T20 Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan

The Great Escape: How Bangladesh Held On for an Epic Win

You couldn't write a better script. This wasn't just a game of cricket; it was a heart-stopping, nerve-wracking showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball. On September 16th, in a must-win match for both teams, Bangladesh and Afghanistan delivered the kind of T20 thriller that makes you fall in love with the game all over again.

And in the end, it was Bangladesh who held their nerve, clinging to an 8-run victory that kept their Asia Cup dreams alive and broke the hearts of a fighting Afghanistan team.

Relive the nail-biting Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan T20 Asia Cup 2025 match. Our report includes the final score, top player stats, and all the drama from the last-over thriller.

The Early Charge: Bangladesh's Batting Powerplay

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bangladesh came out of the blocks like a team with a clear mission. The opening partnership between Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan was a masterclass in aggressive, fearless T20 batting. They didn't just play safe; they took the attack to the Afghanistan bowlers, who are known for their quality.

Tanzid Hasan, in particular, was in a different league. He was fearless from the start, taking on the Afghan pacers and spinners with equal aggression. His blistering 52 runs from just 31 balls, which included four fours and three sixes, set the perfect foundation. Saif Hassan played a crucial supporting role, scoring a steady 30 from 28 balls. The duo put on a brilliant 63-run partnership that completely negated the Afghan bowling threat in the Powerplay.

Just when it looked like Bangladesh would cruise to a massive total, Afghanistan's spinners, led by the wily Rashid Khan and the young Noor Ahmad, mounted a stunning comeback. They took crucial wickets in the middle overs and slowed down the run rate, restricting Bangladesh to what felt like a slightly below-par total of 154 for 5.

The Afghan Chase: A Slow Start and a Late Surge

Chasing 155 to win, Afghanistan's batting innings began in a similar fashion to Bangladesh's—but in reverse. Their start was a nightmare. The star of the day, with both the ball and the award, was Bangladesh's spinner, Nasum Ahmed, who delivered a breathtaking spell right out of the gate. He took a wicket on his very first delivery, and then another one in his second over, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 18 for 2. His final figures of 2 wickets for just 11 runs in his four overs were an absolute game-changer.

Despite the early pressure, Afghanistan's middle order fought back with a series of crucial cameos. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, as always, was a threat, smashing 35 from 31 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai provided the much-needed firepower with a quickfire 30 from just 16 balls. He hit three sixes that briefly gave Afghanistan a real shot at winning. Even the captain, Rashid Khan, chipped in with a vital 20 from just 11 balls.

But the real drama unfolded in the final over. With Afghanistan needing 21 runs to win, and the last wicket pair at the crease, Taskin Ahmed was given the ball. The pressure was immense, and the crowd was on its feet. The first two balls went for just one run, but then Noor Ahmad smashed back-to-back sixes that made the impossible seem possible. Just 15 runs were needed from the last three balls. But Taskin held his nerve, delivering a perfect slower ball that found the edge and was caught at long-off. The Afghan hopes were crushed, and Bangladesh erupted in celebration.

This was a game defined by small margins, from Afghanistan's middle-overs collapse to Bangladesh's outstanding death bowling. It showed that in T20 cricket, no lead is truly safe, and a single moment of brilliance can change the entire outcome.

Final Scorecard & Key Stats

• Toss: Bangladesh won and chose to bat.

• Result: Bangladesh won by 8 runs.

• Man of the Match: Nasum Ahmed (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh Innings: 154/5 (20 Overs)

• Top Batsman: Tanzid Hasan (52 off 31), Saif Hassan (30 off 28)

• Top Bowlers (AFG): Noor Ahmad (2-23), Rashid Khan (2-26)

Afghanistan Innings: 146/10 (20 Overs)

• Top Batsman: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35 off 31), Azmatullah Omarzai (30 off 16)

• Top Bowlers (BAN): Mustafizur Rahman (3-28), Nasum Ahmed (2-11), Taskin Ahmed (2-34)