Bangladesh looking to put behind red-ball woes as they take on Afghanistan in white-ball series
After a stunning series win in Pakistan, Bangladesh had two poor series, first against India and then lost at home to South Africa but the Bengal Tigers will be looking forward to a format switch as they move to the white-ball game from the red-ball. Najmul Hossain Shanto leads Bangladesh in a weird time for the side, who are looking to move beyond their old guards and they will be up against Afghanistan, who on the other hand are settling in with their young talents coming in through the ranks.
Ahead of the first ODI, here’s our match preview and predictions.
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh 1st ODI | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh 2024 | 15:30 IST, November 6
The hosts have Hashmatullah Shahidi leading a well-rounded squad boasting of quite a number of strong players. Afghanistan have Shahidi himself along with Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top of the order along with the likes of a couple of youngsters such as Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli and Abdul Malik. Known for their all-rounders, Rashid Khan will be key for Afghanistan with Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi who will have to step up with the bat and ball. The exciting youngster Nangeyaila Kharote will have all eyes on him as he, Bilal Sami and Fazalhaq Farooqi will lead with the ball.
Bangladesh head into the series with Najmul Hossain Shanto taking the reins as the team transitions into a new era, with some veterans in the final leg of their careers. Shanto has a solid and experienced batting unit, with Soumya Sarkar returning to the national squad along with Tanzid Hasan, the experienced Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim while Mehidy Hasan fills in the role of their main all-rounder as their talisman Shakib Al Hasan has opted out of the series. The bowling lineup will be led by Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed and is a little thin with Nahid Rana certain to have all eyes on him following his recent performances. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed is also in the squad and on slow and turning tracks in the United Arab Emirates, the visitors will count on their spinners to come good.
Both teams come in with squads having a mix of experience and young talents and the conditions in Sharjah should suit both teams and we are going to go with Afghanistan for the first game with the hosts holding the advantage over Bangladesh with the ball.
Fantasy XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Nabi, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mustafizur Rahman
Venue: Sharjah
Winners Prediction: Afghanistan
Leave a Reply