A clinical performance on Saturday has boosted Afghanistan’s confidence. They are the first team knocking at the Super Four stage’s door. The Bangla Tigers, however, are ones coming into the game as favourites.
The overview
Afghanistan lock horns with Bangladesh in Sharjah in the next Asia Cup 2022 group-stage fixture. Four out of the last five matches have been won by teams batting first. Spinners have had the edge over pacers at this venue, and both sides have a formidable spin-bowling unit. Afghanistan have won five out of five T20Is in Sharjah, whereas Bangladesh have lost both of their matches played at this venue.
After a professional performance in their first game against Sri Lanka, Mohammad Nabi’s side are expected to make no changes to their playing XI. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq shattered the Sri Lankan top order followed by a collective clinical performance from Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, whose bowling spell might not have produced a wicket but delivered 15 dot bolls during the middle overs, adding additional pressure on the Sri Lankan middle order. Afghanistan then started with a strong opening partnership, openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz on Saturday having provided an 83-run contribution within the Powerplay itself.
Afghanistan have started their Asia Cup campaign on a positive note and are a force to reckon with in the early days of the tournament.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, are coming into the tournament off the back of a poor run of form, having lost series against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the West Indies. The primary reason for that is a dip in performances of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. Ordinary bathing performances have added undue pressure on the bowling unit. In the past three T20I series, the Bangla Tigers have scored less than a run-a-bowl in the middle overs. Their top order on average has managed only 42 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the opening six overs. The senior players must take the onus of scoring most of the runs in order to challenge the opponents. They have the experience and the quality to test Afghanistan’s naive middle order.
Match details
Match: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh | Match 3, Asia Cup 2022
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Date: 30 August 2022
Time: 07:30 PM IST
Where to watch: Star Sports Network | Disney+ Hotstar
Pitch report & Toss
The slow and sluggish nature of the wicket will offer encouragement to the spinners. 165 looks to be a par score. Batters will need to negotiate the new ball and build partnerships. The Powerplay will prove to be decisive. The side winning the toss will most likely opt to bat first.
Probable playing XIs
Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi (c), Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Bangladesh: Naim Sheikh, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed
Head-to-head
Matches Played: 8
Won by Afghanistan: 5
Won by Bangladesh: 3
Clean hitters
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim
Death-over bowlers
Afghanistan: Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Bangladesh: Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed
Fantasy team
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Najibullah Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Nabi, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Captain & Vice-captain choices
Captain: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi,
Vice-captain: Shakib Al Hasan, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Prediction
It’s the battle of spinners, hoping dew does not play the spoilsport. Afghanistan are packed with utility players. It will be a high-scoring match; Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai look in prime form. A good start top of the order will set the pace.
I am backing Afghanistan to win the game and become the first team to qualify for the Super Four stage.
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