AFG vs BAN: 2nd T20I, Preview- Bangladesh’s chance of redemption in must win encounter

Bangladesh is a more side experienced than Afghanistan in international cricket, however, they went into the last match as the underdogs. The opening match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun wasn’t a nail-biter, but the crowd was treated to an absolute delight courtesy of the likes of Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shenwari, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Shafiqullah Shafaq who carved a stupendous win for the hosts.

Shakib Al Hasan’s men were crippled when Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out of the squad owing to a toe injury he sustained during the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing the Mumbai Indians (MI). The lack of bite in the bowling was visible as Shafiq & Co. made a mockery of them in the death overs. Rashid and Mujeeb backed the solid batting show with their exhibition of wily spin bowling.

The pitch assisted the spinners last time around and it’s not going to differ, bearing in mind the strength of the Asghar Stanikzai-led team. The encounter tomorrow is also do-or-die for the visitors. However, outplaying the Afghans won’t be a cakewalk by any means. Bearing in mind the slow nature of the wicket, the team winning the toss is likely to bat first and unleash their spinners in the second half.

Team Combination

Afghanistan

The Afghans won’t want to tinker with their winning combination and will remain unchanged. Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani are the openers followed by skipper Asghar Stanikzai. Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran, after faltering in the last match, will want to make amends with the willow. Shafiqullah’s impetus, towards the end, may again be needed.

Rashid Khan’s power-hitting abilities can’t be undermined either. A lot will rest on Mujeeb and Rashid’s shoulders if the hosts are to bag the series with one match remaining. Moreover, Nabi and Karim Janat will be required to be on top of their game. Shapoor Zadran might have leaked a few runs, but jolted Bangladesh with frequent scalps. Samiullah Shenwari’s part-time leg-breaks may also be required.

Predicted XI

Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Usman Ghani, Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Shapoor Zadran

Bangladesh

Bangladesh may bring forth a couple of changes in the eleven. In the batting department, Soumya Sarkar may be drafted in place of Mosaddek Hossain who couldn’t quite perform in the last match. Tamim Iqbal, being one of their seasoned campaigners, needs to find form at the earliest. Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Shakib are the other stalwarts in the lineup.

Liton Das’ unflinching batting inside the field restrictions can’t be taken likely by any stretch of the imagination. In the bowling department, left-arm seamer Abu Hider Rony will be roped in for Abul Hasan who was taken to the cleaners by Shafiq in the final phase of Afghanistan’s innings. Nazmul Hossain and Shakib’s role with the ball will also be important on the spin-friendly strip

Predicted XI

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

Players to watch out for

Mohammad Shahzad- Afghanistan

Shahzad is their most destructive batsman in the lineup and is a fulcrum of their batting. He looked settled and scored some useful runs in the previous match. However, he couldn’t find the boundaries frequently and wasn’t at his fluent best. The wicketkeeper-batsman will be keen to come to his own and take his team off to a blistering start

Tamim Iqbal- Bangladesh

Tamim perished for a golden duck last time around and floundered in the run-chase. He couldn’t read Mujeeb and was trapped plumb in front of the stumps. He has been a prolific run-getter for his nation and his form will be of utmost importance if Bangladesh are to make a comeback and turn over the hosts in Dehradun.

Head to Head

Played- 2, Afghanistan- 1, Bangladesh- 1

Stat Attack

43 – Rashid Khan is the leading wicket-taker in the Twenty20 format in 2018 with 43 wickets in 29 matches. He was the leading T20 wicket-taker in 2017 as well with 80 wickets in 56 games.

499 – Shakib Al Hasan needs one more wicket 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)

Live Streaming- YouTube

Match Timings: 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT

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