Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2022: Mujeeb and Rashid show, Najibullah's fireworks and other talking points

Afghanistan on Tuesday became the first team to qualify for the Super 4 stage of the 2022 Asia Cup with another clinical performance, this time pulling off a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Sharjah.

The Afghan bowling unit appeared to have picked up from where they left off against Sri Lanka as the spin pair of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan rocked the Bangladesh batting order with three-wicket hauls. Had it not been for some vital contributions from the middle and lower order, the match would’ve ended a lot quicker for the Mohammad Nabi-led outfit.

The Bangladesh bowlers though kept the team’s hopes of victory intact with a disciplined show for the most part during Afghanistan’s chase, but all of that fell apart in the death overs thanks to the brilliance of Najibullah Zadran, who blasted his way to an unbeaten 43 to guide his team home.

Asia Cup 2022, Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: Spinners, Najibullah Zadran’s cameo take Afghans into Super 4s

The spirited Afghans thus are assured the top spot in Group B after collecting two wins in as many games while the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh clash on Thursday effectively becomes a knockout clash. It was far from an ideal start to their campaign for Shakib Al Hasan-led Tigers, who opted to bat after winning the toss but lost wickets from the word ‘go’.

The three-time runners-up will hope to produce a much better show two days later in what will effectively be an eliminator.

Looking back at the events of what was the first match of the 2022 Asia Cup hosted at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, we pick five talking points from the game:

The Mujeeb and Rashid show

While it was seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi who shone against Sri Lanka on Saturday, it was the spin pair who led the way for the Afghanistan bowlers this time around with Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/16) and Rashid Khan (3/22) sharing six of the seven Bangladesh wickets that fell on the day.

– If Farooqi doesn’t get you, #Mujeeb will.
– If Mujeeb doesn’t get you,
Nabi will.
– If Nabi doesn’t get you,
Naveen will.
– If all else fails,
RASHID KHAN will definitely get you.

Take #Afghanistan lightly at your own peril