Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, T20I Tri-Series Match 6, Chattogram: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Afghanistan’s flawless record in the T20 tri-series in Bangladesh has been broken rather unexpectedly, and that’s made the rest of the series that much more interesting. All this while, Afghanistan seemed favourites to win the series, given Bangladesh’s apparent inability to beat them, and Zimbabwe’s general lack of form.

However, Zimbabwe have surprised one all with their seven-wicket victory against Afghanistan, in what was Hamilton Masakadza’s farewell. He received a guard of honour, and Afghanistan, surprisingly, were obliging opponents. They were first restricted to 155/3 and then they allowed Zimbabwe to chase down the target with seven wickets and three balls to spare.

Bangladesh, or one, will be delighted with that result. Including the loss in the Tests, Afghanistan had got the better of the hosts in every match of the tour. However, with their slip-up, Bangladesh are now eyeing them more keenly – they themselves had a confidence boosting victory over Zimbabwe in their previous match, including the encouraging sign of seniors like Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim chipping in.

The home side will now back themselves to fight back in this series, starting with the final league game on Saturday, September 21. It may be a dead-rubber for all intents and purposes, it’s the first leg of the final.

Head to head

Over the years, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have clashed in five T20Is. Apart from the first one, which they won in Dhaka, they have lost the remaining four matches, including in Dhaka last Sunday. They have an opportunity to change the record, now.

Key players

Mahmudullah (Bangladesh): The Bangladesh all-rounder has been in decent nick this series, one of the few Bangladesh players to be in such a position. He scored a 39-ball 44 the last time these two sides met, and notched a half-century in the clash against Zimbabwe. He is, at the moment, Bangladesh’s most potent threat.

Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan): What is evident with this Afghanistan side is that they’re reliant on the middle order to keep the innings together. Against Zimbabwe their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a 61, but they still ended up with 155 after their middle order collapsed. The onus will be on Nabi to ensure that doesn’t happen again.

Likely XIs

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Aminul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaiful Islam

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Shafiqullah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Fazal Niazai, Rashid Khan (c), Asghar Afghan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Prediction

Bangladesh to win, and make for an enticing finale.