AFG vs BAN Highlights, T20 World Cup Super 8: Afghanistan into ...

T20 World Cup 2024

Afghanistan (AFG) vs Bangladesh (BAN) Super 8 Highlights, T20 World Cup: Afghanistan have made history! The Rashid Khan-led side beat Bangladesh by 8 runs via DLS method in an end to end thriller, and that sealed their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final spot by toppling Australia over.

11:04 IST:

And then there were four! It has been a long and humdinger of a tournament but we now know the four teams that will battle it out in the knockout phase of the competition. It will be South Africa taking on an upbeat Afghanistan in the first semifinal at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad on Thursday 27 June at 6 am IST (12.30 am GMT). Then, it will be a repeat clash of the semifinal from the last T20 World Cup where the reigning T20 World Champions England will take on an unbeaten India side at the Providence Stadium in Guyana also on 27 June but that game will begin at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). You can join us for the early build-up for both those matches but till then, take care and goodbye!

11:08 IST:

Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan says that it's like a dream for them as a team. Says the belief came when they defeated New Zealand. Says he is out of words to describe the emotions. Mentions that he thought they were 10-15 runs short but also says that 115 was the best score on this track. Further adds that they knew Bangladesh would come hard against them and that they needed to be clear with the execution of plans. States they put in that requisite effort. Also says that rain is not in their control but they gave their 100% on the field. On Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen's bowling, he says if you have a strong base in bowling, it gives a good advantage and opportunity to attack in the middle overs. Then goes onto appreciate Naveen and Farooqi saying they are skillful and he is very happy with the way they delivered. Says it is a great achievement for them. They reached the Under 19 semifinals as before so it is a special win for them and the country will be proud of them. Ends up by saying that now they will have to go with a clear plan for the semis.

10:58 IST:

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the captain of Bangladesh says that they bowled really well but as a batting unit, they made some poor decisions, especially in the middle overs, and that cost them. Adds that the plan was to go hard till losing three wickets and then it was just about getting the win. Mentions that throughout the tournament they bowled well and lauds the likes of Rishad Hossain and the pacers and even the fielders but adds that going forward, they need to think about their plans with the bat. Mentions that with the rain stopping play can be frustrating but the ball also gets wet and comes on nicely to bat and it was just about the batters not executing well enough.

10:56 IST:

Naveen-ul-Haq is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational bowling at the top and at the backend as well. He begins by saying that they were dreaming for the past few years about this day and says that he is at a loss for words to describe the feeling. Adds it is a very special moment for them as a team and as a country. He further adds that they knew Bangladesh were going to come hard in the powerplay to chase it down in 12.1 overs and says that they needed wickets inside the first six. Also adds that these are the kinds of games where you don't know what is going to happen and the margin of error is very small. But also says that they knew if they don't give away easy runs, they will be in the game. Ends up by saying they worked very hard for this day and are looking for a good semifinal performance.

10:53 IST:

The Presentation ceremony...

10:53 IST:

Earlier in the game, Rashid Khan opted to bat first on a used pitch, the exact one on which they beat the Aussies in the last game and once again, the duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran was able to put on a stand at the top. It wasn't a brisk one and neither of them could convert it into a big score this time around. Bangladesh fought back hard with the ball and managed to pick up wickets along with keeping runs to a minimum and it was the leggie Rishad Hossain who was the star as he picked up three wickets. Afghanistan huffed and puffed but skipper Rashid Khan managed to put away a couple of balls into the crowd at the death and that virtually got them the win.

10:49 IST:

Needing 115 to win initially, Bangladesh needed a special start as they needed to gun down the target in 12.1 overs if they were to qualify for the semifinals but they kept on losing wickets early on. They had to stop-start their innings on a few occasions as well but after the first 7-8 overs where they really pushed the envelope, they fell flat as they had lost too many wickets and focused on just getting the win. Litton Das who hasn't been in the best of forms in the last year or so was the only one who showed grit and determination. Das hit a stellar half-century and took his side to the brink of victory but simply couldn't hog the strike as much as he needed to and numbers 10 and 11 fell on successive deliveries leaving Das stranded at the other end. This is only the second time that a batter has carried his bat in a losing cause in the T20 World Cup.

10:45 IST:

One of the most epic matches you will ever witness in a World Cup and this game had everything except a Super Over. We had three, no, four rain stoppages, the DLS method also came in but eventually, it was Afghanistan who prevailed in this game and will face South Africa in a bid to play in the Grand Finale. Defending a meager total of 114 runs, Afghanistan needed early wickets and it was yet again Naveen-ul-Haq who stepped up and took the bull by its horns and picked up back-to-back wickets in the third over. After the Powerplay, Rashid Khan weaved his magic and bowled four stellar overs, picking up four wickets and that put his side on top of proceedings. Noor Ahmad and the others bowled economically but it was just slipping out of their grasp with 2 overs to go. And yet again, Naveen bowled the crucial penultimate over and picked up back-to-back wickets yet again to seal the most memorable win for his side in their history which is what we said in the last game when they beat Australia but such is the nature of this win that this win edges even the last game.

11:09 IST:

AFGHANISTAN HAVE DARED TO DREAM AND HAVE TURNED A NEAR IMPOSSIBLE DREAM INTO REALITY! Afghanistan storm into their first-ever T20 World Cup semifinal and this is their first semifinal at the senior level at any World Cup and they have knocked the reigning ODI World Champions, Australia out of the competition. The sheer delight on the faces of the Afghan players, coaching staff and fans alike is a sight to be seen and the players storm the pitch in celebration. As for Bangladesh, they were in with a real chance but have ended up finishing winless in the Super Eight stage of the competition.

10:37 IST:

17.5: Naveen-ul-Haq to Mustafizur Rahman, OUT! LBW! AFGHANISTAN HAVE DONE IT! THEY HAVE TURNED THE TABLES UPSIDE DOWN FROM HAVING BACKS AGAINST THEIR WALL! They came, they dreamt, they executed and they got the desired result! They defeated the Kiwis, executed an audacious heist against the Aussies and now they are through by defeating Bangladesh in the most historic manner! The celebrations begin from Kabul to Kandahar as Afghanistan advances to the semifinals for the first ever time in the T20 World Cup history. A glorious day for Afghanistan cricket. Naveen-ul-Haq spears in a fuller-length delivery which angles back into the batter from the off stump line, Mustafizur Rahman is rooted in the crease and is trapped on the front foot and gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball takes the whisker of the inside edge and pings his front pad. Mustafizur Rahman goes upstairs. UltraEdge comes up and shows that there's no nick when the ball passes through the inside edge. Ball Tracking confirms three reds. OUT it is and Afghanistan creates history by winning this game by 8 runs by DLS method and this means, Australia is officially eliminated from this ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

10:35 IST:

UPDATE 10.29 am IST (4.59 am GMT) - Mustafizur Rahman is the last man in for Bangladesh. Uh, oh! Mustafizur did walk out to bat but he has to walk right back and the covers are coming on as the rain is really pelting down now. What a difference one single delivery makes in such situations as Bangladesh were ahead of the DLS score before the last delivery and now they are 3 runs behind. Hold on! It's cat and mouse stuff in the middle as the covers are taken off and we will have a prompt restart. This game really isn't for the faint-hearted. There is a bit of a halt before we get going though and Rashid Khan is just having a chat with the umpire. Right then, 9 needed from 8 balls and one wicket left, Naveen-ul-Haq is raring to get going and Mustafizur Rahman is on strike. Let's play...

