Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, BAN vs AFG, Today Match Prediction

ban vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

Bangladesh snatched a win from the jaws of defeat in the 1st ODI of the three-match series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Afghanistan on the other hand shall be heartbroken with the loss they suffered despite having had the Bangladeshis struggling with less than 50 runs on the board for the loss of 6 wickets. 

Bangladesh has enjoyed a good record at this venue winning 12 out of the 15 games they have played. They know the conditions and well and their bowling is well suited for this kind of wickets. It remains to be seen if Afghanistan can come out of the defeat in the last game and level the series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Bangladesh Preview

Tamim Iqbal would be proud of the way his lower middle order did in the last game. From 45 for 6, the side snatched victory from the jaws of defeat winning the game by 4 wickets. Having taken an early lead, Iqbal would like to win the series in two straight games. He would want to see a better show from his top-order that fell like a pack of cards in the last game. 

Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das need to fire at the top after their poor show in the last game. The side would also need good stands in the middle order from Shabib Al Hasan, Yasir Ali, and Mushfiqur Rahim who went out cheaply in the last game. Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan stitched a great partnership to win the game for the side and give the Afghans a bloody nose. They add depth to the batting along with Mahmudullah. 

Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed were brilliant with the new ball and they would aim to repeat the same magic. Shakib and Mehidy Hasan made good use of the conditions and they would look to slow down the scoring in the middle overs. Mahmudullah and Shoriful Islam complete a good bowling attack for the side. 

Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:

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

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 would be extremely upset with the loss. They had grabbed the hosts by the collar and allowed the game to slip away. It was poor captaincy as the side failed to put pressure after the 15th over. Having conceded an early lead to the hosts, Shahidi would want his players to bounce back and expect his batsmen to convert their starts into big scores. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zardan must set up a strong opening wicket stand after their failure in the last game. Shahidi and Rahmat Shah have to score quick runs in the middle order after they failed to rotate the strike in the last game. Najibullah Zardan played a good knock and he will have to add quick runs in the final overs with Mohammad Nabi, Gulbbadin Naib, and Rashid Khan. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled a brilliant spell with the new ball and the side would expect the same from him and Mujeeb ur Rahman. Rashid Khan and Nabi failed to capitalize on Bangladesh’s woes in the last game and there would be more responsibilities on their shoulders. The side would also need Naib and Yamin Ahmadzai to come up with better spells in this game. 

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

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

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Riaz Hassan, Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Chattogram would be clear on February 25. The wicket played slow in the last game and we expect the batting conditions to be challenging in this game as well. The ball is stopping on the batsmen and they will have to play with caution. The side batting first would need 280 runs on the board in this game.

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 have enjoyed a good record here in the past and they need to build their innings together. The wicket offers turn for the spinners and they have enjoyed a good record in the past.

Toss: To Bowl

In the last six games played at this venue, the side chasing the score has won five of them. The batting conditions were challenging in the last game but they improved in the 2nd innings. The side winning the toss here shall look to take advantage of this by opting to bowl.