AFG vs BAN, 2nd T20I, Match Prediction: Who will win the match, Afghanistan or Bangladesh?

Afghanistan punched above their weight in the first of the three-match T20I series and stunned Bangladesh with a clinical performance. The two teams will face off once again at the same venue as the Shakib Al Hasan led side would look to make amends and level the series. It will not be easy for them though as the eighth-ranked side in the T20 Internationals will be high on confidence. However, a better performance from the visitors is expected and it should not be a surprise if the game goes down the wire.

The batsmen of Bangladesh succumbed to the spin trio of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi in the chase. They will have to figure out a way to put the bowlers under pressure early in their spells. Afghanistan, on the other hand, would be eager to build on the early success in the series but the team will take the Tigers lightly at their own peril.

Pitch and Conditions

Both the sides must have got an idea of the way the pitch will behave for this game. It was on the slower side and the spinners strangled the batsmen with their variations. Expect a similar kind of surface for this encounter and if that is the case, the pitch will become even slower during the course of the contest. As far as the dew is concerned, there was not much on Sunday and no wonder both the sides must have assessed the conditions now.

Playing Combination

Afghanistan

There is no reason for Afghanistan to change the winning combination which worked for them perfectly on Sunday. It is only about executing their plans once again to win the series. Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani started well but the former failed to play in the same vein after the end of the powerplay. Also, the skipper Asghar Stanikzai was guilty of playing so many dot deliveries in the middle overs. The team management would love to see the rotation of the strike during the period which will not put the upcoming batsmen under pressure.

Predicted XI: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Usman Ghani, Asghar Stanikzai (c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Shapoor Zadran

Bangladesh

Bangladesh will be wary of not making many changes to the line-up which lost the first T20I. But their death bowling was ordinary in the game and after controlling the run-scoring for 17 overs, leaked 54 runs in the last 3 overs. Even the top order failed to get going from the word go which led to the middle-order playing rash shots later in the innings. Mosaddek Hossain might make way for Soumya Sarkar as it will make their batting stronger and the left-hander will bat at number 3 much like he did in the Nidahas  Trophy.

Also, either of Abul Hasan or Abu Jayed will make way for Abu Hider Rony whose left-arm pace can trouble the batsmen at the backend of the innings.

Predicted XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Abu Jayed, Nazmul Islam, Abu Hider Rony

Team Comparison

Afghanistan will have to target specific bowlers after the powerplay as they were too slow when the field was spread. The proceedings had almost cost them the game only for the Shenwari and Shafiq to play a crazy cameo in the last 3 overs. The team looks strong enough though and has all the ingredients to thump the opposition at the moment. They will have to stay focused and hunt in a pack to get past Bangladesh who will be better prepared for this game.

Bangladesh gave it away in the last few overs with the ball and failed to get going against the spinners in the chase. They have got only one day to resurrect the issues and will have to come up with different strategies in the must-win game. Their gun players Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim will have to play a vital role even as Tamim Iqbal has to step up to the task in neutralising the spinning trio of the opposition.

Probable Top Performers

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

Head to Head

Matches – 2, Afghanistan – 1, Bangladesh – 1

The timing of the match: 08:00 pm IST

Broadcast Details

TV – Gazi TV (Bangladesh), 1 TV (Afghanistan)

The prediction is for Afghanistan to win the game and seal the series with one match to go.

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