On Saturday, the cricket world will focus on the match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan at Dharamsala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, as part of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Both Bangladesh and Afghanistan are seeking to make a statement in this tournament. Bangladesh, after facing a series of challenges both on and off the field, wants to display that their potential is undiminished. Afghanistan, on the other side, wants to prove they’re more than just T20 wonders, especially after a series of ODI losses.
Recent Matches Recap Bangladesh showed mixed form in the preparatory matches: a confident victory against Sri Lanka was followed by a rain-hit setback against England. A shining beacon for them was Tanzid Hasan, who delivered a strong 84-run performance against Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan, due to weather conditions, managed only one warm-up game where they emerged victorious over Sri Lanka. Their match heroics were led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with an impressive 119, and Rahmat Shah, with a solid 93.
Historical Match-ups Historically, Bangladesh holds a slight edge, having won 9 of their 15 encounters against Afghanistan. Their recent meeting during the Asia Cup saw Bangladesh claiming a dominant 89-run victory, bolstered by performances from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Players in the Limelight Mehidy Hasan Miraz from Bangladesh stands out as a consistent performer amidst team changes. Not only did he excel in the Asia Cup, but he also showcased his prowess in the World Cup warm-up games. His all-around capabilities, both with the bat and the ball, make him a vital asset for the team.
For Afghanistan, even though he’s been facing a rough patch, Rashid Khan remains their most potent weapon. His ODI records are commendable, and his contributions in both batting and bowling sections can’t be overlooked.
Probable Line-ups Bangladesh might field: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan ©, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Afghanistan’s probable lineup includes: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi ©, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashd Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Pitch Report The Dharamsala pitch is known to assist the seamers early on due to its high-altitude location, but as the game progresses, it could become a batting paradise. Spinners might play a crucial role in the middle overs. Winning the toss and batting first could be advantageous, given the dew factor in the evening.
Match Prediction Afghanistan boasts a few star players familiar to the Indian audience. However, the balanced combination and the experienced trio of Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah might give Bangladesh an edge in this game.
