Get the complete BAN vs AFG live score and full scorecard from the Asia Cup 2025, 9th Match. Bangladesh win by 8 runs in a last-over thriller. See highlights & analysis.
BAN vs AFG Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: Tigers Edge Out Afghanistan in an 8-Run Classic!
What a match! The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore witnessed an absolute nail-biter as Bangladesh held their nerve to defeat a spirited Afghanistan side by a mere 8 runs in the 9th Match of the Asia Cup 2025. This crucial Group B encounter was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the momentum swinging like a pendulum until the very last over. For fans frantically checking the BAN vs AFG live score, every ball felt like an event.
This wasn’t just another group stage game; it had massive implications for the Super 4s qualification Asia Cup race. A win for either side would virtually seal their spot in the next round. This high-stakes pressure cooker produced a memorable contest, highlighting the growing rivalry between these two passionate cricketing nations. Stick with us as we break down the Asia Cup 2025 full scorecard, key moments, and what this result means for the tournament.
Match Overview: At a Glance
Before we dive deep into the innings-by-innings analysis, here’s a quick summary of the match essentials.
| Match Details | Description |
| Match | Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 9th Match, Asia Cup 2025 |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Toss | Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat. |
| Result | Bangladesh win by 8 runs |
| Player of the Match | Mushfiqur Rahim (BAN) – 55* (48) |
First Innings: Bangladesh Batting Scorecard
A Shaky Start and a Crucial Partnership
Winning the toss on a good batting surface, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan had no hesitation in batting first. However, the innings didn’t start as planned. The dangerous Fazalhaq Farooqi struck early, removing opener Anamul Haque for just 12, leaving Bangladesh at 28/1.
This brought Najmul Hossain Shanto to the crease, who joined a fluent-looking Litton Das. The pair consolidated brilliantly, absorbing the pressure from Afghanistan’s world-class spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. They stitched together a vital 85-run partnership for the second wicket, laying a solid foundation. Litton Das played some exquisite drives before being cleverly stumped off Mujeeb’s bowling for a well-made 45.
Shanto’s Fifty and the Mushfiqur Flourish
Shanto continued to anchor the innings, reaching a composed half-century. He looked set for a big one before being undone by a googly from the magician, Rashid Khan, for 68. Captain Shakib Al Hasan came and went, scoring a quickfire 30 off 22 balls but failing to convert his start.
At 180/4 in the 38th over, the innings was at a crossroads. Enter the veteran, Mushfiqur Rahim. Known for his calm demeanor and ability to finish an innings, he played a masterful knock. Supported by Mahmudullah (18 off 15), Mushfiqur expertly manipulated the field, running hard between the wickets and finding the boundary at crucial times. His unbeaten 55* off just 48 balls was the driving force that propelled Bangladesh to a competitive total of 256/6 in their 50 overs.
Bangladesh Full Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | How Out |
| Litton Das | 45 | 50 | 5 | 0 | 90.00 | st Gurbaz b Mujeeb |
| Anamul Haque | 12 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 60.00 | c Ibrahim b Farooqi |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | 68 | 75 | 6 | 1 | 90.66 | b Rashid Khan |
| Shakib Al Hasan (c) | 30 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 136.36 | c Nabi b Rashid Khan |
| Mushfiqur Rahim (wk) | 55* | 48 | 4 | 1 | 114.58 | Not Out |
| Mahmudullah | 18 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 120.00 | c Najibullah b Naveen-ul-Haq |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 15* | 10 | 2 | 0 | 150.00 | Not Out |
| Extras | 13 | (b 4, lb 5, w 4) | ||||
| Total | 256/6 | 50 Overs | 5.12 RPO |
Afghanistan Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 10 | 0 | 55 | 1 | 5.50 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 10 | 1 | 42 | 1 | 4.20 |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | 8 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 7.50 |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 0 | 48 | 2 | 4.80 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 4.00 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 6.00 |
Second Innings: The Thrilling Afghanistan Chase
Gurbaz Leads a Dominant Start
Chasing 257 for a win, Afghanistan’s openers came out with clear intent. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, in particular, was in a destructive mood. He took the attack to the Bangladesh pacers, hitting them for powerful boundaries. Ibrahim Zadran played the perfect second fiddle, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Their opening stand of 105 runs in just 18 overs put Afghanistan firmly in the driver’s seat. Gurbaz brought up a blistering half-century and looked unstoppable. Bangladesh looked rattled, and the dream of Super 4s qualification was quickly turning into a nightmare.
The Spinners Trigger an Afghanistan Batting Collapse
Shakib Al Hasan, seeing the game slip away, turned to his trusted spinners. The move paid immediate dividends. Mehidy Hasan Miraz made the crucial breakthrough, getting Ibrahim Zadran caught at mid-wicket for 35. Soon after, Shakib himself trapped the dangerous Gurbaz LBW for a brilliant 70 off 65 balls.
This opened the floodgates. The dismissal of the two set openers triggered a dramatic Afghanistan batting collapse. Rahmat Shah (8), Hashmatullah Shahidi (5), and Najibullah Zadran (2) all fell in quick succession as Bangladesh’s spinners choked the run flow. From a commanding 105/0, Afghanistan slumped to a precarious 140/5.
[Infographic showing the fall of wickets for Afghanistan’s innings]
Nabi and Rashid Khan’s Valiant Fightback
With the required rate climbing, the experienced duo of Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan shouldered the responsibility. Nabi played a calm, calculated innings, while Rashid played his natural, aggressive game. They added 65 crucial runs for the 7th wicket, bringing Afghanistan right back into the contest.