10:29 IST:

17.4: Naveen-ul-Haq to Taskin Ahmed, OUT! CHOPPED ON! NAVEEN-UL-HAQ, YOU BEAUTY! Afghanistan is just a solitary wicket now from the qualification! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls a deceptive slower one from around the stumps and pitches it around off, and nips back it a bit as well. It keeps low and skids through quickly. Taskin Ahmed is deep in his crease and swipes it across the line but gets a thickish inside edge that dismantles the furniture. A sea of raw emotions in the Afghan camp! This game has swung to and fro keeping us all on the edge of the seats.

10:28 IST:

17.3: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, PUT DOWN! Naveen-ul-Haq gets his right hand to the ball but can't keep a hold of it on his follow-through. A genuine chance gone begging. Full and outside off, Litton Das doesn't read the ball, and looks to drive downtown but plays it early and chips it straight back to Naveen-ul-Haq who reaches for it but eventually shells it and parries it around the mid on region for a single.

10:28 IST:

The rain is getting heavier now and Bangladesh are currently a run ahead on the DLS method. But the play goes on and this game just keeps on getting more and more intriguing.

10:28 IST:

17.2: Naveen-ul-Haq to Taskin Ahmed, Around the wicket this time, on a length and around off, Taskin Ahmed hops on the back foot and slices it past backward point for just a single.

10:26 IST:

17.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, Just a single! Naveen-ul-Haq attacks the off stump on a length, Litton Das backs away from the line of the ball and guides it between cover-point for a single. 11 needed off 11 now.

10:26 IST:

Naveen-ul-Haq (3-0-23-2) is brought on to bowl the all-important penultimate over.

10:25 IST:

16.6: Gulbadin Naib to Taskin Ahmed, A dot to end the over. Gulbadin Naib is appealing for caught behind but just for a brief moment. Short and angling on off, Taskin Ahmed goes for a back foot punch beaten on the outside edge.

10:24 IST:

16.5: Gulbadin Naib to Taskin Ahmed, A bit of a yes and no from the two batters but they don't run. Back of a length, around off, Taskin Ahmed defends it in front of covers and wants a quick run but gets a sendback from Litton Das.

10:24 IST:

16.4: Gulbadin Naib to Litton Das, Bowls a leg cutter on a shorter length, and keeps it outside off, Litton Das stands tall in the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

10:23 IST:

16.3: Gulbadin Naib to Taskin Ahmed, Fuller in length from around the stumps, Taskin Ahmed flicks it towards deep square leg for a single.

10:22 IST:

16.2: Gulbadin Naib to Litton Das, Short and outside off, Litton Das pulls it along the grass to long on for one. The DLS score is now level.

10:22 IST:

16.1: Gulbadin Naib to Taskin Ahmed, Angling it on the pads, on a good length, Taskin Ahmed misses to connect and the ball takes the thigh pad before rolling to the square leg region. The fielder from short mid-wicket sprints and keeps it to just one. A leg bye taken.

10:21 IST:

15.6: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, A loud appeal for LBW but turned down. Noor Ahmad is begging to the umpire and they do go upstairs and why not? Noor lands it right in front of the stumps and on a fuller length that turns a shade into the batter after pitching. Litton Das is drawn forward and goes for a front foot defence and wears it on the front pad. UltraEdge shows that there's no bat involved but dramatically Ball Tracking shows that the impact and the wickets are on umpire's call.

10:18 IST:

15.5: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, Good length and a googly on off, Litton Das covers the off-pole and dabs it to short third.

10:17 IST:

15.4: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, Straight and on the stumps, Litton Das defends it off the back foot.

10:17 IST:

15.3: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, A googly on a short length, outside off, Litton Das leaves.

10:16 IST:

15.2: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, FOUR! What a crucial boundary this is! Litton Das gets his hard fought 50. He stands between Afghanistan and their aspirations. Full and on the stumps, Litton Das cashes onto it and sweeps it through deep backward square leg for a boundary.

10:16 IST:

15.1: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, A googly, stays low on the stumps and full in length, Litton Das negotiates well and blocks it off the back foot.

10:15 IST:

14.6: Gulbadin Naib to Litton Das, Short in length and over the top of off, Litton Das stands tall with an upright stance and pulls it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a single to retain the strike.

10:14 IST:

14.5: Gulbadin Naib to Taskin Ahmed, Angles it onto the pads, on a length, Taskin Ahmed misses to flick it across and wears it high on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards widish square leg and they take a leg bye.

10:13 IST:

14.4: Gulbadin Naib to Taskin Ahmed, Around the wicket on a shorter length, outside off, Taskin Ahmed ducks underneath it. The umpire signals for a first bounce.

10:13 IST:

14.3: Gulbadin Naib to Taskin Ahmed, Hits the tight line and a good length, at off, Taskin Ahmed pats it off the outer half of his willow towards point. Dot ball.

10:11 IST:

Taskin Ahmed is the next man in for Bangladesh.

10:11 IST:

14.2: Gulbadin Naib to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Gulbadin Naib with the golden arm! What a belter of a game this is turning out to be! Gulbadin Naib bangs it short and over the top of off, Tanzim Hasan Sakib stands tall in his crease and goes for a cross-batted shot and opens up in his stance. He is quite late on the shot and slices the ball in the air off the outer half of the bat and straight to the safe hands of Mohammad Nabi stationed at covers.

10:10 IST:

14.1: Gulbadin Naib to Litton Das, Charges in from over the wicket and takes the pace off, on a length, on off, Litton Das waits for it to come at him and turns it to widish mid on for a quick single.

10:10 IST:

Gulbadin Naib is back on the field now and will bowl the next over.

10:08 IST:

13.6: Noor Ahmad to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Flatter googly around off and turning away, Tanzim Hasan Sakib does well to block it out.

