Shah Faisal Rahimi 83 and Incisive Bowling Lead Afghanistan U19 to 113-Run Rout of Bangladesh

AL AMERAT, Oman — In an emphatic display of grit, technique, and ruthless bowling precision, Afghanistan Under-19 kicked off their ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 113-run thrashing of Bangladesh Under-19 on Thursday at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1). Powered by an ice-cool rescue act from middle-order linchpin Shah Faisal Rahimi (83 off 97 balls) and a relentless three-pronged bowling blitz spearheaded by Amir Hamza (3/23), Noor Ali Niazi (3/29), and Sami Mubarez (3/11), Sohail Khan’s side defended 231 by skittling Bangladesh for a meager 118 in just 25.5 overs.

Having won the toss and elected to bat in bright morning conditions, Afghanistan found themselves trapped in dire straits at 58 for 4 following an incisive burst by Bangladesh pacers Tafiul Alam Tamim and Rubay Islam Rizon. However, Rahimi’s calculated aggression, supported by gritty partnerships through the middle and lower order, transformed the contest before Afghanistan's bowlers blew away Bangladesh's top order with devastating hostility.

Match Summary & Key Metrics

Early Storm: Tamim and Rizon Rock Afghan Top Order

Bangladesh captain Md Farid Hasan Faysal marshaled his bowlers effectively after losing the toss. Right-arm pacer Sheikh Atiqur Rahman (1/56) landed the initial blow in the fourth over when he had dangerous opener Faridullah Ihsas (15 off 13, 3 boundaries) caught behind by the skipper.

Opening bowler Tafiul Alam Tamim (4/41) then hit a testing corridor of seam and bounce, pinning Subhan Zakhail (4) leg-before-wicket. Tamim returned in the 11th over to breach the defenses of opener Abidullah Nadarjan (15 off 28), uprooting his off-stump. When Rubay Islam Rizon (1/49) had wicketkeeper-batter Noman Salarzai (16 off 18) caught behind on the very next delivery, Afghanistan had crashed from 38/1 to 58/4 in the space of four overs, handing Bangladesh total control of the contest.

The Rescue: Shah Faisal Rahimi's Masterful 83

Arriving at the crease under extreme pressure, Shah Faisal Rahimi delivered one of the most mature, counter-punching innings witnessed in youth international cricket this year. Unfazed by the flurry of wickets, Rahimi rotated the strike diligently against the spinners while punishing anything over-pitched through the off-side cordon.

Rahimi found an assertive ally in Tahir Sarwary (37 off 43 balls), who launched four crisp boundaries and two booming sixes over cow corner. Together, the duo forged a momentum-shifting 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket in just 72 deliveries. Although Sarwary eventually perished trying to deposit Robiul Hasan Anik over the long-on boundary, the Afghan recovery was firmly underway at 117/5.

Captain Sohail Khan (17 off 36) then dug in alongside Rahimi, constructing a patient 42-run sixth-wicket stand that carried Afghanistan past the 150-mark. After Sohail fell to Anik, Amir Hamza injected late-innings firepower, smashing a quickfire 16 off 14 balls featuring a towering maximum in a rapid 37-run stand with Rahimi.

Rahimi brought up his half-century off 68 balls before stepping on the accelerator, piercing the infield with eight sublime boundaries and clearing deep mid-wicket for a massive six. By the time Tamim returned to finally bowl Rahimi for an outstanding 83 off 97 balls in the 47th over, Afghanistan had climbed to 220/8. Tailender Sami Mubarez’s unbeaten 10 helped push the final tally to 231 all out in 49 overs.

"When you lose four wickets inside 12 overs, the natural instinct is to shut shop. But Faisal showed incredible character. He paced his innings to perfection, targeted the right bowlers, and gave our bowlers a target they could attack with real aggression."

— Sohail Khan, Afghanistan U19 Captain

Demolition Under Lights: Niazi and Hamza Run Riot

Defending 231 on a surface offering decent pace and carry, Afghanistan’s new-ball pair unleashed absolute havoc on Bangladesh’s top order.

Right-arm speedster Amir Hamza set the tone in the second over, beating opener Abdullah Al Muhi (6) with late in-duck to trap him plumb in front of middle stump. Seamer Noor Ali Niazi then produced a double-strike masterclass in the fifth over: he trapped Alamin Hossain Rony (6) lbw before extracting sharp away-movement on the very next ball to coax an outside edge from Ahsan Al Mumin (0), smartly pouched by keeper Noman Salarzai.

Shell-shocked at 20/3, Bangladesh’s troubles compounded when Hamza delivered an unplayable, off-stump trimming yorker to rattle captain Farid Hasan Faysal (1) in the eighth over, followed immediately by trapping All Rafi (0) lbw with another searing delivery. When Niazi dismissed Rakibul Hossan (7) in the 11th over, Bangladesh were utterly dismantled at 41 for 6, facing the ignominy of a record low total.

Brief Resistance Before Sami Mubarez Wraps Up the Rout

Opener SK Jarif Siyam waged a solitary rearguard battle, refusing to surrender amidst the carnage. Joined by all-rounder Robiul Hasan Anik, the pair exhibited admirable resolve, adding 55 resilient runs for the seventh wicket to briefly delay the inevitable.

Anik struck four boundaries and a maximum in his 47-ball 33 before slow left-arm spinner Sami Mubarez (3/11) ripped through his defenses in the 22nd over. One over later, Afghan skipper Sohail Khan (1/34) trapped Siyam lbw for an arduous 41 off 58 balls (6 boundaries), ending any lingering Bangladesh hopes at 98/8.

Mubarez then wasted no time polishing off the tail. He trapped Sheikh Atiqur Rahman (0) leg-before on the very next ball and cleaned up Rubay Islam Rizon (21 off 14 balls) in the 26th over to bowl Bangladesh out for 118, triggering wild celebrations among the Afghan contingent.

Full Innings Scorecards

Afghanistan Under-19 Innings — 231 All Out (49.0 Overs)

Bangladesh Under-19 Bowling

Bangladesh Under-19 Innings — 118 All Out (25.5 Overs)

Afghanistan Under-19 Bowling

Post-Match Reactions

"Our bowlers bowled exceptional channels in the first 10 overs, but we let them off the hook when Faisal and Sarwary countered. Then with the bat, losing five wickets inside the first eight overs completely killed the run chase. It is a harsh wake-up call, but we must regroup immediately for our next group fixture."

— Md Farid Hasan Faysal, Bangladesh U19 Captain

"I just wanted to stay out there and build partnerships. The ball was gripping and stopping a bit, so patience was essential. Once I got settled, I could hit through the line. Credit goes to our fast bowlers and Sami for executing our plans flawlessly with the ball."

— Shah Faisal Rahimi, Player of the Match

Group B Outlook

The crushing 113-run triumph earns Afghanistan an enormous net run rate boost of +2.260, putting them neck-and-neck with Sri Lanka U19 (who crushed Malaysia by nine wickets earlier on Thursday) at the summit of Group B. Bangladesh U19, meanwhile, face an uphill battle with a net run rate deficit of -2.260 and will desperately need a comprehensive turnaround against Sri Lanka to keep their semifinal aspirations alive.