Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 4th Match, Group B at Lahore, Asia Cup, Sep 03 2023 - Match Result

10.40pm And that is that from us. We have Nepal taking on India tomorrow in Pallekele, be sure to join us for that. But until then on behalf of Abhimanyu, this Madushka signing out!

Shakib Al Hasan: We played very well all-round. It wasn't easy for the fielders to play 50 overs and come and bat, so we were really lucky to win the toss. [Mehidy promotion] He got his chance up the order and proved himself, we always knew he had the ability. We executed our plans really well, the fast bowlers especially bowled their heart out. This wasn't an easy wicket to bowl on."

Mehidy Hasan Miraz gets an award for the most sixes. He is also named Player of the Match: "I'm really happy. I think the team management believe in me. It was an excellent wicket, the ball was coming on easy so I just tried to strike through the line. It was an excellent partnership with Shanto."

Catch of the Match goes to Mushfiqur Rahim

Alright then, time now for the post-match presentation.

Getting a few questions regarding the qualification criteria, let me try and explain it as best as I can. Essentially, if SL lose tomorrow by a small margin they may remain above Bangladesh but Afghanistan can't go above Bangladesh. If Afghanistan win heavy to qualify, they may end up going above Bangladesh's NRR but they will impact SL's NRR so heavily that it will go below Bangladesh's. Basically, there is no scenario where BOTH Afghanistan and SL can end on a high NRR than Bangladesh.

What this means for Afghanistan is that they will require a big win against Sri Lanka in Lahore on Tuesday if they're to qualify to the next round.

This was a win built on the shoulders of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whose centuries laid the platform for their massive total. Then with the ball, the bowlers kept things tight, especially the spinners through the middle overs, before a flurry of wickets at the death owing to scoreboard pressure sealed Afghanistan's fate.

10.14pm So Bangladesh have done what they set out to do, they've beaten Afghanistan by such a margin that their NRR is strong enough that they won't end in last position regardless of the outcome of the SL-Afghan game, and thus have qualified for the Super 4s!

Isaac Marshall: "Also they would still have to win against Sri Lanka, not exactly safe!"

Zeeshan Anjum: "I think Afghanistan clearly looking off that NRR and someone has conveyed them the message regarding 270 runs to be safe even after loosing this one." 279, but yes.

SamC: "Those 3 hits from Rashid has got the required rate under 6....if you know what I mean!"

Ahid: "The way Rashid is batting and Mujeeb batted against Pakistan (in SL), this a Afghanistan's match to lose " --- I think you might have missed the bit where the requirement is 95 runs with 2 wickets and 42 balls remaining.

Jobayed Ome: "Brilliant captaincy from Shakib. Using the pressure of RRR, He is using the fast bowlers to tempt the Afghan "