10:08 IST:

13.5: Noor Ahmad to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Beaten! Bowled flatter and full around off, turning away, Tanzim Hasan Sakib looks to block off the back foot but the ball beats the outside edge.

10:08 IST:

13.4: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, On a good length and around off, Litton Das plays it through mid on and picks up a single.

10:07 IST:

13.3: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, Dropped on a shorter length and around off, Litton Das hangs back and nudges it down with soft hands to short third.

10:07 IST:

13.2: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, Goes full and wide outside off, Litton Das leaves it alone in hopes of a wide but it is inside the guideline.

10:06 IST:

13.1: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, Things are getting nervy out in the middle. Looped up, a bit too full and around off, this one dips and Litton Das plays it on the full through mid-wicket. They push for two but Tanzim Hasan Sakib drops his bat and the throw from the deep is at the bowler's end but is a bit late. Noor Ahmad fails to cleanly collect the ball at the non-striker's end.

10:05 IST:

12.6: Rashid Khan to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, A bit fuller and at the batter, turning in, Tanzim Hasan Sakib manages to block it off. End of a stellar spell from Rashid Khan as he finishes with 4 for 23 in 4 overs.

10:05 IST:

12.5: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, Another wrong 'un, on the shorter side and turning back in from outside off, Litton Das presses back and dabs it wide of backward point for another single. Bangladesh are officially out of the semifinals race now, informs the on-air commentator.

10:04 IST:

12.4: Rashid Khan to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nicely played! Bowled flatter and around off stump, Tanzim Hasan Sakib lets the ball come on and punches it square through cover-point for one more.

10:04 IST:

12.3: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, Bowled into the pitch and at the batter, Litton Das rocks back and forces the pull without much timing down to long on for a run.

10:03 IST:

12.2: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, Fractionally short over middle, Litton Das uses the depth of the crease and backs away before pulling it in front of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

10:02 IST:

12.1: Rashid Khan to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, The wrong 'un, pushed through a bit fuller and on the middle stump, Tanzim Hasan Sakib rocks back nicely and punches it with a straight bat down to long on for a single.

10:01 IST:

11.6: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, Flighted up on the off stump line, Litton Das leans ahead and blocks it down the pitch.

10:01 IST:

11.5: Noor Ahmad to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Flatter delivery, bowled around off stump, Tanzim Hasan Sakib rocks back and slaps the ball past the diving cover fielder looking for two but they settle for the single.

10:01 IST:

We are back again. It was just another passing shower and the players are back on the field to resume the proceedings. We have officially lost 1 over now and the revised target is 114 in 19 overs. Gulbadin Naib hasn't taken the field and Najibullah Zadran is in for him.

10:04 IST:

UPDATE - Oh, dear! The rain has arrived again and the covers are coming on. Bangladesh are behind by 2 runs in the DLS method and as it stands, Afghanistan will go through. It was a slight drizzle early on and the umpires were adamant to keep the play going before Gulbadin Naib at first slipped down on the ground holding his hamstring and Rashid Khan was absolutely livid with that act. The fact of the matter is the umpires might have called the covers on anyway but there was a signal from the Afghanistan dugout to slow things down. A real grey area this but eventually, play has come to a halt once again and Bangladesh are as much the guilty party as they lost two successive wickets.

09:52 IST:

11.4: Noor Ahmad to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, And again! Comes from around the stumps, bowling it flat and full, drifting in from around off and turning away. Tanzim Hasan Sakib presses back and plays inside the line.

09:51 IST:

11.3: Noor Ahmad to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Beaten again! Floated up nicely around off stump and turning away from the right-hander. Tanzim Hasan Sakib plays and misses.

09:51 IST:

11.2: Noor Ahmad to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, A wrong'un from Noor Ahmad, bowled flatter and around off stump, zipping away, Tanzim Hasan Sakib gets squared up and beaten past the outside edge.

09:50 IST:

11.1: Noor Ahmad to Litton Das, Floats it up, a bit full and on leg stump, Litton Das gets a leading edge onto the off side and picks up a single.

09:50 IST:

Tanzim Hasan Sakib is the new batter in.

09:49 IST:

10.6: Rashid Khan to Rishad Hossain, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Rashid Khan, you beauty! The Afghan skipper might be single-handedly dragging them into the semifinals here, what an effort. Rashid dishes out yet another googly and floats it up on the off stump. Rishad Hossain sits down to swipe across the line but is beaten all ends up by the turn into him and Rishad hears the death rattle behind him. Afghanistan on top of proceedings now.

09:49 IST:

Rishad Hossain is the next batter for Bangladesh. 

09:48 IST:

10.5: Rashid Khan to Mahmudullah, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! What a review! No one other than the keeper was sure about it but Rashid Khan took the risk and it paid off big time. Rashid tosses the ball up full and around off, it is the wrong'un that dips and turns in a bit. Mahmudullah looks to reach out and hammers it through covers but is beaten past the outside edge. The substitute keeper, Mohammad Ishaq pouches it and appeals but it is turned down. The third umpire is called in and there is a spike on UltraEdge.

09:46 IST:

10.4: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, Shorter in length and over the stumps, Litton Das backs away and pulls it firmly through mid-wicket for just another single.

09:45 IST:

10.3: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, On a dragged length around the off stump line, Litton Das goes on the back foot and dabs it down to short third.

09:44 IST:

10.2: Rashid Khan to Mahmudullah, On a fuller length on off stump, Mahmudullah watchfully plays it away past the point region for just one more. It seems Bangladesh have accepted their fate and just won to win the game rather than go for broke and push for that coveted semifinal berth.

09:44 IST:

10.1: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, Drags it down a bit bowling it flatter on the stumps, Litton Das rocks back and swats it down to long on for a single.

09:44 IST:

Drinks break! Well then, after 10 overs of the run chase, still all three teams are in with a chance. Afghanistan need 5 more wickets to win whereas Bangladesh need 39 runs in just 2.1 overs if they want to qualify but if they get to those 39 runs even after the stipulated time, Afghanistan will be knocked out. This is the last recognized batting pair for Bangladesh but the next couple of batters can strike a ball and Rashid Khan will be aware of that. It will be interesting to see how Rashid and co attack now.

09:41 IST:

9.6: Noor Ahmad to Mahmudullah, Full on the off stump. Mahmudullah looks to chip in the leg side but gets a leading edge towards covers where Rashid Khan fumbles but manages to restrict them from taking a single with a quick recovery.

09:41 IST:

9.5: Noor Ahmad to Mahmudullah, Length ball outside the off stump, Mahmudullah works it off the back foot to short third man.

