Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 89 runs in their final Group B clash of Asia Cup 2023 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday (September 3). While the Bangla Tigers won the toss and elected to bat first, centuries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz (112) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (104) helped them reach a formidable 334/5 in their quota of 50 overs. In response, even though Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran (75) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (51) scored half-centuries, the team was eventually bowled out for 245.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowler as he returned with figures of 4 for 44. Shoriful Islam was also impressive, picking up 3 wickets for 36 runs. Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also picked up a wicket each. For Afghanistan, only two bowlers picked up a wicket each Mujeeb Ur Rahman who finished with 1 for 62 and Gulbadin Naib 1 for 58. The remaining three Bangladesh wickets were run outs in this fixture.
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That leaves only one match remaining in Group A and Group B. While India and Nepal will square off at the Pallekele Stadium in the final Group A match, Afghanistan will meet Sri Lanka in the last Group B game. So far, Pakistan are the only team to have secured a place for themselves in the Super Fours stage. While India need points on the board in the match against Nepal to be the second team from Group A to head to the next round, Nepal must win against India to forge ahead.
Meanwhile, if Sri Lanka wins over Afghanistan, they and Bangladesh will move to the Super Fours. On the other hand, in case Afghanistan win over Sri Lanka, the two teams with the higher net run rate will make it to the subsequent round of the continental tournament.