Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 9th Match, Group B - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

That's all for game 9 of the Asia Cup. All eyes on Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka now for this group. See you tomorrow when the tournament continues, bye for now!

STATS:

Group B scenario
SL beat Afg, SL & Ban qualify
Afg beat SL, SL, Ban & Afg all tied on 4 points. Afg will qualify along with whoever finishes with a higher NRR among SL & Ban

For Sri Lanka's NRR to finish below Bangladesh, they have to lose by around 70 runs/50 balls to spare against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan have never successfully chased a 140+ target against a Full Member team bar Zimbabwe.

Litton Das: Winning the game was a relief, but we didn't bat very well in the last 4-5 overs. I felt there were enough runs but still we felt we were 15-20 runs short. The way Nasum and Rishad bowled was special, they really showed their skill. Today Tamim batted very well, the opening partnership was crucial. (On will he be supporting Sri Lanka now) I don't know, let's see.

Rashid Khan: We were in the game till the end but couldn't finish it off. 30 off 18 balls was very gettable. We haven't played the type of cricket we are famous for - attacking cricket. We let a lot of pressure build on ourselves. The way we came back with the ball to restrict them under 160 was special, but with the batting we played some irresponsible shots. In T20 sometimes the opposition take the game away in the first six overs, but then you have to come back. Lots of learning for us from this game. In the Asia Cup each game is important. We need to be well prepared for Sri Lanka, it will be a big challenge for us.

Nasum Ahmed | Player of the Match: I always fancy bowling with the new ball, that's what the captain has asked me to do. I love that challenge. There was a lot of sweat today so gripping the ball was a challenge but I enjoy these challenges.

22:29 Local Time, 18:29 GMT, 23:59 IST: Bangladesh with a close win. If they had lost tonight, they would have been out of the Super Four race. But the bowlers and fielders rallied around superbly to take their side home. Meanwhile live visuals show Rashid fuming at one of his players. Looks like it's Gurbaz who is having a chat with one of the umps. Rashid asks him to come with the rest of the team. Coming back to the chase - Nasum started off brilliantly with a first-ball wicket and then got Ibrahim LBW. He bowled outstandingly in the powerplay and Afghanistan were on the back foot. Just when a partnership was building, Bangladesh came back to take a wicket and that really didn't allow Afghanistan to get ahead. Omarzai was the dangerman and he looked to be in great nick too, but Taskin Ahmed got him and the wickets of Janat and Rashid sealed the deal almost for Bangladesh. Noor struck a couple of crucial sixes in the last over to help reduce the margin of defeat - also his blows will affect the NRR; which could still come into play. Finally a close game at this Asia Cup and a fine one at that. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff...

Taskin Ahmed to Noor Ahmad, out Caught by Nurul Hasan at long-off!! Bangladesh stay alive. Another slower-ball and it's full around off, Noor Ahmad gets forward and lofts, slices it and it's a simple catch to long-off. Nurul makes no mistake and Rashid closes his eyes in disappointment. Bangladesh win by 8 runs. Noor Ahmad c Nurul Hasan b Taskin Ahmed 14(9) [6s-2]

Taskin Ahmed to Noor Ahmad, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Taskin Ahmed to Noor Ahmad, SIX, Rishad tips it over at long-on. These are still crucial runs. Because NRR could still come into play. Rishad leaps but doesn't time it properly, just about gets his tall hands on the ball, can't prevent it from going over. Litton Das seems to say something. He doesn't look happy. A slower-ball and on a back of a length outside off, Noor Ahmad gets forward and flat-bats, just has enough

Taskin Ahmed to Noor Ahmad, no run, that's that. A slower-ball and it dips as a low full-toss, Noor Ahmad steps out and drives to long-off, Noor doesn't take the single

Taskin Ahmed to Noor Ahmad, SIX, Noor Ahmad with a six and mathematically his side are still in it. A half-volley on off, it's in the slot, Noor gets forward and lofts, just clears Rishad at long-on, game still on

Taskin Ahmed to Noor Ahmad, no run, slower-ball and following Noor Ahmad outside the leg-stump, Noor swings and misses, bounces through to Litton Das

Taskin Ahmed to Fazalhaq Farooqi, 1 run, that seam-up slower-ball which is held back, on a length on leg-stump, Fazalhaq Farooqi makes room to loft and the thick outside-edge flies past the dive of Litton Das to his right, but third man is very fine

Taskin Ahmed [3.0-0-21-1] is back into the attack

22 off the last over. Taskin to bowl it.

Mustafizur to Noor Ahmad, no run, short of length and at pace, on middle, Noor Ahmad pulls and misses, flies over the top-edge

Mustafizur to Fazalhaq Farooqi, 1 run, clear run-out chance and Mustafizur fluffs it. On a short of length on middle, Fazalhaq Farooqi mistimes the cut, rolls to backward point and Farooqi is slow, Rishad comes in and throws it on the bounce to Mustafizur who just had to collect and take the bails off, but he misses the ball and breaks the stumps with his hands