Bangladesh A delivered one of their most commanding performances of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 in Doha, crushing Afghanistan A by eight wickets and keeping their semi-final ambitions very much alive. It was a match defined by discipline with the ball, control in the chase, and a sense of urgency that Afghanistan A simply could not match.
Afghanistan A’s innings never got going. Put under pressure early, their top order folded in clusters, and the middle order offered no stability. Boundaries dried up, strike rotation stalled, and panic set in as Bangladesh A’s bowlers tightened the screws. Ripon Mondol was the standout performer, grabbing three wickets and repeatedly breaking Afghanistan’s attempts to rebuild. Support at the other end ensured that no batter settled for long. The result was a meagre total of just 78 runs in 18.4 overs — a score that reflected both Bangladesh’s accuracy and Afghanistan’s inability to adapt to the conditions.
With such a modest target, Bangladesh A approached the chase with clarity and calmness. They didn’t attempt reckless acceleration; instead, they batted with measured intent. The openers laid a steady platform, picking off singles, waiting for loose balls, and ensuring the run rate never dipped into discomfort. Even after losing two wickets, the chase never felt in doubt. The batters demonstrated awareness of game situation, avoided unnecessary risks and wrapped up the match in 13.3 overs, sealing an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
This win is more than just another group-stage result — it injects real momentum into Bangladesh A’s campaign. With the semi-final race tight, net run rate and margin of victory can be decisive, and Bangladesh A ticked both boxes in style. Their bowling attack looks settled and confident, and the batting unit showed maturity despite chasing a low score. These are the kind of performances that shape tournament runs.
Afghanistan A, meanwhile, have some hard questions to address. Their bowling couldn’t compensate for the batting collapse, and their lack of partnerships continues to haunt them. To stay in contention, they’ll need a far stronger response in the remaining fixtures, particularly from their senior A-team players.
For Bangladesh A, this match reaffirms their position as genuine contenders in the Rising Stars tournament — a team capable of executing plans cleanly, applying pressure consistently, and performing when it truly matters.
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