Bangladesh in need of a handout against buoyant Afghanistan
Afghanistan were all systems go in their opener against Hong Kong, and could go clear at the top with another win on Tuesday
Mohammad Isam
15-Sep-2025 • 2 hrs ago
Big picture: Afghanistan's chance to make it two in two
After the net run-rate-boosting win over Hong Kong on the first day of the Asia Cup, Afghanistan have the chance to go clear at the top of Group B on Tuesday. Bangladesh are up next, fresh from the hiding at the hands of Sri Lanka. Afghanistan are the more confident of the two sides, which gives them the advantage before the start of the game.
Azmatullah Omarzai's record-breaking half-century from No. 6 led them in their 94-run win against Hong Kong. He added 82 runs for the fifth wicket with Sediqullah Atal, who ended unbeaten on 73. Afghanistan's bowling was true to their reputation, hardly allowing the hapless Hong Kong batters a whiff.
Rashid Khan must have also been pleased with AM Ghazanfar and Noor Ahmad now taking more responsibility. Mohammad Nabi didn't bowl against Hong Kong, but is likely to be back in the attack against Bangladesh, who have to take on an irrepressible spin attack, a particularly hard task given their own frailties and the conditions in the Emirates.
Their batting was under pressure against Sri Lanka right from the start as they played out two wicket-maidens to begin with. Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy couldn't revive the innings, leaving the job to Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain. They have often done this well in the past, but couldn't on the day.
Bangladesh's catching was below par. The bowlers also collapsed in the face of sensible and aggressive batting. Dropping Taskin Ahmed in favour of Shoriful Islam might have destabilised a side that looks up to Taskin for inspiration.
They have to get their act together against Afghanistan, a side headed in the direction opposite to where Bangladesh are going. Bangladesh must lift themselves, otherwise their Asia Cup campaign could well be over before even taking off.
Form guide
Afghanistan WLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh LWWLW
Bangladesh LWWLW
In the spotlight: Azmatullah Omarzai and Shamim Hossain
Azmatullah Omarzai is emerging as Afghanistan's top pace-bowling-allrounder, who can bowl in pressure situations and bat effectively in the top six. His half-century against Hong Kong was Afghanistan's fastest in the format. Omarzai struck five sixes and two fours in his 21-ball 53. He is more than useful with the ball too, often helping Afghanistan break partnerships. He would, however, like to improve his T20I batting record against Bangladesh, having scored just 88 runs in six outings so far.
Shamim Hossain dug Bangladesh out of a hole against Sri Lanka, but his unbeaten 42 - and Jaker Ali's unbeaten 41 - couldn't quite get them to a winning position. Shamim and Jaker added 86 for the sixth wicket, both doing the sort of fire-fighting job they are asked to do often. The good part about Shamim's innings was that he took the attack to the Sri Lanka bowlers at the end of the innings, something that should give him confidence against Afghanistan.
Team news
Afghanistan are likely to stick to the same XI that played against Hong Kong in the tournament opener.
Afghanistan (probable): 1 Sediqullah Atal, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Mohammad Nabi, 5 Gulbadin Naib, 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Karim Janat, 8 Rashid Khan (capt), 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 AM Ghazanfar, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi
Saif Hassan and Nurul Hasan are top-order batting options Bangladesh could look at, while Taskin is likely to return into the playing XI.
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Tanzim Hasan, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
Pitch and conditions
Abu Dhabi has rewarded batters with intent in the Asia Cup so far, but the bowlers too have found help from the pitches. The forecast is for high temperatures.
Stats and trivia
- The two maiden overs Bangladesh played out at the start of their innings against Sri Lanka was only the second such instance in a men's T20I match between two Full-Member teams. Zimbabwe did it against West Indies in 2010.
- Omarzai struck the fastest T20I fifty for Afghanistan in their Asia Cup opener against Hong Kong. His 20-ball half-century beat Nabi's 21-ball effort against Ireland in 2017.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84