The match went down to the wire. With 25 needed off the last 3 overs, the tension was palpable. Taskin Ahmed bowled a brilliant 48th over, conceding just 5 runs and picking up the wicket of Nabi (40).
Mustafizur’s Masterclass in the Final Over
It all came down to the final over. Afghanistan needed 12 runs to win, with the explosive Rashid Khan on strike. Shakib handed the ball to his premier death bowler, Mustafizur Rahman.
- Ball 1: Slower ball, Rashid swings and misses. Dot ball. (12 needed off 5)
- Ball 2: A perfect yorker. Rashid digs it out for a single. (11 needed off 4)
- Ball 3: Another brilliant slower-ball cutter. Mujeeb is beaten and run out trying to steal a bye. (11 needed off 3)
- Ball 4: WICKET! The big one! Mustafizur deceives Rashid Khan with another off-cutter. Rashid skies it, and Litton Das takes a safe catch. The crowd erupts!
- Ball 5 & 6: Mustafizur bowls two more clever deliveries, conceding only two singles.
It was a masterclass of death bowling. The final Mustafizur Rahman figures of 10-0-45-2 do not do justice to the impact of that final over. Afghanistan finished on 248/9, falling agonizingly short.
Afghanistan Full Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | How Out |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | 70 | 65 | 8 | 2 | 107.69 | lbw b Shakib Al Hasan |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 35 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 87.50 | c Mahmudullah b Mehidy |
| Rahmat Shah | 8 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 53.33 | c Litton Das b Taskin Ahmed |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 41.66 | b Shakib Al Hasan |
| Najibullah Zadran | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 22.22 | run out (Shanto/Mushfiqur) |
| Mohammad Nabi | 40 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 95.23 | c Mehidy b Taskin Ahmed |
| Rashid Khan | 28 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 175.00 | c Litton Das b Mustafizur Rahman |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 | run out (Mushfiqur) |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 2* | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 | Not Out |
| Extras | 15 | (b 2, lb 6, w 7) | ||||
| Total | 248/9 | 50 Overs | 4.96 RPO |
Key Players and Turning Points
This match was filled with game-changing moments. Here are the ones that defined the outcome:
- Mushfiqur Rahim’s Finishing Knock (55):* His late acceleration provided the extra 20-30 runs that ultimately proved to be the margin of victory. A true Player of the Match performance.
- Gurbaz’s Opening Blitz (70): The Afghan opener’s ferocious attack put Bangladesh on the back foot and gave his team the perfect platform for the chase.
- The Mid-Innings Collapse: Bangladesh’s spinners, led by Shakib and Mehidy, pulling the game back by taking 5 wickets for just 35 runs was the biggest turning point.
- Mustafizur Rahman’s Final Over: “The Fizz” was at his brilliant best, defending 12 runs with a mix of cutters, yorkers, and immense composure under pressure. This was one of the key performances by Bangladesh bowlers.
[Player performance chart showing top batsmen and bowlers from the match]
Implications for Group B & Super 4s Qualification
This result blows the Super 4s qualification Asia Cup race in Group B wide open.
- For Bangladesh: This victory puts them in a commanding position. With one win under their belt, they are now the favorites to qualify for the Super 4s from this group.
- For Afghanistan: This loss is a significant blow. They will now likely need to win their final group match against Sri Lanka by a considerable margin to boost their net run rate and have any hope of progressing.
Conclusion: A Victory Forged by Experience and Nerve
In the end, it was a classic case of nerve and experience winning out. Bangladesh, despite being under immense pressure during Afghanistan’s chase, trusted their plans and their senior players to deliver. Mushfiqur Rahim’s batting and Mustafizur Rahman’s ice-cool final over were the difference-makers. This is one of those Bangladesh vs Afghanistan highlights that fans will talk about for a long time.
For Afghanistan, it’s another story of “so close, yet so far.” They showed immense fight and skill but will rue the middle-order collapse that cost them the game. They remain a dangerous side capable of beating anyone on their day.
What a spectacular advertisement for cricket! This Bangladesh win by 8 runs has set the tone for the rest of the Asia Cup 2025.
What did you think of the match? Which performance impressed you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was the Player of the Match in the BAN vs AFG Asia Cup 2025 match?
Mushfiqur Rahim was named Player of the Match for his crucial unbeaten knock of 55* off 48 balls, which propelled Bangladesh to a winning total.
2. What was the main turning point in the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan match?
The primary turning point was the Afghanistan batting collapse in the middle overs. After a flying start of 105/0, they lost 5 wickets for just 35 runs, which completely shifted the momentum in Bangladesh’s favor.
3. What were Mustafizur Rahman’s figures in the final over?
In the final over, Mustafizur Rahman conceded only 3 runs and took the massive wicket of Rashid Khan, successfully defending 12 runs to win the match for Bangladesh.
4. How does this result affect the Asia Cup 2025 points table?
This victory gives Bangladesh a huge advantage in Group B, making them strong contenders for a Super 4s spot. Afghanistan now faces a must-win situation in their next match with net run rate likely coming into play.
5. Where can I find the full scorecard for the BAN vs AFG match?
The complete Asia Cup 2025 full scorecard for both Bangladesh’s and Afghanistan’s innings, including batting and bowling figures, is detailed in the blog post above.