09:40 IST:

9.4: Noor Ahmad to Mahmudullah, FOUR! Excellent placement! Serves a half volley on off, Mahmudullah reaches to it with a huge stride forward and caresses the drive through covers for a boundary.

09:39 IST:

9.3: Noor Ahmad to Mahmudullah, Fuller on the middle stump, Mahmudullah gets forward and turns it to the leg side. Noor runs and dives to his right to stop the ball.

09:39 IST:

9.2: Noor Ahmad to Mahmudullah, Good length outside the off stump, this is pushed straight to short third man by Mahmudullah.

09:39 IST:

9.1: Noor Ahmad to Mahmudullah, A googly on a length from over the wicket, turning away a bit from off, Mahmudullah gets beaten on the cut shot.

09:39 IST:

Noor Ahmad is now brought into the attack.

09:38 IST:

8.6: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, FOUR! What a shot! Two-in-two for Litton Das. A wrong'un outside off, on a good length, Litton Das quickly uses the depth of the crease and cuts it late and very fine towards the vacant deep third for a boundary.

09:37 IST:

8.5: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, FOUR! Absolute belter from Litton Das! Regular leg-spinner outside off, Litton Das charges down the track and flat-bats it over mid off for a boundary.

09:37 IST:

8.4: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, Quicker one on a shortish length and outside off, Litton Das goes for a cut shot but misses.

09:36 IST:

8.3: Rashid Khan to Mahmudullah, Flatter one, bowled a tad full and around off, Mahmudullah rocks back and dabs it late behind backward point for a quick single.

09:35 IST:

Mahmudullah is the new man in.

09:35 IST:

8.2: Rashid Khan to Towhid Hridoy, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Rashid does it again. He is such a key weapon for this Afghan outfit! Bowls a flipper on a fullish length, it skids and bounces as well around off, Towhid Hridoy premeditates and sits down on his knee to slog it over but hits it with no real timing on it and against the wind. As a result, the ball hangs up and swirls high in the air and carries towards deep mid-wicket region where Ibrahim Zadran runs in a couple of yards and takes a good catch. This is Rashid's 150th T20I wicket.

09:34 IST:

8.1: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, Googly turning on the leg stump line, Litton Das sits for a sweep but it brushes off his pads towards widish short fine for a leg bye.

09:33 IST:

7.6: Mohammad Nabi to Towhid Hridoy, Full and on the off stump line, Towhid Hridoy steers it to deep mid-wicket for a brace. Bangladesh now need 53 off the next 4.1 overs to qualify.

09:33 IST:

7.5: Mohammad Nabi to Towhid Hridoy, FOUR! Gets one off the middle of the bat now. Tossed up in the slot and on the stumps, Towhid Hridoy gets down on one knee and smacks it one-bounce and over the ropes between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for four more.

09:32 IST:

7.4: Mohammad Nabi to Towhid Hridoy, FOUR! Oh, another error in the field and the luck is going Bangladesh's way. This is flighted up on a length on the stumps, Towhid Hridoy sits down to sweep again but gets a top edge that goes over short third. Noor Ahmad chases it down and slides in to pull it back in but fumbles and the ball trickles into the fence.

09:32 IST:

7.3: Mohammad Nabi to Towhid Hridoy, IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Noor Ahmad overran to grab that! Good length turning in from outside off, Towhid Hridoy goes for a pull shot but slices it up in the air behind the keeper. Noor Ahmad runs a mile to the deep from short fine but fails to hold onto it. Two taken.

09:31 IST:

7.2: Mohammad Nabi to Towhid Hridoy, Slower through the air on off, turning into the batter, Towhid Hridoy goes back and across and punches it straight towards covers.

09:30 IST:

7.1: Mohammad Nabi to Towhid Hridoy, Shade full in length, around off, skids through quickly as well. Towhid Hridoy pats it back to the bowler.

09:29 IST:

6.6: Rashid Khan to Towhid Hridoy, Tossed up around the stumps, Towhid Hridoy leans and steers it towards deep backward square leg for a single.

09:29 IST:

6.5: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, 50 up for Bangladesh! A googly around off, Litton Das pushes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

09:29 IST:

6.4: Rashid Khan to Towhid Hridoy, Short and turning away outside off, Towhid Hridoy hangs back and cuts it to deep point for one.

09:29 IST:

6.3: Rashid Khan to Soumya Sarkar, OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Rashid Khan strikes in his first over and Bangladesh lose their fourth wicket now. A conventional leg break on a shortish length, it skids through quickly, right in the front of the wickets. Soumya Sarkar is caught off guard as the ball comes too quickly after pitching and he fails to connect to the tuck across towards the leg side. The ball breaks into the stumps sneaking past the willow's edge.

09:28 IST:

Towhid Hridoy walks in at number 6.

09:26 IST:

6.3: Rashid Khan to Soumya Sarkar, WIDE! Turns and drifts it down the leg side. Soumya Sarkar misses to clip it to the leg side. Wide given.

09:26 IST:

6.2: Rashid Khan to Soumya Sarkar, Tossed up down the leg side. Soumya Sarkar goes for a slog sweep once again but it clips on the pads.

09:25 IST:

6.1: Rashid Khan to Litton Das, Short from Rashid, outside off, Litton Das sits and drags it down to long on for one.

09:24 IST:

5.6: Mohammad Nabi to Soumya Sarkar, Flighted off-break on a good length, around off, Soumya Sarkar gets low and attempts a sweep but misses.

09:24 IST:

5.5: Mohammad Nabi to Litton Das, Tossed up middle, Litton Das slogs it to deep mid-wicket for one.

09:50 IST:

5.4: Mohammad Nabi to Soumya Sarkar, Drama of high intensity here! Short and on the stumps, Soumya Sarkar steers it off the inner half of the willow to the leg side just near the wicket-keeper. Mohammad Ishaq collects the ball on the bounce and hits the stumps in a go but Soumya Sarkar has his feet grounded. The ball deflects from the stumps and rolls to the point region allowing them to take a single.

09:23 IST:

5.3: Mohammad Nabi to Soumya Sarkar, Just short of Fazalhaq Farooqi. Round the wicket, on a length, at the stumps, Soumya Sarkar goes for a reverse sweep but gets it off the top edge that falls just short ahead of Fazalhaq Farooqi at short third.

09:22 IST:

5.2: Mohammad Nabi to Litton Das, This one sharply turns in on a length, on the middle, Litton Das goes back and across quickly and cuts it late to short third for a quick single. A throw at the non-striker's end and a good backup.

09:21 IST:

5.1: Mohammad Nabi to Litton Das, Slower through the air, full and on off, Litton Das plants his front leg ahead and eases it to the right of the bowler. Mohammad Nabi chases the ball to his right and restricts the single.

