Zadrans gun down Tigers 

Despite keeping the scoring rate in check for the most part of the game, Bangladesh were unable to defend a low total as Afghanistan powered their way into the Super 4 of the Asia Cup with a seven-wicket victory at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium today. 

Even while defending a modest total of 127 for seven, Bangladesh bowlers made the Afghans sweat for a while. However, two Zadrans -- Najibullah Zadran and Ibrahim Zadran -- combined for an unbeaten stand of 69 off just 33 balls that eventually shattered Bangladesh's hopes. An explosive unbeaten 17-ball 43-run knock from Najibullah Zadran and a cautious 42 from Ibrahim Zadran saw Afghanistan get over the line with nine balls to spare.   

Najibullah was the one who helped shift the momentum of the game towards Afghanistan when he smoked Bangladesh's key T20 pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, for two massive sixes in the 17th over. The Afghans plundered 17 runs in that over as the required rate was dragged down under 10. 

Najibullah, who hit a total of six maximums in his cameo innings, also finished the chase in style -- with a massive six straight over the head of bowler Mosaddek Hossain in the penultimate over.  

However, before that explosive knock from Najibullah, Bangladesh bowlers kept things really tight for the most part of the innings. They allowed the aggressive Afghan batters to amass only 29 runs for the loss of a solitary wicket in the Powerplay. 

The Tigers could have had their first wicket in the third over of the game had Mahmudullah Riyad not dropped Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz off a Shakib Al Hasan delivery. However, Shakib did not let Gurbaz capitalise on the opportunity as he had the right-hander stumped in the fifth over to help Bangladesh draw first blood. 

With Bangladesh bowlers allowing very little room for the batters to maneuver shots, the other Afghan opener, Hazratullah Zazai, could not play as aggressively as he usually does. He was trapped in front off a Mahedi Hasan delivery in the 10th over that ended his 26-ball 23-run knock. 

Earlier, Bangladesh suffered a top-order collapse after winning the toss and could only amass a low total of 127 for seven. Mosaddek Hossain was the star performer for the Tigers with the bat in hand. The right-hander remained unbeaten for a 31-ball 48, featuring four boundaries and a maximum.