Asia Cup 2023

‘What a story’- Twitter takes a collective cheer as Afghanistan become the first team to qualify for the Super 4 in Asia Cup after defeating Bangladesh

Afghanistan have become the first team to quality for Super Four in Asia Cup 2022.

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Having won their first match emphatically against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan played against Bangladesh in a bid to continue their great run in Asia Cup 2022. Bangladesh won the toss and contrary to the norm, elected to bat first. This, however, proved to be an incorrect decision as they could only put 127/7 on the board in 20 overs.

The openers, Mohammad Naim (6) and Anamul Haque (5) left the team in limbo with their sudden departure. Captain Shakib Al Hasan also failed to lead their team to a good score as he was bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman at just 11. It was the lower order batters, Mahmudullah (25) and Mosaddek Hasan (48*), who made important runs for their team and took Bangladesh to 127/7.

Rashid Khan was impressive with the ball as he took three important wickets in his four-over spell. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was equally valuable if not more as he took three wickets and gave away just 16 runs in four overs. Coming onto chase, what seemed like a small total for Afghanistan, they got off to a decent start with both openers Hazratullah Zazai (23) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (11) taking the team forward. However, Bangladesh came back into the game by taking crucial wickets in quick succession. At one stage, Afghanistan had lost 3 wickets for 62 runs.

It was, however, Ibrahim Zardan who anchored the chase with a 42 off 41 balls, took his team across the finish line and win the second game for Afghanistan. Captain Mohammad Nabi did not do much but Najibullah Zadran made sure that his team reached safely home with his impressive knock of unbeaten 43 off just 17 balls. He hit one four and a six to thwart the Bangladesh challenge in the end.

After smashing Sri Lanka in the first match, Afghanistan have now defeated another Asian team to book their place in the top-four. Bangladesh batters had a horrid time at the crease but their bowlers also did not convey any confidence as they were smashed all around by Afghanistan batters.

Let’s see how Twitter reacted to a minnow team in Afghanistan beating Bangladesh by a massive seven wickets:

 

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