For a country like Afghanistan, which has been ravaged by wars for decades and is treated as an outcast by most of the world, mere participating in a World Cup should be hailed as an achievement.

Afghanistan have realised cricketing history in reaching the final four of the mega event, edging out Bangladesh in one of the most dramatic T20I contests of all time.

“I would say that as a team we have disappointed our fans. We have let down the people who always follow our matches. So, on behalf of my team, I apologise,” Shanto said after the match against Afghanistan.

Bangladesh lost the toss and were sent to bowl first against Afghanistan today in a high-stakes match which will decide who will claim the final spot in the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup today.

Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in their last Super Eight fixture of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup on Tuesday at the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent, hoping to salvage pride following dismal outings against Australia and India respectively which has left their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread.

The Afghans are currently fifth in the 10-team table with wins over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.

"I'm expecting some high scoring on this ground. The combination we will decide tomorrow morning and see the wicket again, because the curator said he'll do a little bit of work today as well on that wicket."

"Shakib [Al Hasan] is 100% fine and ready for the first match,” Shanto said during the toss for their second warm-up match against defending champions England at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati today.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first against Afghanistan in an Asia Cup contest they must win to stay alive. 

A meek surrender against Sri Lanka has Bangladesh pinned back to the wall as they lock horns with Afghanistan in their second and final Asia Cup group fixture at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today.

The Nidahas Trophy, where Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in a tempestuous encounter to move into the final, has been a talking point in South Asian cricket since 2018, and Hathurusingha was the coach of the Lankan team at that time, having just defected from the Bangladesh dugout. But the coach simply brushed aside any notion of any lingering rivalry

The beauty of Test cricket comes from the intense battle between bat and ball, a battle that forms the core of cricket's muse. Without it, Test cricket can have a dreary tone. When it comes to Mirpur wickets, Test matches have always been a drab affair. The carry for pacers is missing. The conditions usually do not allow swing and the grass on the surface lends to a slower surface rather than a seaming one where deliveries zip around

"I think this is the first time we got such a pitch and I think we were fortunate enough to be able to play with three seamers in such conditions. We tried our best to bundle out the opponent cheaply and it feels good to be able to successfully execute our game plan," Ebadot said

"As the vice captain of a side, at times I had to act as the captain and lead the side for two or three overs when [Test skipper] Shakib [Al Hasan] was off the field. So, I was never worried about being the captain," a confident Liton asserted

Fast-bowling duo of Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Nijat Masoud and the young leggie Izharulhaq Naweed have been added to the squad

Hathurusingha has done well since taking up the Bangladesh job in January, winning a T20I series against England at home following a 2-1 loss in the ODI series

“We expect these young cricketers to come in, and suddenly be world-beaters just like that. It is not possible. He (Towhid) has a lot of potential and a desire to learn. He has a high work ethic. I am excited for what he can do,” said Pothas.

Mahmudullah had applied for a vacation from June 22nd till July 5, cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus told the media yesterday. "He will join the camp after Hajj," Jalal informed. Given the circumstances, that possibility remains unlikely

"We have a good idea of how the surface in Mirpur will behave and the wicket will be prepared according to our needs," Bashar added

The Tigers do not have happy memories of hosting Afghanistan in lone Tests. Afghanistan had won by a mammoth 224 runs the maiden Test between the two countries in Chattogram as Bangladesh’s plans backfired.