AFG vs BAN, 1st T20I, Preview: Afghanistan start favourite against Shakib's men

Afghanistan and Bangladesh will face-off in the first of the three-match T20I series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun on Sunday. It will become the 51st venue in India to host a game at the highest level when the two teams will step out on the field. Asghar Stanikzai led side will play the hosts to Bangladesh who must be still hurting from the loss of Nidahas Trophy final at the hands of India. However, it will be an exciting series and expect the crowd to take note of the action in the middle.

Afghanistan won their previous series against Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates in February and would be looking to build on the same. Apart from Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, none of them has played any significant amount of cricket and will be itching to get going. There might be a sense of rustiness in their play but they will have to hit the straps soon against a full-fledged Bangladeshi side who will be raring to go as well.

Bangladesh played their last game in March against India which was the Nidahas Trophy final and the team must not have forgotten the way Dinesh Karthik stole the game from them in just an 8-ball cameo. But they will be upbeat about this series after a much-needed break. It was only their skipper Shakib Al Hasan who was plying his trade in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). He has to lead from the front for his team and continue contributing as an all-rounder.

Playing Combination

Afghanistan

Karim Sadiq is not in the squad who opened the innings against Zimbabwe and Usman Ghani will replace him at the top of the order. The skipper Asghar Stanikzai and Mohammad Nabi will follow even as the onus will be on Najibullah Zadran and Shafiqullah Shafaq to finish the innings on a strong note. The bowling attack will heavily depend on Rashid and Mujeeb to make inroads during their respective 4-over spells. Shapoor Zadran’s left-arm pace should trouble the opposition along with the medium pace of Gulbadin Naib.

Probable XI: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Usman Ghani, Asghar Stanikzai (c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Shapoor Zadran

Bangladesh

Liton Das should continue to open with Tamim Iqbal followed by either Shakib Al Hasan or Mushfiqur Rahim. Soumya Sarkar is also a good option to bat at 3 and the batting order might change according to the situations. Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman are expected to apply the finishing touches to the innings. In the absence of Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain has to step up and lead the bowling with Abul Hasan expected to make it to the playing XI who was drafted into the squad at the last moment.

Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Abul Hasan, Nazmul Islam

Focus will be on

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Any doubts? No wonder all eyes will be on the leggie who had set the stage on fire in the Indian Premier League. His batting also rose to the occasion and the team will be hoping that the champion continues in the same vein. But his four overs with the ball would probably decide the game. Bangladeshis are good at playing spin but Rashid could prove too good sometimes. His spell will be crucial for them and more so if his team is defending the total.

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

The skipper has to make a mark somehow in all the three departments after being part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. He played all the matches for them and did extremely well which is again expected of him in the national colours. The only concern is the all-rounder is constantly playing ever since he has recovered from his finger injury in March and his workload has to be managed. For now, though he will raring to put the right foot forward and help his side gain the series lead by winning this match.

Head to Head

Played- 1, Afghanistan- 0, Bangladesh- 1

Stat Attack

40 – Rashid Khan is the leading wicket-taker in the Twenty20 format in 2018 with 40 wickets in 28 matches. He was the leading T20 wicket-taker in 2017 as well with 80 wickets in 56 games.

498 – Shakib Al Hasan needs two more wickets to complete 500 wickets in International cricket. He will be the 3rd player after Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi to get 10000 runs and 500 wickets in International cricket.

Broadcast details

TV– 1 TV (Afghanistan), GTV (Bangladesh), DD Sports (India – Yet to finalise)

Match Timings: 20:00 IST

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