Bangladesh v Afghanistan, 3rd ODI, Preview: Afghanistan aim for an historic series win

The series honours will on the line tomorrow when hosts Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in the 3rd and the final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur. So far the series has belonged to the Afghans. Their inspiring performances have grabbed a great deal of attention in the first two game.

After being at the receiving end of a narrow loss in the first match, the visitors inflicted a demoralising loss on the hosts to level the series and stay alive. Skipper Stanikzai and spinners completely toppled their opposition. In both the games, Afghanistan dominated Bangladesh for most parts. This is a very motivational fact and there’s no doubt that they will come out with full force at the opposition.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, could not dominate the Afghans in the way they dominated stronger nations like India and South Africa. A crucial England series is approaching straight after the end of this series and they must make sure that they don’t have to deal with a series loss just ahead of it.

Bangladesh:

It will be a pressure game for Bangladesh. They haven’t lost a home series since 2015 and looked almost unbeatable on home soil. However, they are now in a tricky situation where they could end up spoiling their good home record.

Bangladesh will see one change happening with left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain coming for fast bowler Rubel Hossain. The 34-year-old, who played only 3 ODIs, all in 2008, is making a comeback to international cricket after eight years. His inclusion makes Bangladesh bowling attack spin heavy with two other left-arm spinners – Taijul Islam and Shakib Al Hasan already present in the XI.

20-year-old Mosaddek Hossain had a fantastic debut and gave an all-round performance taking 2/30 and scoring 45 with the bat. Though unlikely, but Bangladesh may only think about bringing back Imrul Kayes in place of Soumya Sarkar. He made 37 in the first game before being replaced by Sarkar in the 2nd game who managed 20.

The hosts hold the edge over Afghans, no doubt over the fact. But, will they be able to deliver in the tense match against the inspired Afghans? Given the way the visitors have performed so far, Bangladesh will have to be on the top of their game to defeat the highly inspired Afghans.

Probable XI:

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar/Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Taijul Islam, Mosharraf Hossain, Taskin Ahmed

Afghanistan:

Afghanistan will go in with an unchanged line-up. Opener Nawroz Mangal may have struggled but the visitors are less likely tinker with the opening combination. A typical aggressive start from Mohammad Shahzad will put pressure on the opposition straight away and the Afghan fans will hope for him to play a big knock rather than short cameos at the start.

Skipper Asghar Stanikzai was the hero of the win a couple of days ago. He played a perfect captain’s knock and battled cramps to hit his first fifty in 19 ODI innings and scripted a famous win for his team. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah will have big responsibilities on their shoulders too.

The bowling attack looked improved in the second game. Fast bowler Dawlat Zadran and Naveen ul Haq improved their economy rates. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and Mirwais Ashraf will be the trump cards.

Probable XI:

Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Nawroz Mangal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Stanikzai (C), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Mirwais Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran

Match details:

October 1, Mirpur
Start time 14:30 local (08:30 GMT)
Venue: Shere Bangla Stadium, Mirpur

Stats:

1. Shakib Al Hasan is only the third bowler after Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to take 100 or more wickets at a single venue. Akram and Younis took 122 and 114 wickets each at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium while Shakib has exactly 100 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

2. Afghanistan seems to be specialists in winning by two wickets, having now done it five times in ODIs.

3. If Afghanistan win, it will be their first series win against any team ranked higher than Zimbabwe in ODIs.