Afghanistan VS Bangladesh Match ball by ball Commentary

Finale confirmed - Afghanistan already had one foot in the final, but with an under-par target of 161, they will back themselves to get the job done without any hiccups. Their batting unit, unlike Bangladesh's, has been in some fine form of late. For Bangladesh, though, it is an uphill task. To keep their final hopes alive, they must win by at least 41 runs, which, in all honesty, looks like a tall order. But they will surely not go down without a fight. Back in a bit with the run chase.

Rashid, the tormenter - However, just when Bangladesh looked to be finding their feet again, Saif Hassan pressed the self-destruct button against Nabi, throwing caution to the wind in search of a big hit and gifting his wicket away. One mistake soon became two, as Miraz departed cheaply, and in the space of a few deliveries, Bangladesh went from 121/4 to 124/6. Rashid was brought back for another spell, and he just kept twisting the knife with his guile. And eventually, Emon, who was fighting all alone in the middle, too, got consumed by his brilliance. From there, it was only a matter of time before Bangladesh were skittled for 160.

A gut-punch, then a fightback - A Powerplay score of 38/4 with the top order blown away told the story of Bangladesh's collapse. The top order simply had no answers to the movement and pressure, with Afghanistan's frontline attack front-loading Omarzai and Ahmadzai, who turned the screws relentlessly. Blow after blow landed, the runs dried up, and Bangladesh were left gasping on a surface that offered the bowlers plenty. Just when it seemed like the innings was sinking without a trace, Parvez Hossain Emon and Saif Hassan threw Bangladesh a lifeline. The pair took the spinners on with calm heads, refusing to force the issue and choosing survival over risk. With Rashid, Nabi and Ghazanfar choking the flow of runs, boundaries were hard to come by, but the two dug in and refused to buckle, forming a resilient 93-run stand.

A quick chat with Azmatullah Omarzai - Omarzai says that they are satisfied with their bowling performance and mentions that Yamin bowled really well, and he just tried to build a bowling partnership with him. On the difference in the surface from Abu Dhabi, Omarzai tells that they knew the Sharjah wicket is slower, and they tried to keep the stumps in play and offer no room to the batters.

Total domination - Turns out that it was a great toss to lose for Afghanistan, all in all. Their bowlers ran rings around the Bangladeshi batting unit with a professional bowling performance, hunting as a pack and never once letting the pressure slip. Rashid was once again the standout with the ball, snaring a spectacular four-wicket haul to back up his four-for against Zimbabwe. It is a sorry-looking scorecard for Bangladesh. Apart from Emon and Saif, not a single batter managed to cross 20, which only deepens their recurring batting woes, struggles that show no sign of ending anytime soon.

Mustafizur Rahman is the last batter in for Bangladesh.

Has that been taken? Does seem like it, and Mohammad Nabi is the gift that just keeps giving, even at this age. Actually, the third umpire is called in to have a look. Nabi reacts sharply to his left at first slip but the ball bobbles out before Nabi manages to somehow pluck it with his right hand. OUT!