Asia Cup: Afghanistan defeat Bangladesh, enter Super 4

ATLANTA (Pajhwok): A fine performance from the spinners and an impactful cameo from Najibullah Zadran helped Afghanistan record a seven wicket win over Bangladesh on Tuesday in Sharjah.

After registering second win in Asia Cup, Afghanistan became the first team to qualify for the Super Four stage .

Earlier today Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first, but Afghanistan start spinners Mujeeb and Rashid Khan took Three wickets each and restricted the Bangladesh team to 127 runs in 20 overs.

Afghanistan began slow but a stunning knock from Najibullah Zadran (43 not out in 17 balls) to gun down the total in just 18.3 overs and 7 wickets to spare.

On a slow and sluggish Sharjah pitch where no other batter hit more than one six, Najibullah Zadran hit as many as 6 sixes in a big-hitting masterclass. At the end of 16 overs, Afghanistan were just 85 for 3, having lost captain Mohammad Nabi for just 8.

However, young Ibrahim Zadran was holding fort, playing the anchor’s role ot perfection even as Bangladesh bowlers were keeping it tight.