Cricket is more than just a game in many parts of the world—it’s a passion, a way of life, and a source of national pride. For countries like Bangladesh and Afghanistan, two rising stars in international cricket, their matches are not just about runs and wickets but about showcasing their growth, resilience, and competitive spirit. The rivalry between the Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard has become one of the most exciting in modern cricket. It’s a story of two underdog nations who’ve fought their way up the ranks, delivering nail-biting contests that keep fans on the edge of their seats.
In this article, we’ll dive into the heart of this rivalry, focusing on their recent encounters, particularly the 2024 T20 World Cup match and the 2024 ODI series in Sharjah. We’ll break down the scorecards, highlight key moments, and share why these matches matter so much to fans of both teams. Whether you’re a cricket newbie or a seasoned fan, this piece is written to be easy to follow, engaging, and packed with insights.
The Rise of Two Cricketing Nations
Before we jump into the Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, let’s take a moment to appreciate the journey of these two teams. Bangladesh, often called the Tigers, earned Test status in 2000 and have steadily climbed the ranks. They’ve beaten giants like Australia, England, and New Zealand, especially at home, where their spinners and passionate crowds make them a tough challenge. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is a newer player on the global stage. Granted ODI status in 2009 and Test status in 2017, they’ve quickly made a name for themselves with their fiery spinners like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, and their fearless approach to the game.
When these two teams meet, it’s not just a match—it’s a celebration of how far they’ve come. Their first official clash was in 2014 during the Asia Cup, where Afghanistan stunned Bangladesh with a 32-run victory. Since then, their rivalry has grown, with both teams trading wins and delivering unforgettable moments. Let’s look at some of their recent battles to understand why this matchup is so special.
The 2024 T20 World Cup Clash: A Super Eight Thriller
One of the most memorable recent encounters between Bangladesh and Afghanistan was during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, held on June 24, 2024, at Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This Super Eight Group 1 match was a high-stakes affair, with Afghanistan needing a win to secure a historic semi-final spot. Let’s break down the scorecard and relive the drama.
Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, T20 World Cup 2024
|
Team |
Score |
Overs |
Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan |
115/5 | 20.0 |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (43 off 55), Rashid Khan (19* off 10), Karim Janat (7* off 6) |
|
Bangladesh |
105/10 | 17.5 |
Litton Das (54* off 49), Towhid Hridoy (14 off 9), Soumya Sarkar (10 off 10) |
|
Bowling (Afghanistan) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Naveen-ul-Haq |
4.0 | 0 | 26 | 4 |
4/26, including key wickets |
|
Rashid Khan |
4.0 | 0 | 23 | 4 |
4/23, including Mahmudullah |
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
2.0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 1/15 |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
3.0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0/15 |
|
Bowling (Bangladesh) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rishad Hossain |
4.0 | 0 | 26 | 3 |
3/26, dismissed Gurbaz |
|
Mustafizur Rahman |
4.0 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
1/19, got Omarzai |
|
Taskin Ahmed |
4.0 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
1/22, removed Nabi |
|
Tanzim Hasan Sakib |
4.0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0/36 |
Match Summary: Afghanistan won by 8 runs (DLS Method, revised target 114 in 19 overs for Bangladesh due to rain).
How the Match Unfolded
Afghanistan batted first after winning the toss, but their innings got off to a slow start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz anchored with a gritty 43 off 55 balls, but Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Rishad Hossain’s 3/26, kept things tight. Wickets fell regularly—Ibrahim Zadran (18), Azmatullah Omarzai (10), and Gulbadin Naib (4) couldn’t convert starts. It was Rashid Khan’s explosive 19 not out, including three sixes, that pushed Afghanistan to 115/5 in 20 overs.
Bangladesh’s chase was disrupted early by rain, reducing their target to 114 in 19 overs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan were the stars with the ball, each taking four wickets. Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan (0) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (5) early, and despite Litton Das’s unbeaten 54, they couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. A dramatic collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for just 25 runs, finishing at 105/10. Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding sealed a historic victory, sending them to their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final.
This match was a testament to Afghanistan’s ability to punch above their weight. Their spinners, especially Rashid, turned the game, while Bangladesh struggled to adapt to the pressure of a revised target. It was a heartbreaker for Bangladesh fans but a moment of pride for Afghanistan.
The 2024 ODI Series in Sharjah: A Battle of Grit
The three-match ODI series in Sharjah in November 2024 was another chapter in this growing rivalry. Afghanistan hosted Bangladesh in the UAE, and the series showcased both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. Let’s look at the scorecards for each match and the key moments.
1st ODI: November 6, 2024
|
Team |
Score |
Overs |
Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan |
235/10 | 49.4 |
Mohammad Nabi (84 off 79), Hashmatullah Shahidi (52 off 86), Nangeyalia Kharote (13* off 20) |
|
Bangladesh |
143/10 | 34.5 |
Najmul Hossain Shanto (47 off 58), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (28 off 50), Towhid Hridoy (11 off 19) |
|
Bowling (Afghanistan) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AM Ghazanfar |
8.5 | 1 | 26 | 6 |
6/26, career-best figures |
|
Rashid Khan |
8.0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
1/24, got Shanto |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
6.0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 1/23 |
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
6.0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0/30 |
|
Bowling (Bangladesh) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Taskin Ahmed |
10.0 | 1 | 45 | 3 |
3/45, early breakthroughs |
|
Mustafizur Rahman |
10.0 | 0 | 37 | 2 |
2/37, dismissed Nabi |
|
Shoriful Islam |
9.4 | 0 | 50 | 2 | 2/50 |
|
Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
10.0 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 1/37 |
Match Summary: Afghanistan won by 92 runs.