09:22 IST:

Mohammad Nabi comes in to bowl the final over of the Powerplay. Also, given we have had five overs of play, if the rain comes now, it will do neither side any good as Bangladesh are ahead on DLS method but their NRR wouldn't improve enough.

09:20 IST:

4.6: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, Hard length around middle and angling in, Litton Das walks inside the line of the ball and hits it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

09:19 IST:

4.5: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, On a good length and outside off, Litton Das moves across to the off side and takes on the lofted shot, not timing it perfectly but enough to get it over mid off. The ball plugs in the outfield and they get a couple of runs more.

09:19 IST:

4.4: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, Good comeback delivery from Naveen! Goes pace on, bowling it full and in the channel around off stump and angling back in. Litton Das looks to drive but is beaten.

09:18 IST:

4.3: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, FOUR! Good shot! Litton Das comes down the pitch and Naveen-ul-Haq bangs it in short and outside off. Das does well to reach the ball and uppercuts it over the backward point region for a handy boundary.

09:17 IST:

4.2: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, Nicely bowled again! Another slower one, bowled fuller and wider of the off stump, Litton Das tries to reach out but fails to get any bat on it.

09:17 IST:

4.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, No run there! Takes pace off and bowls it a tad fuller outside off and angles it back in, Litton Das punches it sweetly but straight to covers.

09:16 IST:

3.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Soumya Sarkar, Pitched up around middle and leg, Soumya Sarkar walks into the shot and gets inside the line a bit before flicking it up and over the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

09:15 IST:

3.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Litton Das, Floated up on a good length and wide of the off stump, Litton Das reaches out and taps the ball wide of the man at deep third for one more.

09:14 IST:

3.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Soumya Sarkar, Good, positive running from the batters! Back of a length and around off stump, bouncing a bit extra, Soumya Sarkar hops back and dabs it down in front of point and runs a single.

09:13 IST:

3.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Litton Das, Comes from around the stumps and pitches it up outside off, taking some pace off as well. Litton Das lets the ball come on and just guides it wide of backward point for a single.

09:16 IST:

We are back! The rain has finally stopped now and the Afghan players are taking their fielding positions. Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar to resume their innings. Fazalhaq Farooqi will continue with his second over. A reminder again, that Bangladesh will need to chase this target down in 12.1 overs or before to qualify if there's no further stoppage due to rain.

09:01 IST:

UPDATE - 8.57 am IST (3.27 am GMT) - There is good news from the ground as the rain has stopped. The time for restart is 9.13 am IST (3.43 am GMT) which is about 15 minutes away. So, grab a cup of coffee and get strapped in as this crucial encounter continues to provide high drama. Also, we still haven't lost any over which is a good thing. If the rain does arrive again then the least Bangladesh need to get a win is to be 35 for 3 at the end of 5 overs which is the DLS par score but that won't see them through and only allow Australia to scrape through.

08:55 IST:

UPDATE - 8.45 am IST (3.15 am GMT) - Uh, oh! The drizzle is getting heavier now. The players sprint towards their respective dugouts, and the groundsmen rush with the covers to protect the strip. The squares are also getting covered with white sheets all over the ground now. There is a heavy breeze which seems to be moving the rain clouds out of the vicinity for now which could be good news. However, as per the on-air commentators, there's a forecast for heavy to very heavy rainfall later on as well. All we can do is hope for the best and rain to supersede. Stay tuned for further updates.

08:44 IST:

3.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Litton Das, WIDE! The attempted slower ball, spilled full and down the leg side for a wide.

08:42 IST:

3.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Soumya Sarkar, A direct hit might have been tight! Back of a length and around off stump, Soumya Sarkar taps the ball towards backward point and sets off for the single. Azmatullah Omarzai picks up the ball and has a shy at the batter's end but misses. Also, it has started to drizzle but the umpires play on for now.

08:42 IST:

3.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Soumya Sarkar, FOUR! Picked-up and dispatched! Fazalhaq Farooqi serves a bit of a half-volley on the pads, Soumya Sarkar takes it on and flicks it high and in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

08:41 IST:

3.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Soumya Sarkar, WIDE! Pitched up on leg stump and swinging down the leg side, wide called.

08:40 IST:

2.6: Naveen-ul-Haq to Soumya Sarkar, No hat-trick but a momentum-shifting over from Naveen-ul-Haq nonetheless. This is pitched up on the off stump, just nipping away a bit. Soumya Sarkar tentatively plays at it and edges it down with soft hands to third man for a single.

09:06 IST:

Soumya Sarkar is the new batter in at number 5 and will face the hat-trick ball.

08:39 IST:

2.5: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shakib Al Hasan, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Naveen-ul-Haq manages to hang on and he's got two in two! Slower delivery, floated up at the stumps, Shakib Al Hasan leans on and looks to flick across the line but closes the bat's face way too early. The ball goes off the leading edge and back to the bowler who shows good reflexes on the follow-through and after parrying the ball on the first attempt, keeps his cool to snaffle it on the second attempt. Afghan players are all pumped and why not? Naveen-ul-Haq has just provided an inroad for his team and is on a hat-trick now. Bangladesh is a spot of bother now.

08:38 IST:

The vastly experienced Bangladeshi veteran, Shakib Al Hasan is in at number 4.

08:36 IST:

2.4: Naveen-ul-Haq to Najmul Hossain Shanto, OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and Afghanistan have their second wicket. Naveen-ul-Haq stays around the wicket and pitches the ball up on the off stump line. Najmul Hossain Shanto stays back and looks to drag the slog over deep mid-wicket but gets no timing on it whatsoever. The ball flies down to Mohammad Nabi in the deep and he makes no mistake with an easy grab. 

08:35 IST:

2.3: Naveen-ul-Haq to Najmul Hossain Shanto, Slower one, bowled full and outside off stump, Najmul Hossain Shanto looks to drive it away but is beaten by the lack of pace.

08:35 IST:

2.2: Naveen-ul-Haq to Najmul Hossain Shanto, FOUR! Nicely struck! Just short of a good length around off and in the hitting arc, Najmul Hossain Shanto gets across a bit and pulls it flat towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

08:35 IST:

2.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, NOT OUT! Both teams have now lost an early review. Naveen-ul-Haq goes wider on the crease and angles it back in on a good length and into the pads. Litton Das gets squared up a bit and the ball crashes into the pads before rolling away. The batters pick up a leg bye and the appeal for the LBW is turned down. Rashid Khan is forced into reviewing this one and in the end, Ball Tracking shows that it would have missed leg stump.

08:34 IST:

Is that out? Afghanistan has challenged the on-field decision for LBW. UltraEdge shows that there's a clear gap between the bat and the ball. Ball Tracking confirms that the Impact is in line but the ball is missing the leg stump by a fair extent. NOT OUT.

08:31 IST:

1.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Najmul Hossain Shanto, Swing and a miss! Pitched up full and outside off, gets that big inswinger going away and Najmul Hossain Shanto is drawn into the expansive drive but is well beaten.

08:32 IST:

1.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Litton Das, Good length on the stumps and angling across, Litton Das walks across to the off side and looks to paddle it away but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball rolls behind square leg. They get a single.

08:30 IST:

1.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Najmul Hossain Shanto, Pitched-up delivery, looking to swing it back in from the off stump, Najmul Hossain Shanto plays it on the up and towards mid on for a single.

08:30 IST:

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the skipper of Bangladesh walks out to the middle at number 3.

08:29 IST:

1.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Tanzid Hasan, OUT! LBW! A lovely inswinger from Fazalhaq Farooqi and after a prolonged appeal, the umpire's finger goes up for the LBW. Tanzid Hasan has a long chat with Litton Das and reviews it at the last second. Getting to the delivery, Farooqi bowls it on a good length around off stump and gets the ball to just nip back in quickly after pitching. Tanzid with a wild hoick across the line doesn't get even near it. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows three reds and the onfield decision is upheld. Farooqi now has the most wickets ever in a single T20 World Cup as he picks up his 16th of the tournament.

08:27 IST:

1.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Litton Das, Bowled back of a length and around off stump, Litton Das taps the ball out in front of point for an easy single.

08:26 IST:

1.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Litton Das, Starts off on a much straighter line and swings it back onto the pads. Litton Das misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads between the keeper and short fine leg. The ball plugs and the batters pick up a couple of leg byes.

08:28 IST:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is agonizing in pain as he has taken a hit on his left knee as the ball stayed dramatically low and reached him on a couple of bounces. The physio is out there to check him up. The other Afghan players surround him while he gets treated with the magic spray. Oh, no, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is walking off the field grimacing and limping in immense pain supported by the physio. Mohammad Ishaq has replaced Gurbaz as the backup wicket-keeper. Fazalhaq Farooqi to bowl the second over of the chase.

08:22 IST:

0.6: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, Oh, dear! The ball seems to have died down on its way to the keeper and struck Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the knee cap. Slower one, pitched up a bit and outside off, Litton Das looks to drive but is beaten and the ball rolls off the keeper to backward point as they get a bye. The physio is out to have a look and hopefully, Gurbaz is fine.

08:21 IST:

0.5: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, SIX! Wow, that has been crunched! Wider on the crease and angled back in on a fuller length around off. Litton Das is quick to walk past the off stump and whacks the ball well beyond deep mid-wicket for 91-meter biggie.

08:20 IST:

0.4: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, FOUR! Streaky but will do nicely for Litton Das and Bangladesh. Pitched up well wide of the off stump, Das goes after it and gets a big top edge that flies down to deep third for a boundary.

08:21 IST:

0.3: Naveen-ul-Haq to Tanzid Hasan, Tidy fielding from Karim Janat. On a dragged length and at the body, Tanzid Hasan tries to get inside the line but gets it off the thigh pad fine of short third and picks up a leg bye.

08:21 IST:

0.2: Naveen-ul-Haq to Tanzid Hasan, Switches to around the stumps now to the left-hander and gets it to swing away from middle and leg. It is on a good length and Tanzid Hasan blocks it off the front foot to covers.

08:21 IST:

0.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Litton Das, Off the mark right away! Naveen-ul-Haq comes from over the stumps to the right-hander and bowls it full and outside off stump. Litton Das taps it on the up to mid off and gets across for the quick single.

08:19 IST:

We are back for Bangladesh's response! The Afghanistan players are seen in the last-minute huddle and the skipper Rashid Khan is offering words of wisdom to his men before they spread out to the field. A gust of wind blows at St Vincent and out walk Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das, the two openers for Bangladesh. Naveen-ul-Haq will get the proceedings underway with the ball for Afghanistan. And, here we go...

08:14 IST:

... THE RUN CHASE ...

08:18 IST:

UPDATE 8.11 am IST (2.41 am GMT) - It seems the match is about to restart right away. We will start at 8.15 am IST (2.45 am GMT) and no overs are lost. The drainage system is spot on at St Vincent and also huge credit should be given to the ground staff for working tirelessly so that we get the complete game. 

08:18 IST:

UPDATE 8.01 am IST (2.31 am GMT) - Covers are coming off now! Hopefully, we do get a quick restart and if so, we will certainly have a complete game given there's no further rain. 

07:57 IST:

UPDATE 7.50 am IST (2.20 am GMT) - The rain is still around in St Vincent and the live visuals from the ground show that it has slowed down in intensity quite a bit. Also, if we do lose overs and it ends up being a 15-over chase, Bangladesh will have to chase down 94 runs in 7.2 overs if they were to qualify for the semifinals but that's still far away and there will be multiple scenarios as we get a clearer picture. A few minutes later and the rain has stopped which is good news. The visuals show that there is a lot of water on the covers which will need to be carefully gotten rid of and it will take some time for the clean up but the umpires are out in the middle and are having a look. Stick around as we might have an official update soon.

08:01 IST:

The race for the semifinals has reached a thrilling crescendo, and it just couldn't get more intense and nerve-wracking as Australia, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are all still alive in contention. However, the weather looms as a wild card that could shuffle the deck as for Afghanistan, a washout would do the job. For Bangladesh, the equation is quite straight, they must not only secure victory but do so at breakneck speed. To leapfrog both Australia and Afghanistan in terms of NRR, they need to chase down the target in a mere 12.1 overs but they can level the score and hit a four or a six to do the job in 12.3 and 12.5 overs respectively. Meanwhile, Australia will be watching nervously, as their fate is hanging on Bangladesh's performance. But for that, the rain will have to supersede. Stay tuned for further updates.

08:05 IST:

Bangladesh unleashed a fierce opening salvo, with Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib peppering the Afghan openers with relentless back-of-length deliveries. The batters found themselves in constant peril, their edges repeatedly tested as the ball whistled past. Despite their aggressive tactics and pinpoint accuracy, the Bangladeshi bowlers couldn't breach the Afghan defenses during the powerplay and were quite sloppy in the field as well. However, the game's complexion changed dramatically in the mid overs with Rishad Hossain's entry. He struck immediately, breaking the opening stand, and went on to deliver a match-altering spell. His three-wicket haul, including a double strike in the 17th over, turned the tide pretty much in Bangladesh's favor. Taskin Ahmed then struck immediately as well leaving Afghanistan in teeters. Mustafizur Rahman then executed a sensational penultimate over by conceding just a solitary run. Tanzim Hasan Sakib couldn't wrap up well but they still managed to restrict their counterparts below run a ball in 20 overs. Bangladesh bowled 66 dots in overall which speaks how improved they came for this contest, when it mattered the most.

08:08 IST:

The Afghan openers found themselves in hot water against the pacers' barrage of hostile deliveries. Gurbaz and Zadran weathered the storm, though, gritting their teeth through a tense powerplay. They had several plays and misses. However, their cautious approach may not have set the scoreboard alight, but it kept their wickets intact which surely was a psychological win for the two Afghan openers. They displayed excellent running between the wickets, converting singles into doubles with sharp judgment and compensated for the scarcity of boundaries. This resilience, however, was short-lived. Ibrahim Zadran fell trying to accelerate, with Omarzai following soon after a brief stay. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fought hard with his 43 before departing, and when Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi fell in quick succession, Afghanistan's innings began to dent rapidly. Rashid Khan after a dramatic final over came in clutch and struck and thanks to his cameo of 19 off just 10 deliveries, Afghanistan managed to post 115.

07:38 IST:

UPDATE 7.33 am IST (2.03 am GMT) - Well, it is just getting more and more dramatic and intense out there at St Vincent as it has started to pour down very heavily now. The groundsmen bring the covers in. Afghanistan finish off with 115 runs on the board and Bangladesh would surely feel mighty proud of their bowling efforts.

07:31 IST:

19.6: Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rashid Khan, SIX! BANG! A signature shot from Rashid Khan to end the innings and could that be a telling blow for Bangladesh as the rain now comes pouring down and the players rush off the field? Tanzim Hasan Sakib looks to go full and straight but Rashid is deep in the crease and ready for it, Rashid whips the ball across the line and dispatches it onto the roof over the mid-wicket fence for a mammoth biggie. Afghanistan finish with 115/5!

07:30 IST:

19.5: Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rashid Khan, Nicely bowled! A leg cutter now, pitched up outside off stump, Rashid Khan shuffles across to slog it away but misses and wears it on the body.

07:29 IST:

19.4: Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Karim Janat, Just the single! Full and straight at the stumps, Karim Janat drills the ball down to long on for a run.

07:29 IST:

19.3: Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rashid Khan, Have you ever seen that? Rashid Khan has thrown his bat at his partner and is livid with Karim Janat for denying the second run. This is pitched up around off stump, Rashid Khan hangs deep and throws his bat at it and ends up slicing the ball high and to the left of the cover fielder inside the ring. Mahmudullah moves across to his left, crouches a bit but the ball falls safely next to him. It gets deflected off his knees to point and seeing that Rashid turns for the second run. But to his disappointment, Karim is not going anywhere and that results in Rashid throwing his bat at his partner in frustration. That didn't look good. You need to compose yourself even when the situation is tough. Anyway, Janat has calmly walked up to his skipper and handed him his bat. The on-air commentators are finding some comic relief in it but we are finding none. A player of Rashid's stature especially, who's an inspiration for many, must have avoided that ugly moment. Anyway, let's move on.

07:29 IST:

19.2: Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Rashid Khan, SIX! That has been put away over the ropes! Banged in a bit short and wide of the off stump, Rashid Khan hangs back and slaps the ball up and over the cover region for a biggie.

07:28 IST:

19.1: Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Karim Janat, Excellent fielding from Najmul Hossain Shanto. Hard length outside off, Karim Janat hangs back and slaps the ball flat over mid off but Shanto leaps up and gets a hand on it. The ball rolls behind and Rashid Khan opts to take just the single.

07:33 IST:

Tanzim Hasan Sakib (3-0-21-0) will bowl the final over of the first innings. More drama to the proceedings as it has now begun to drizzle out there and the ground staff is ready with the covers behind the ropes.

07:27 IST:

18.6: Mustafizur Rahman to Rashid Khan, Wow, another play and a miss and just one run comes off the penultimate over. Another slower delivery, back of a length and angled across the off stump, Rashid Khan throws the kitchen sink at it but fails to connect.

07:26 IST:

18.5: Mustafizur Rahman to Rashid Khan, Slower one, the cutter that goes away from the right-hander. This is bowled on a length and angled well across the off stump. Rashid Khan slashes and misses.

07:26 IST:

18.4: Mustafizur Rahman to Rashid Khan, A bit of cat and mouse between the bowler and batter. Rashid Khan moves in the crease and walks past the outside off, Mustafizur Rahman follows him with a slow and wide one. Rashid doesn't quite keep his shape and fails to play it over the off side and no wide is signaled either.

07:25 IST:

18.3: Mustafizur Rahman to Rashid Khan, Rolls his fingers across the ball and angles it away from the off stump, Rashid Khan looks to loft it over the off side but misses.

07:24 IST:

18.2: Mustafizur Rahman to Karim Janat, Shorter this time and at the batter's body, Karim Janat manages to fend it away towards short fine leg for a single. The 100 is finally up for Afghanistan.

07:24 IST:

18.1: Mustafizur Rahman to Karim Janat, Nicely bowled! Slightly back of a length over middle, some additional bounce and nipping back in off the deck as well. Karim Janat gets pegged back and beaten on the inside edge while looking to work it away.

07:24 IST:

Mustafizur Rahman (3-0-16-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

07:22 IST:

17.6: Taskin Ahmed to Rashid Khan, SIX! Rashid Khan connects and connects well! Just short of a good length and over the stumps, Khan clears the front leg and keeps a stable base before whipping it away over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

07:21 IST:

17.5: Taskin Ahmed to Rashid Khan, Back of a length and in the channel outside off, Rashid Khan looks to get across and pull but is beaten.

07:22 IST:

The Afghan skipper, Rashid Khan comes out at number 7. Will he bail his team out of a precarious condition towards the back end? Let's find out...

07:20 IST:

17.4: Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, OUT! CAUGHT! Taskin Ahmed built up enough pressure in those first three deliveries and is now rewarded with a wicket. Not quite short from Taskin rather just hammered in on a hard length around off stump. Mohammad Nabi looks to stay put and smash it across the line with sort of a horizontal bat but is late on the shot and the ball gets lofted away off the top edge in front of mid off. Najmul Hossain Shanto calls for it and takes a simple catch.

07:20 IST:

17.3: Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, A third short ball in a row and the result is exactly the same and Bangladesh are loving it. Banged in short and around off stump, angling back in, Nabi pulls and misses yet again.

