Bangladesh T20 Tri-Series 2019 Match 3, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Young Afif Hossain‘s blinder had helped Bangladesh pip Zimbabwe in the tournament opener of the Bangladesh T20 Tri-Series, at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. Afghanistan, too, started with a win over Zimbabwe, by 28 runs. The two winners will now clash for Match 3.

The Bangladesh top order was exposed by Zimbabwe in the first match. Chasing 145 in 18 overs, they were reduced to 29/4, then 60/6, before Afif – with some support from Mosaddek Hossain – saw them through. They were aided by some sloppy ground fielding by Zimbabwe towards the end.

The Afghans will certainly not be as lenient. Led by Rashid Khan, they have one of the most potent attacks, especially under these circumstances. They are unlikely to let any side off the hook once they are on top, as Bangladesh found out to their peril in the Chattogram Test recently.

Having said that, it is unlikely that both Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan will fail twice in a row. The top order might have let them down,

Afghanistan, too, did not get off to a flying start. At 90/4 in 13.2 overs they were in some trouble, but Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi then added an absurd 107 in 40 balls to change the course of the match.

Their spin troika – Rashid, Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman – looked well-oiled, as did their seam support. All in all, they are set to go.

Head to head

Bangladesh had won the first encounter between the sides, in the 2014 Asia Cup at Mirpur. However, Afghanistan clean swept the 3-match series at Dehradun in 2018. As of now, things stand at 1-1.

Key players

Afif Hossain (Bangladesh): Young Afif impressed all and sundry with his deft adjustment, fearless strokeplay, and exceptional understanding of field placement while batting. Having made the difference against Zimbabwe, he will definitely demand a promotion in the batting order.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): Debutant Gurbaz was as aggressive on debut as Afif, evoking memories of Mohammad Shahzad, the man he replaced at the top in the first place. He also kept wickets efficiently.

Likely XIs

Bangladesh: Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Najeeb Tarakai, Asghar Afghan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Fareed Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Prediction

Afghanistan to win.