Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 1st T20I Match Prediction: Who will win the match between Ban vs AFG?

Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be going into a two-match T20I series after concluding the ODI series last week that the hosts won 2-1. The 50-over series was a low scoring one due to the conditions on offer in Chattogram. Bangladesh scripted a brilliant turnaround in the first match to win the game by four wickets. They then went on to win the second ODI comfortably before Afghanistan ended the series with a consolation win to their name in the final One-Day International.

The T20I series is expected to be closely fought as well. Afghanistan have proved their mettle in this format over the years and possesses the talent to challenge the home side. With the surfaces for the T20I series in Bangladesh expected to assist spin, both teams would be banking on their rich spin bowling depth to win them games.

Bangladesh though could hold an edge over Afghanistan with their experienced batting lineup being acclimatized to the conditions. However, in senior bowler Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan side boasts of a world-class spinner and match-winner who has been at the top of his game for some time now.

Match Details

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan

Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

Date & Time: 3rd March at 2:30 PM IST and 3:00 PM local time

Live Streaming: Fancode

Pitch Report:

The surface in Dhaka has assisted spin significantly in the recent past, owing to its slow nature. Thus, a low scoring encounter could be on the cards with the team winning the toss wanting to have a bat first.

Average score: 159 (Last 5 T20 games)

Record of chasing teams: Won 6 out of the last 10 T20 games.

Probable Playing XIs for BAN VS AFG

Bangladesh:

Litton Das, Munim Shahriar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah (c), Yasir Ali, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Afghanistan:

Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Darwish Rasooli, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Ahmed

BAN vs AFG Head to Head

Overall- 6 ; Bangladesh won- 2 ; Afghanistan won- 4

Probable Top Performers

Probable best batter of the match

Liton Das

Liton Das showed some brilliant form in the One Day Internationals and is expected to continue with his merry way come the T20I series. The Bangladesh opener has several shots in his armory and can be the aggressor upfront. He has shown maturity in the recent past by carrying his bat deep into the innings after getting off to a start. Das on the slow surface in Dhaka could enforce himself on the opposition bowlers by maximizing the first six overs of the powerplay.

Probable best bowler of the match

Mustafizur Rahman

Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman is the perfect bowler for the conditions to be presented in the first T20I. Thus, he could end the match as being the top bowler across the two sides. With his variations and change in pace, Rahman has proved to be a wicket-taker for his side in the recent past and has done so at an impressive economy. He is likely to bowl with the new ball and is more than effective at the death overs, chipping away with the wickets regularly.

Today’s match prediction: Bangladesh to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision