Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2018
Mustafizur Rahman was the hero for Bangladesh. (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)

Afghanistan is building up a  habit of featuring in close matches. However, sadly they have been on the wrong side of the result. The fourth match of the Super Four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup went down to the wire as Bangladesh won by three runs and thus kept their hopes alive by a whisker. In fact, Afghanistan had lost their previous match against Pakistan by the skin of their teeth as Shoaib Malik made the most of his experience.

This time it was Mustafizur Rahman who evaded Afghanistan from their win. The Afghan team required eight runs off the final over. In fact, eight runs are expected to be chased down in the modern day era, especially when four wickets still intact in the final over. However, Afghanistan could not crack the code against Fizz as he scalped two wickets and gave away 44 runs in his nine overs.

Bangladesh, Afghanistan
Bangladesh celebrates their wicket. Getty Images

Afghanistan ended on the wrong side of another close contest.

The southpaw pacer put on an exhibition of fine bowling as he made use of the biggest weapon in his armoury – the slower ball variation. Furthermore, Rahman was able to get the crucial wicket of Rashid Khan in his final over.

Early on in the day, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and decided to bat first. The Tigers were able to put a competitive total of 249 runs after their allotted 50 overs. In fact, they had their backs against the wall when they were tottering for 87 for 5.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2018
Mustafizur Rahman was the hero for Bangladesh. (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)

However, Mahmudullah and Imrul Kayes who was returning to the side put together an alliance of 128 runs to steady the ship. The southpaw batsman Kayes scored a fine 72 whereas Mahmudullah scored a fine knock of 79 runs to be adjudged the Player of the match.

On the other hand, Afghanistan lost two early wickets. Nevertheless their opener Mohammad Shahzad scored a fine fifty to keep them in the game. Hashmatullah Shahidi continued with his good form as he scored another fifty. However, Afghanistan could not get over the line despite a couple of scores in the thirties from Mohammad Nabi and Asghar Afghan.

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