Bangladesh keep Asia Cup hopes alive with victory against Afghanistan

    Bangladesh kept their Asia Cup hopes alive after an eight-run victory against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

    Bangladesh ODI partnership Bangladesh ODI partnership

    Having won the toss and opting to bat first, the Tigers posted a total of 154-5 in their 20 overs with opener Tanzid Hasan top-scoring with 52 from 31 balls.

    There were further contributions from fellow opener Saif Hassan, who hit 30, while Towhid Hridoy struck 26 and both Jaker Ali and Nurul Hasan were 12 not out.

    Afghanistan, as usual, relied heavily on their spin attack with Noor Ahmed taking 2-23 while captain Rashid Khan finished with figures of 2-26.

    They however did lose wickets at regular intervals in the run-chase and slipped to 77-5 after 13 overs to be behind in the game.

    Mustafizur Rahman was the chief instigator in the Bangladesh bowling attack, the seamer taking 3-28 in his four overs as Afghanistan were 146 all out.

    It was a good bounce back in the tournament from the Tigers after a defeat to Sri Lanka in their last encounter.