BAN vs AFG Live Score: Bangladesh is all set to lock horns with Afghanistan in the third match of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 on 7th October at 10.30 am on the grounds of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharmashala. Afghanistan won their warmup match against Sri Lanka by 6 wickets to march with confidence into the marquee event. Bangladesh too had a decent start to their World Cup 2023 campaign after winning the first warm-up match against Sri Lanka by 7 wickets. However, they couldn’t face the full-fledged England squad in the second warm-up match & lost the fixture by 4 wickets. Heading into their first match of the World Cup, Bangladesh will hope to get an early edge by outclassing Afghanistan.
Bangladesh suffered a huge setback before the beginning of the warmup fixture as their Captain Shakib-Al-Hasan got injured during the first practice session. However, he will be available for the first match against Afghanistan. Afghanistan recalled Naveen-ul-Haq & Azmatullah Omarzai in the World Cup squad after both missed the Asia Cup 2023.
Both the teams last met during the Asia Cup 2023 where Bangladesh outclassed Afghanistan to win the fixture by 82 runs. The Bangla Tigers will aim to repeat the same heroics in the ODI World Cup 2023 as well. In 15 ODIs so far, Bangladesh has 9 wins over Afghanistan. But in World Cups, both teams share 1 victory each. Whether Bangladesh will outclass Afghanistan is what will be known today on the grounds of Himachal Pradesh.
BAN vs AFG TEAMS PREVIEW
Bangladesh Preview
Bangladesh is facing a challenging season this year, with only 8 wins out of 20 games and a tough loss record, including 7 defeats in the last 10 matches. The absence of Tamim Iqbal will be a significant blow for skipper Shakib al Hasan. Tanzid Hasan is set to open the innings alongside Litton Das, and his recent form in warm-up games, scoring 84 and 45 runs, bodes well for Bangladesh.
Speaking of Litton Das, he has been a consistent performer against Afghanistan, amassing 378 runs in 9 games, including a century and two half-centuries. His partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim has yielded 282 runs in 3 games at an impressive average of 94.
At number three, enter Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who’s been in scintillating form with the bat. Following his century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, Miraz notched up half-centuries in both warm-up games as the stand-in skipper. All eyes will be on Shakib al Hasan, playing his final World Cup match. With 1146 runs and 34 wickets in 29 World Cup games, Shakib is Bangladesh’s all-time leading performer. Against Afghanistan, he boasts 27 wickets in 14 games, making him their leading wicket-taker.
The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Tanzid Hasan’s U19 World Cup-winning partner, Shoriful Islam, and Taskin Ahmed. Islam has been impressive lately, claiming 13 wickets in the last 6 games at an economy rate of 4.18. Taskin, on the other hand, has secured 11 wickets in 5 matches and played a pivotal role in a game against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, taking 7 wickets.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam.
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan has faced its share of struggles this year, with 8 losses in 11 games, including a daunting streak of six defeats in their last six matches. However, a victory over Sri Lanka in the warm-up game may have boosted their confidence. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the explosive opener, will partner with Ibrahim Zadran. Gurbaz showcased his prowess with a blistering 119 off 92 balls against Sri Lanka in the warm-up. The duo remains the only centurions for Afghanistan this year.
Gurbaz has been solid, accumulating 376 runs in 11 games at an average of 34.18, while Zadran has been exceptional, boasting 478 runs at an impressive average of 47.80, the best among all Afghanistan players.
Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran are expected to bat at positions three and four. Shah impressed with a knock of 93 against Sri Lanka, partnering with Gurbaz to add a remarkable 212 runs for the second-wicket partnership. Mohammad Nabi, who will be playing his final World Cup, is also a key figure, having taken 4 wickets in the warm-up game. Nabi has 10 wickets this year in 11 games, with an exemplary economy rate.
Afghanistan’s spin sensation Rashid Khan has endured a challenging period, managing only 9 wickets in the last 8 ODIs. However, Rashid possesses the potential to shine in crucial games. Against Bangladesh, he has already bagged 19 wickets in 12 games at an economy rate of 3.91. Keep an eye on Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has picked up 15 wickets in 11 games this year, albeit with some concerns over his economy rate.
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
BAN vs AFG: Pitch and Weather Conditions
On October 7th, Dharamshala is expected to experience sunny weather with temperatures ranging from 19 to 25 degrees Celsius. The wind is likely to blow from the west at a speed of 9-11 km/h. The pitch at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is renowned for offering assistance to fast bowlers, especially during the early hours of the match.
With a good grass covering and a firm surface, the pitch tends to provide good bounce and carry to the wicketkeeper. Bowlers who can extract movement off the seam and exploit the bounce tend to thrive here. However, as the match progresses, the pitch generally becomes flatter and more favorable for batting.
Venue Details
The clash will take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala. With a capacity of 23,000 spectators, the stadium has hosted 1 Test, 4 ODIs, and 11 T20Is. Notably, in 2014, India recorded their highest total on this ground, 330, against the West Indies. On the flip side, they also posted their lowest total, 112, on the same turf.
Toss: To Bowl or Not to Bowl
In 4 ODIs at this venue, the team chasing the target emerged victorious on 3 occasions. In all three wins, the chasing team secured victory with 6 or more wickets in hand. Thus, the team winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first.
Match Prediction
This match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan promises to be a riveting contest between two determined teams. Afghanistan, despite their recent struggles, holds the psychological advantage with their previous win against Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh’s in-form top order and potent pacers make them a formidable opponent.
If Bangladesh bats first, expect a high-scoring encounter. All eyes will be on Rashid Khan, who needs to regain his form to provide Afghanistan with a competitive edge. In our prediction, Bangladesh is likely to clinch victory, but in cricket, surprises are always around the corner. This clash is set to be a gripping battle that cricket enthusiasts won’t want to miss!
Prediction: We Predict Bangladesh to win this fixture
Also read, India beats Bangladesh, advances to Asian Games 2023 Final
