Experience all of the highlights and ball-by-ball commentary of Afghanistan-Bangladesh’s second One-Day International.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai share an influential 145-run partnership to put Afghanistan in an advantageous position during their chase for victory.
Jaker Ali bowled Gulbadin Naib on his debut in one-day international cricket as Bangladesh slumped to 244 and now require 41 runs from five overs to qualify for semi-final qualification.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan have made history by reaching the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 tournament for the first time ever from a Muslim-majority country, beating full member Zimbabwe along the way and finishing third in both pools. Their win was an enormous confidence boost for Afghan cricket team supporters and Lalchand Rajput who took over coaching duties from Inzamam ul-Haq in January.
This was one of the greatest World Cup encounters ever witnessed, featuring three rain stoppages and DLS calculation, but Afghanistan eventually triumphed to reach the semifinals against South Africa. The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Bangladesh national cricket team standings became a significant talking point as fans celebrated Afghanistan’s incredible achievement.
Bangladesh were in danger of missing their semi-final chances after being reduced to 105-6 in 19 overs, but stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahmudullah helped them recover by forging an important 145-run partnership – eventually reaching 244 in Sharjah with Azmatullah Omarzai taking four wickets with the ball for Afghanistan.
Rashid Khan made an impressive showing for Afghanistan by keeping his nerves under control to hit some crucial sixes; unfortunately in the final over he flinched and did not complete his goal, and was taken off after failing to finish off Bangladeshi bowlers – only later did they shake hands afterwards.
Afghanistan are in with a good shot at reaching the semifinals and are making every effort to advance. Their last match against Bangladesh could give them a great advantage of progressing further. Bangladesh have an important game against India that must go their way; should they lose that, their chances will diminish significantly; however, the weather should help their cause and they should complete it successfully.
Bangladesh
Afghanistan’s cricket team stands as an embodiment of hope in an economy rebuilding after decades of war. While their accomplishments do not compare with the more developed Asian nations, Afghanistan still shows remarkable achievements considering its unstable environment. Afghans take immense pride in watching their cricketers on international stages – it unifies and unites people like few other events can.
Current rankings place them ninth worldwide and fifth in Asia. While their team has the potential for further advancement, significant strides must be made in their batting and bowling departments as well as improving fielding techniques to remain competitive.
Bangladesh cricket has experienced remarkable growth since their debut at the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 1998. This tournament helped establish first-class competition within Bangladesh, and they won their inaugural Test match against Pakistan the following year. Over time under different coaches such as Jamie Siddons, Shane Jurgensen, Chandika Hathurusinghe; players such as Mashrafe, Shakib and Tamim have become top all-rounders resulting in improved performances both domestically and abroad in ODI matches.
Bangladesh will play host to four Twenty20 internationals (T20Is) and one Four-Day International (ODI), beginning with Dhaka hosting its inaugural T20I on 13 September, followed by matches in Sylhet (15 September) and Chittagong on 23 September for an impressive three-match T20I schedule.
Bangladesh have had mixed results against Afghanistan in T20Is; however, they have fared more poorly in ODIs. Although they have lost several matches against them, Bangladesh have managed to come away victorious in some matches; most recently they beat them by eight runs at St Vincent.
Though Bangladesh have struggled in ODIs, their T20I team remains formidable with three out of the top five wicket-takers for this tournament and an esteemed coach like Salahuddin Yousuf who has an established track record of developing players and teams.
Asia
Afghan cricket has been one of the great sporting success stories of this century, rising from Division 5 with Vanuatu and Mozambique to compete against Australia in a semi-final is truly remarkable, given that Afghanistan lacks deep cultural roots or sophisticated domestic structures.
Afghanistan has gained global attention through their cricket success and tourism has increased significantly due to this. Yet they face many challenges as they try to transition their youth cricket talent into adult formats more competitive than before. Aminul Islam Bulbul, director of Bangladesh cricket board stated in an interview with Business Standard that advanced and developing nations were closing their gap; to close it further would require a structured high performance process with adequate investments made in coaching and training programs.
Afghanistan currently comprises five regions: Amo in the north (centred on Balkh), Spin Ghar in the east (near Nangarhar), Band-e-Amir in the center (Kabul), Mis Ainak in the south and southwest (Khost), Mis Ainak in the west and northwest (Kandahar) and Boost in the southwest. Each region features provincial teams which compete across three formats of cricket as well as an under-19 team. Furthermore, both men’s and women’s national teams compete.
The women’s team may not be as successful, but its existence is an encouraging sign for Afghanistan. Their success stands in stark contrast with the fate of men’s national teams since Taliban took power in 2021; due to their regressive and anti-women policies, life for Afghan women and girls has become exceedingly challenging.
Afghanistan wears white kits during Test matches and limited-overs cricket matches; for limited overs matches they use blue outfits with splashes of green, red, and black colors; they wear baggy red caps or sun hats with the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s logo emblazoned on them for limited-overs cricket matches. Based in Kabul and headed by Nazmul Hasan as chairman and four other members who all possess political connections (Nazmul Hasan became an Awami League MP during 2024 elections while Shafiul Alam Chowdhury as director is related to Sheikh Hasina).
World
Afghanistan’s national cricket team made headlines throughout this World Cup by producing perhaps its biggest shock: beating reigning ODI champion Australia to reach their first-ever semi-final. Players, coaching staff and fans celebrated wildly by storming the pitch in celebration.
Bangladesh decided to bat first on the same pitch they used against Australia and Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran made an excellent start before rain interrupted play for some overs. Their Bangladeshi bowlers worked tirelessly to reduce runs as much as possible – leg spinner Rishad Hossain particularly excelled, taking three wickets.
Bangladesh were on course to reach the semi-finals before rain intervened and play had to be abandoned. Covers were put over their nets as Bangladesh attempts to reach their target of 114 runs in 19 overs with only one wicket remaining.
But the rain hasn’t put an end to play entirely and is beginning to lighten again. Bangladesh opener Litton Das hit a six off of the third ball of this over, though they must do much better if they hope to advance further than this and reach the last four.
On Tuesday, thousands of Afghans took to the streets in celebration of their national cricket team’s historic win against Bangladesh in a rain-affected match played in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The victory triggered wild celebrations across many cities bordering Pakistan and is expected to boost both their economy and living standards for their people, according to officials. President Hamid Karzai made contact with them via telephone to extend congratulations for their success, broadcast across Afghanistan nationwide as a news item.
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