantly lower net run rate. Afghanistan currently boast a healthy net run rate of 4.700, while Bangladesh’s slipped from 1.001 to -0.650 following their heavy defeat to Sri Lanka. The Lankans, who chased down Bangladesh with 32 balls to spare, now hold a net run rate of 2.595.

If Bangladesh manage to beat Afghanistan, they will still have to wait for the result of the final group-stage match. Should Sri Lanka lose to Afghanistan, net run rate will come into play, as all three teams would then finish with two wins each—assuming Sri Lanka beat Hong Kong as expected. On the other hand, if Sri Lanka defeat Afghanistan, both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will progress, leaving Afghanistan eliminated with just one win. Bangladesh can take inspiration from statistics as they have earned two wins from their last three meetings. Bangladesh’ spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed says that the team should not lose faith in their abilities “Yes, you have to believe. The coaches and the management are trying to tell them that belief is very important. We have to believe that we can qualify. It is difficult when you rely on ‘ifs and buts’, you have to concentrate on the next match and win that first. Then, when you are mentally strong and have belief, Inshallah, it can happen,” Mushtaq told the media in the pre-match press conference on Monday. Waiting for the Tigers now is Afghanistan’s potent spin attack, led by captain Rashid Khan, veteran Mohammad Nabi, left-arm prodigy Noor Ahmad, and the emerging AM Ghazanfar—a combination tailor-made for the conditions. Mushtaq acknowledged the threat and urged Litton Das and his men to remain cautious, especially during the middle overs when the game could slip away. “I think, the spin department. They are very good with the spin department in middle overs especially. If we can counter that middle overs well and put a decent score on the board, then I think we can challenge because our bowling unit is also very good. So, I am more concerned about the middle overs,” Mushtaq added.

Against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh’s top order collapsed miserably before Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain rescued the innings with an unbeaten 86-run stand for the sixth wicket. Once again, the spotlight will be on skipper Litton Das, who struck a half-century against Hong Kong, to provide stability at the top. The opening partnership remains a concern, having failed to register a fifty-run stand in their last 11 T20Is. The team management faces a tough call—whether to persist with the out-of-form Towhid Hridoy or hand a chance to Saif Hasan. The playing XI is also expected to see the return of Taskin Ahmed, who missed the Sri Lanka game as Shoriful Islam was preferred due to his past success against the Lankans. However, Afghanistan are not making the mistake of taking Bangladesh lightly. Head coach Jonathan Trott reminded everyone that the Tigers possess enough quality players to bounce back. “My sense is that Bangladesh have real match-winners. We will have to put up a good challenge and test tomorrow (today),” Trott said at the pre-match press conference on Monday. Afghanistan had a long break after their opening win against Hong Kong on 10 September. Trott said the break helped his players recharge both mentally and physically.

“I’m actually very happy about the break. We’ve been refreshed mentally and physically. It’s very hot here, so this was a good opportunity to recover. If we advance to the next stage, then it’s a big match against Bangladesh,” he said. “We’ve had many matches against them in the last few years, and they’ve always been competitive. I’m looking forward to another such contest, and hopefully we will be the winning side,” he concluded. This article was originally published on Daily Sun. [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.] BP/SP

[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]