<p class="title">Mustafizur Rahman held his nerve to bowl a fantastic final over as Bangladesh eked out a three-run win over a gutsy Afghanistan to stay afloat in the race for the Asia Cup final.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Afghanistan yet again came close to a victory against a top-Asian team but faltered at the finish line, losing plot in the last 10 overs of the chase during Sunday's match.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They needed eight runs off the final over but experienced paceman Mustafizur conceded only four and also dismissed the dangerous Rashid Khan (5).</p>.<p class="bodytext">Afghanistan looked well in control with Hashmatullah (71) and captain Asghar Afghan (39) going very strong after losing three wickets.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They stitched a 78-run partnership for the fourth wicker but Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza dismissed both to puncture Afghanistan hopes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mohammad Nabi (38) and Samiullah Shenwari (23 not out) produced a quick-fire 46-run stand for the sixth wicket but that was not enough as they ended with 246 for seven, while chasing 250.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahmudullah (74) made it memorable match for himself. After batting well at crucial juncture, he dismissed Afghanistan opener Mohammad Shahzad (53) and also took a catch of the rival skipper.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bangladesh now need to beat Pakistan on Wednesday to qualify for the summit clash.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Afghanistan bowlers could not capitalise on a dominant start and allowed Bangladesh to score a competitive 249 for seven with Mahmudullah and Imrul Kayes repairing the innings with fighting half-centuries.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahmudullah and Kayes (72 not out), playing his first ODI in almost a year, shared a 128-run stand for the fifth wicket to lift their side from a precarious 87 for five after electing to bat.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahmudullah played aggressive after completing his 20th ODI half-century, twice lofting star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan over the ropes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rashid was well handled by the two batsmen. He could get only one wicket and gave away 46 runs in his 10 overs. It was key in Bangladesh's revival.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahmudullah's knock came off 81 balls with three fours and two sixes while left-hander Kayes consumed 89 balls for his calculative unbeaten knock, which had six shots to the fence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The partnership broke towards the end of the innings when pacer Aftab Alam had Mahmudullah caught by Rashid.</p>.<p class="bodytext">At the top, only Liton Das could make his presence felt with a 41-run innings whiler Mushfiqur Rahim (33) frittered away a good start by running himself out.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The trio of Aftab Alam, Mujeeb ur Rahamn and Gulbadin Naib had succeeded in straight-jacketing Bangladesh batsmen, keeping them under a tight leash with disciplined line and length.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Alam got the better of Nazmul Hossain (6) while Mohammad Mithun (1) was done in by Mujeeb.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After the top-order was removed, run outs of Shakib ul Hasan (0) and Rahim only added to their woes. </p>
<p class="title">Mustafizur Rahman held his nerve to bowl a fantastic final over as Bangladesh eked out a three-run win over a gutsy Afghanistan to stay afloat in the race for the Asia Cup final.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Afghanistan yet again came close to a victory against a top-Asian team but faltered at the finish line, losing plot in the last 10 overs of the chase during Sunday's match.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They needed eight runs off the final over but experienced paceman Mustafizur conceded only four and also dismissed the dangerous Rashid Khan (5).</p>.<p class="bodytext">Afghanistan looked well in control with Hashmatullah (71) and captain Asghar Afghan (39) going very strong after losing three wickets.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They stitched a 78-run partnership for the fourth wicker but Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza dismissed both to puncture Afghanistan hopes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mohammad Nabi (38) and Samiullah Shenwari (23 not out) produced a quick-fire 46-run stand for the sixth wicket but that was not enough as they ended with 246 for seven, while chasing 250.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahmudullah (74) made it memorable match for himself. After batting well at crucial juncture, he dismissed Afghanistan opener Mohammad Shahzad (53) and also took a catch of the rival skipper.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bangladesh now need to beat Pakistan on Wednesday to qualify for the summit clash.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Afghanistan bowlers could not capitalise on a dominant start and allowed Bangladesh to score a competitive 249 for seven with Mahmudullah and Imrul Kayes repairing the innings with fighting half-centuries.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahmudullah and Kayes (72 not out), playing his first ODI in almost a year, shared a 128-run stand for the fifth wicket to lift their side from a precarious 87 for five after electing to bat.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahmudullah played aggressive after completing his 20th ODI half-century, twice lofting star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan over the ropes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rashid was well handled by the two batsmen. He could get only one wicket and gave away 46 runs in his 10 overs. It was key in Bangladesh's revival.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahmudullah's knock came off 81 balls with three fours and two sixes while left-hander Kayes consumed 89 balls for his calculative unbeaten knock, which had six shots to the fence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The partnership broke towards the end of the innings when pacer Aftab Alam had Mahmudullah caught by Rashid.</p>.<p class="bodytext">At the top, only Liton Das could make his presence felt with a 41-run innings whiler Mushfiqur Rahim (33) frittered away a good start by running himself out.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The trio of Aftab Alam, Mujeeb ur Rahamn and Gulbadin Naib had succeeded in straight-jacketing Bangladesh batsmen, keeping them under a tight leash with disciplined line and length.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Alam got the better of Nazmul Hossain (6) while Mohammad Mithun (1) was done in by Mujeeb.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After the top-order was removed, run outs of Shakib ul Hasan (0) and Rahim only added to their woes. </p>