Nasum leaves Bangladesh’s Super Four fate to destiny

Bangladesh's Super Four fate in the Asia Cup now rests on the outcome of the Thursday's Sri Lanka-Afghanistan clash, but spinner Nasum Ahmed is not ready to pin hopes on any side. 

Fresh off his match-winning performance against Afghanistan, the left-arm spinner chose to leave Bangladesh's qualification prospects to destiny rather than voice support for Sri Lanka.

On Tuesday night, Bangladesh kept their tournament alive with an eight-run victory over Afghanistan in a nail-biting contest and Nasum produced a brilliant spell of 2 for 11 and was named player of the match.

The following day, the Bangladesh team departed their Abu Dhabi hotel for Dubai, where they must wait to learn whether they advance.

Speaking to the media before departure, Nasum avoided making predictions or showing preference. "Whoever plays well will win. I'm not thinking about these things. Whatever is written in fate, that's what will happen," he said.

The qualification scenario is straightforward: if Sri Lanka win, they and Bangladesh will progress to the Super Four. If Afghanistan win, net run rate will decide the second spot, with Bangladesh needing Sri Lanka to lose by a heavy margin.

But for now, Nasum has pushed such calculations aside. "Specifically supporting someone or praying for someone else, I don't think that's necessary," he added. "Whatever is written in fate, that's what will happen."