Key Moments: Afghanistan were in trouble at 71/5, but Nabi’s 84 and Shahidi’s 52 steadied the ship. AM Ghazanfar’s sensational 6/26, including a stunning stumping of Mushfiqur Rahim, triggered a Bangladesh collapse from 120/2 to 143 all out. This win set the tone for Afghanistan’s dominance in the series.
2nd ODI: November 9, 2024
|
Team |
Score |
Overs |
Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bangladesh |
252/7 | 50.0 |
Najmul Hossain Shanto (76 off 119), Jaker Ali (37* off 27), Soumya Sarkar (33 off 45) |
|
Afghanistan |
184/10 | 43.4 |
Rahmat Shah (52 off 83), Gulbadin Naib (26 off 25), Mohammad Nabi (16 off 19) |
|
Bowling (Bangladesh) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nasum Ahmed |
8.4 | 0 | 28 | 3 |
3/28, key breakthroughs |
|
Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
10.0 | 0 | 37 | 2 |
2/37, dismissed Nabi |
|
Shoriful Islam |
8.0 | 0 | 45 | 1 | 1/45 |
|
Mustafizur Rahman |
8.0 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 1/37 |
|
Bowling (Afghanistan) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nangeyalia Kharote |
10.0 | 0 | 28 | 3 |
3/28, removed Shanto |
|
Rashid Khan |
10.0 | 0 | 36 | 1 |
1/36, got Mehidy |
|
AM Ghazanfar |
10.0 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 1/34 |
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
8.0 | 0 | 48 | 1 | 1/48 |
Match Summary: Bangladesh won by 68 runs.
Key Moments: Shanto’s steady 76 and Jaker Ali’s late flourish took Bangladesh to 252/7. Afghanistan’s chase started well with Rahmat Shah’s 52, but Nasum Ahmed’s 3/28 and brilliant fielding, including a stunning catch by Soumya Sarkar, sparked a collapse. Afghanistan lost their last six wickets for 21 runs, leveling the series 1-1.
3rd ODI: November 11, 2024
|
Team |
Score |
Overs |
Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bangladesh |
244/8 | 50.0 |
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (53 off 67), Mahmudullah (47 off 68), Najmul Hossain Shanto (25 off 37) |
|
Afghanistan |
245/5 | 47.3 |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (100 off 117), Azmatullah Omarzai (64 off 76), Mohammad Nabi (33* off 26) |
|
Bowling (Afghanistan) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
10.0 | 0 | 44 | 2 |
2/44, early wickets |
|
AM Ghazanfar |
10.0 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 2/38 |
|
Rashid Khan |
10.0 | 0 | 47 | 1 | 1/47 |
|
Nangeyalia Kharote |
10.0 | 0 | 45 | 1 | 1/45 |
|
Bowling (Bangladesh) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nahid Rana |
10.0 | 0 | 40 | 2 |
2/40, debutant star |
|
Mustafizur Rahman |
9.3 | 0 | 50 | 2 |
2/50, key wickets |
|
Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
10.0 | 0 | 56 | 1 | 1/56 |
|
Shoriful Islam |
8.0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 0/54 |
Match Summary: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets.
Key Moments: Bangladesh posted 244/8, thanks to Mehidy’s 53 and Mahmudullah’s 47. Afghanistan’s chase was powered by Gurbaz’s 100 and a 100-run stand between Omarzai (64) and Nabi (33*). Despite Nahid Rana’s impressive debut (2/40), Afghanistan chased down the target with 15 balls to spare, clinching the series 2-1.
Why This Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry Matters
The Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard rivalry is special because it’s about more than just cricket. Both teams represent nations that have faced challenges, and their success on the field inspires millions. Afghanistan’s rise, despite limited resources and political turmoil, is a story of resilience. Bangladesh’s journey from minnows to a competitive force shows their determination to compete with the best.
Their matches are often close, with both teams relying heavily on spin bowling and aggressive batting. Players like Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan are not just stars but national heroes. The 2024 T20 World Cup match showed Afghanistan’s ability to handle pressure, while the ODI series highlighted both teams’ ability to bounce back.
Key Players to Watch
-
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): The leg-spinning maestro is a game-changer with bat and ball. His 4/23 in the T20 World Cup match was pivotal.
-
Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan): The veteran all-rounder’s experience, like his 84 in the 1st ODI, often rescues Afghanistan.
-
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh): The captain’s steady batting, like his 76 in the 2nd ODI, is crucial for Bangladesh.
-
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh): An all-round star, his contributions with bat and ball are vital.
-
AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan): The young spinner’s 6/26 in the 1st ODI marked him as a future star.
Looking Ahead
The Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard rivalry is only getting stronger. With both teams set to compete in the 2025 Champions Trophy, fans can expect more thrilling encounters. Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack thrives in subcontinental conditions, while Bangladesh’s balanced squad makes them dangerous on any day. Their next meeting, scheduled for September 16, 2025, in a bilateral series, promises more fireworks.
