Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, BAN vs AFG, Today Match Prediction

ban vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the 1st game of the three-match ODI series as hosts Bangladesh take on Afghanistan at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Both sides would be eager for a win here as their players play this format of the game after lots of T20 cricket. Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe in the last ODI series and Afghanistan also comes here with a series win against the Netherlands. 

Bangladesh has enjoyed a good record at home over the last five years and haven’t lost a home series. Their players have played lots of cricket at this venue in recent weeks and they would have good knowledge of the conditions. It will be interesting to see if Afghanistan can deliver a major blow to Bangladesh and take an early lead in the series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Bangladesh Preview

Bangladesh has held its home fort well. The side hasn’t lost a series at home since the 2016/17 series against England which incidentally is their only series loss at home in almost seven years. Tamim Iqbal would like his side to take inspiration from this record. However, Afghanistan is known for punching above its weight and Iqbal would like to see his players deliver the best in this game and take an early lead in the series. 

Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das form a strong opening pair and they would like to set up a good opening wicket stand in this game. The side has a power-packed middle order with Shabib Al Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mushfiqur Rahim and the trio would look to build partnerships in this game. Afif Hossain and Mahmudullah’s hitting abilities add to the side’s strength down the order. 

Mustafizur Rahman will have to play an important role in this game as he shares the new ball with Taskin Ahmed in this game. Mehidy Hasan and Shakib bring lots of experience to the attack and they would aim to bowl tight spells in the middle overs of the game. Shoriful Islam and Mahmudullah add to the side’s strengths with the ball going into this contest.

Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:

Tamim Iqbal (c), Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Afif Hossain

Bangladesh Actual Playing XI:

Mahmudullah, Shoriful Islam, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Yasir Ali Choudhary, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Afif Hossain

Afghanistan Preview

Hashmatullah Shahidi has a big challenge on his hands. Apart from the recent series wins against Netherlands and Scotland, the side hasn’t had much to cheer in this format of the game. They are up against a side that is tough to beat at home. They have never won a series on Bangladeshi soil in the past and Shahidi shall aim to change it here. 

The side would expect a good start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zardan in this game. Their middle order is experienced with Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Najibullah Zadran in the side. They bat deep and runs would be expected from Mohammad Nabi, Gulbbadin Naib and Rashid Khan in this game as their opponents have a strong bowling attack. 

They have a good bowling attack and the onus would be on the bowlers to do well. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Yamin Ahmadzai must deliver quick wickets to put the Bangladeshis under pressure. Rashid Khan, Nabi, and Naib are experienced bowlers and the side would expect good spells from them. Fareed Ahmad Malik will need to do well in the supporting role.

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ibrahim Zardan, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Yamin Ahmadzai

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Hashmatullah Shahidi, Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Chattogram would be clear on February 23 and we are likely to see a high-scoring game. Batsmen do well on this surface as the ball comes onto the bat nicely. Bowlers have struggled here in the past and the side batting first would need more than 300 runs on the board to feel confident.

Venue Details

Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram is a good venue for ODI cricket.  Fast bowlers have to use their variations to do well at this venue. Batsmen enjoy batting here as the fast outfield offers them plenty of scoring opportunities. Spinners have enjoyed a good record here in the past as they generate turn from the surface.

Toss: To Bowl

In the last five games, the side chasing the score has won four of them. The batting conditions are challenging at the start of the game and they improve as the game progresses. The side winning the toss in the game would look to take advantage of the conditions by bowling first.