WATCH: Azmatullah Omarzai smashes 20 runs in an over in BAN vs AFG match in Asia Cup 2025

The key Group B match of the Asia Cup 2025, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, was a thriller, where Bangladesh stayed alive in the tournament after securing a crucial eight-run win. While the Afghan batting line-up was struggling from the very first ball of the second innings, there was a game-changing moment for the Afghans when Azmatullah Omarzai smashed 20 runs in an over.

It was the 14th over of the second innings, when Afghanistan were struggling at 77/5, and they still needed 78 runs in 42 balls while chasing a 155-run target. As Bangladesh went with four front-line bowlers, they needed to bowl four overs with the part-timers, where the Tigers conceded 55 runs in those four overs.

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Asia Cup 2025 (Group B), BAN vs AFG: Azmatullah Omarzai hit two sixes and one four in an over

While Shamim Hossain conceded 16 runs in an over, Saif Hassan conceded 39 runs in three overs. In the 14th over, while the Afghans were struggling, Azmatullah Omarzai smashed 20 runs to Saif, as the momentum changed. Starting that over with a four after beating the sweeper fielder, the right-handed batter hit a six over long off on the next delivery. While the third ball was a dot, Omarzai smashed a monstrous sixer over midwicket that travelled 93 metres. In the next two balls, Omarzai took back-to-back two runs to complete the over with 20 runs. 

Afghanistan must win against Sri Lanka

However, Afghanistan's brave fight was just short of the target. They were all out for 146 runs in 20 overs, where Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35), Omarzai (30), and captain Rashid Khan (20) had major contributions, but they didn't get enough support. 

All four regular Bangladesh bowlers picked up at least two wickets. While the Player of the Match Nasum Ahmed was exceptional with the bowling figures of 4-1-11-2, Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets (3/28), and Taskin Ahmed (2/34) and Rishad Hossain (2/18) both picked up two wickets each. 

So, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh both have four points, while Afghanistan have two points, and they must beat Sri Lanka to advance to the Super Fours. If Afghanistan fail to beat Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will qualify for the Super Fours along with the Lankans, but if the Afghans manage to beat the Lankans, the Tigers are unlikely to reach the Super Four, except for a giant defeat for Sri Lanka.