Online Desk: Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nazmul Hasan Shanto made hundreds as Bangladesh are on the verge of a big total in the must-win game against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday. Both batsmen crossed their individual hundred marks helping the team to manage 259 runs losing just two wickets in 43rd overs. Miraz retired hurt on 112 for sustaining pain in his finger while Shanto remains unbeaten on 102 runs.

Earlier on batting first, Bangladesh made a flying start with the opening pair of Mohammad Naim and Mehedi Hasan Miraz. They scored 60 runs in the Mandatory Powerplay. After that, they lost two quick wickets of Mohammad Naim and Towhid Hridoy. Naim ended on 28 runs while Hridoy departed with a duck. For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Gulbadin Naib picked up one wicket each.

Bangladesh made three changes in this match where Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain and Hasan Mahmud came in for Tanzid Hasan, Mahedi Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. Shamim Hossain Made his debut in this format of cricket. The equation of qualifying for the Super Four has become complicated for Bangladesh after being defeated to Sri Lanka by five wickets in their first match in the Asia Cup.

Two teams from each group will go on the Super Four stage. For instance, Bangladesh will have to win the next match against Afghanistan. In addition, they may go beyond some equations too. Bangladesh have no option apart from victory to survive in this tournament. In the meantime, they have to keep the calculation of net run rate (NRR) in their mind along with winning against Afghanistan. Bangladesh’s run rate has dropped to -0.951 after losing against Sri Lanka by five wickets with 11 overs in hand due to batting failure. To overcome the run rate hurdle, the Tigers have to win by a big margin.

However, this run rate will not be required if Afghanistan lose both of their matches. But if they manage to win against Sri Lanka even after losing against Bangladesh, the run rate will be counted then as all three teams will obtain equal two points. In contrast, Bangladesh will be ruled out of the tournament without any equation if they lose against Afghanistan. As a result, the Tigers will enter the ground of Lahore in a “do or die” match.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.