07:19 IST:

17.2: Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Another one that is dug in short with intent and angled in from around off stump, Mohammad Nabi takes on the pull but fails to connect once more.

07:18 IST:

17.1: Taskin Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi, Starts off with a quick bumper and bowls it right at the batter, Mohammad Nabi tries to take it on but is beaten for pace and bounce.

07:17 IST:

16.6: Rishad Hossain to Karim Janat, FOUR! That is some shot! Tossed up again and outside off, Karim Janat leans on and smashes the ball away through extra cover for a boundary. End of an entertaining over.

07:17 IST:

16.5: Rishad Hossain to Karim Janat, Beautifully bowled! Nicely tossed up, drifting onto off and middle, turning away as well, Karim Janat gets an outside edge just wide of first slip.

07:17 IST:

Karim Janat is in at number 6.

07:16 IST:

16.4: Rishad Hossain to Gulbadin Naib, OUT! CAUGHT! What a catch from Soumya Sarkar and Rishad Hossain has his third wicket. Nicely tossed up around off, just drifting enough and turning away. Gulbadin Naib looks to slog it across the line and against the turn. The ball is sliced up in the air over the cover region and hangs for a bit. Soumya Sarkar covers a lot of ground as he comes charging in from the deep extra covers, and dives forward, holding onto the catch with his left hand even as he thuds onto the ground. A dramatic collapse for Afghanistan and they look distraught in the dugout.

07:15 IST:

16.3: Rishad Hossain to Gulbadin Naib, Swing and a miss! This is floated up on a length outside off and turning further away, Gulbadin Naib sits down for the big heave across the line but misses.

07:14 IST:

16.2: Rishad Hossain to Mohammad Nabi, Tossed up full and on off stump, Mohammad Nabi hammers it flat and on the bounce to long off for a single.

07:14 IST:

'The President' Mohammad Nabi walks in at number 4.

07:13 IST:

16.1: Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! CAUGHT! Rishad Hossain with the big strike and Rahmanullah Gurbaz is left in disbelief. Rishad dishes out the leg break and bowls it full and wide of the off stump, just getting some bite off the surface. Gurbaz stays back and reaches out before slashing the ball aerially to sweeper cover and Soumya Sarkar takes a simple catch. 

07:12 IST:

15.6: Mustafizur Rahman to Gulbadin Naib, FOUR! Hammered away! Too full and in the slot around off, Gulbadin Naib hangs back and just swats the ball along the ground into the long off fence for a much-needed boundary.

07:12 IST:

Gulbadin Naib is in at number 4.

07:11 IST:

15.5: Mustafizur Rahman to Azmatullah Omarzai, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Good review from Bangladesh and Mustafizur Rahman gets a timely wicket. Fizz uses those lovely wrists of his and bowls it on a good length in the channel. The ball angles away but bounces a bit extra as well. Azmatullah Omarzai is pressed back and has a poke at it but the ball seems to have gone past the outside edge. There is a noise and the keeper goes up to appeal it but it is turned down. On reviewing, UltraEdge shows that the ball did take the toe end of the bat and Azmat has to walk back.

07:09 IST:

15.4: Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, What happened there? A comedy of errors out in the middle and that is poor cricket from both sides. Slightly back of a length and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps it wide of backward point and they start running. Gurbaz stays put though and Azmatullah Omarzai finds himself beside Gurbaz at the batter's end. The two are stranded at the batter's end with immense confusion. Rahmanullah Gurbaz slips in the process but eventually reaches to the non-striker's enda as Rishad Hossain picks up the ball and throws it at the wrong end and misses the stumps at the keeper's end. The throw is wide and they eventually manage to get the single.

07:08 IST:

15.3: Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shortens the length and bowls it over off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leans back and just angles the ball away wide of deep third for a couple of runs.

07:07 IST:

15.2: Mustafizur Rahman to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Swing and a miss! This is bowled quite full and close to the off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles across to heave it away but is well beaten.

07:06 IST:

15.1: Mustafizur Rahman to Azmatullah Omarzai, Pitched up wide of the off stump, Azmatullah Omarzai reaches out and jams it back onto the deck and the ball rolls to the off side. They get a single.

07:05 IST:

14.6: Shakib Al Hasan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Too full and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets a step forward and drives it to the bowler again.

07:05 IST:

14.5: Shakib Al Hasan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tossed up on the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dances down to the pitch of the ball and eases it back to the right of the bowler.

07:05 IST:

14.4: Shakib Al Hasan to Azmatullah Omarzai, Short on the middle stump, Azmatullah Omarzai pulls it off the back foot straight to deep mid-wicket for a single.

07:04 IST:

14.3: Shakib Al Hasan to Azmatullah Omarzai, Good length, and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai cuts it to backward point. Mahmudullah runs to his left from covers and stops it but couldn't restrict the double.

07:03 IST:

14.2: Shakib Al Hasan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Drifting in on the pads, and a shade shorter in length, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses the depth of the crease, and nudges it to the vacant mid-wicket region for a single. 

07:03 IST:

14.1: Shakib Al Hasan to Azmatullah Omarzai, Shakib almost plucked that out of thin air! Shakib Al Hasan lands it short in length, and cramps Azmat for room on the stumps, Azmatullah Omarzai goes back and across and tries to go downtown but plays it too close to the body for that shot, and slices it to the left of the bowler in the air. Shakib Al Hasan moves to his left and leaps full-stretched in the air but fails to get his left hand on the ball. The ball lands around the mid off region and a single is taken.

07:02 IST:

13.6: Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! Nice shot! Full and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles again and sweeps it behind the square and gets it through the deep square leg fielder who sprints to his right for a boundary.

07:02 IST:

13.5: Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Full and wide outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles and sweeps it to deep square leg for a couple.

07:01 IST:

13.4: Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Full and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives it on the front foot to covers.

07:01 IST:

13.3: Rishad Hossain to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! A respite for Gurbaz with that boundary! A four after 39 deliveries. Offers some width outside off, full in length, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets ahead and extends his arms and drives it through backward point for a boundary. 

07:00 IST:

13.2: Rishad Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai, Full and wide of off, Azmatullah Omarzai drives it to deep extra covers for one.

07:00 IST:

13.1: Rishad Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai, Valiant effort! Full in length and outside off, with a good amount of revs on it, Azmatullah Omarzai clears his front leg but slices it up in the night sky. The ball balloons but over covers and is hit into the wind which gives some backspin to the ball as well. The fielder sprints in from the deep and puts in a dive forward but doesn't quite manage to get to the ball. Two taken.

06:58 IST:

12.6: Shakib Al Hasan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good length on the outside off, angling back in. Rah