Despite Litton Das’ undefeated half-century, Afghanistan bundled Bangladesh for 105 in 17.5 overs while defending a modest 115-run total in a match halted by rain.
In order to guarantee their place in the semi-finals, Bangladesh had to chase the score in 12.1 overs. Otherwise, had Bangladesh failed to chase within the allotted overs, Australia would have qualified.
Das got Bangladesh off to a strong start in the opening over, hitting 13 runs off of Naveen-ul-Haq. But, the bowler bounced back spectacularly, taking two wickets in as many balls in the next over.
After Naveen-ul-Haq removed Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (5) and Shakib Al Hasan on consecutive deliveries, Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Tanzid Hasan (0) in the second over.
Rain stopped play for twenty minutes with Bangladesh behind 31-3 in 3.2 overs.
Following the rain break, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan put a stop to Bangladesh’s hopes of a comeback with a 25-run partnership between Das and Soumya Sarkar (10), however Sarkar was dismissed.
Towhid Hridoy scored two boundaries and 14 off 9 against Mohammad Nabi prior to being defeated by Rashid Khan.
Since no batter from Bangladesh could seriously threaten Afghanistan, Das fought alone.
Before a brief rain delay, Rashid Khan removed Mahmdullah (6) and Rishad Hossain (0), bringing the target down to 114 in 19 overs using the Duckworth Lewis Stern method (DLS).
With a four off Noor Ahmed, Das reached his half-century in forty-one balls. But, wickets kept falling at the other end, and Bangladesh eventually collapsed for 105, with Naveen-ul-Haq taking the final two wickets on consecutive deliveries.
Returning with bowling statistics of 4-26 and 4-23, respectively, were Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan. Naib and Farooqi both took one wicket during this time.
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Afghanistan chose to bat first, but Bangladesh’s economical bowling prevented them from getting off to the ideal start.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, the opening duo, did not score a run in the first ten overs despite making 58 runs off of just two fours and one six.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib, however, caught Zadran when he attempted a powerful shot against Rishad Hossain due to the mounting pressure.
With one boundary and a scratchy 18 off 29, the right-handed hitter scored.
Gurbaz was bowled out by the same bowler on the opening delivery of his next over, after having struck two fours against Hossain in the 14th over to break the run of no boundaries after the 7th over.
With a conservative 43 runs from 55 balls, three boundaries, and one six, Gurbaz top-scored. In that same over, Gulbadin Naib was also dismissed thanks to an outstanding catch made by Soumya Sarkar.
After that, Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan had a 10-ball cameo, hitting three sixes in the final over to help his side reach 115-5 in 20 overs.
Upon his return, Hossain finished with bowling stats of 3-26, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman each took one wicket.