Nasum came, saw, and delivered victory

Chasing Bangladesh’s target of 155, Afghanistan were restricted to 146 runs. The Tigers’ bowlers kept the innings under control throughout, led by left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed. Striking with the very first ball of the innings, he turned the match in Bangladesh’s favor before partnering with Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman to set up a dominant bowling performance. Their combined efforts secured an 8-run win in the do-or-die clash, keeping Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the Asia Cup Super Four alive.

To defend a modest total of 154, early pressure was essential. Captain Litton Das handed the ball to Nasum in the opening over, and the spinner wasted no time repaying that trust. With the very first delivery, he trapped Afghan opener Sediqullah Atal leg-before. The ball drifted in from outside off, sneaking between bat and pad to crash into the back leg. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger.

That early breakthrough rattled Afghanistan. Nasum struck again in his third over, this time dismissing their key batter Ibrahim Zadran—once again via LBW. Even a review couldn’t save him, with ball-tracking confirming it would hit the stumps.

Nasum finished his four-over spell conceding just 11 runs while picking up 2 wickets, including a maiden over. His economy rate of 2.75 set a new record for the lowest economy by a Bangladeshi bowler in Asia Cup T20 history, surpassing Mustafizur Rahman’s previous best of 3.25. Shakib Al Hasan had also bowled with that same economy in the tournament.

After Nasum’s fiery start, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain dismantled Afghanistan’s middle order with his leg-breaks and googlies, removing Gulbadin Naib among others for 2 wickets. Mustafizur Rahman added to the collapse with his variations, taking 3 wickets. Afghan batters looked visibly unsettled against Bangladesh’s attack.

At the post-match press conference, opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim praised the bowlers as “world-class” while singling out Nasum for special mention. “Nasum bhai also won Player of the Match straightaway in the Netherlands series. It’s incredible how he always tries to give his best whenever he’s in the XI,” Tamim said.

He also expressed slight regret about the margin of victory, pointing to an expensive over at the death. “The way Nasum bhai bowled the first over, the match came under our control. We could have won by a bigger margin if not for a few boundaries in Taskin’s over—that would’ve been even better for us.”

With this win, Bangladesh remain alive in the battle for a Super Four spot.