ODI World Cup 2023, Match 3: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Match Preview

Shakib Al Hasan's Bangladesh meet Hashmatullah Shahidi's Afghanistan at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, in match three of the 2023 ODI World Cup on Saturday, October 7.

In recent years, both teams have shown the ability to pose serious threats to the more fancied sides in sub-continental conditions. However, their recent performances have not been up to the standards that they have set for themselves. The Afghan side managed to beat the 'Bangla Tigers' in their own den in July in a three-match ODI series. This is no mean feat, considering the fact that Bangladesh have established themselves as a difficult side to beat at home, especially in the 50-over format. Shakib and Co. got their revenge in the Asia Cup 2023, as they beat Afghanistan in a must-win contest to make it to the Super Four stage.

Bangladesh have had a tumultuous time as of late and most of it has been centered around the cold war between two of their greatest players - Shakib and Tamim Iqbal. After a few weeks of going back and forth, the talismanic all-rounder seems to have gotten the team of his choice and will look to inspire his men to give a memorable performance in what could be his last dance at the 50-over World Cup. Najmul Hossain Shanto will be key for Bangladesh as he has been in red-hot form and scored the most number of runs for them in ODIs in 2023. In 14 innings, Shanto has scored 698 runs at an average of 49.85. He has amassed two centuries and five fifties in this period.

On the bowling front, Shakib will have to play an important role as he has enormous experience of playing in Indian conditions. Mustafiqur Rahman needs to get back to his best and a stage like the World Cup could be apt for a champion player like him. The likes of Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam have also done well from time to time and could come in handy at venues like Dharamsala that offer something for the pacers. The former is, in fact, the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh with 21 scalps from 11 games at 16.85. Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka convincingly in their first warm-up game before losing to England in the second.

Afghanistan haven't been able to back up their phenomenal triumph in Bangladesh, as they suffered a whitewash at the hands of Pakistan in a three-match ODI series and remained winless in the Asia Cup 2023. However, their thumping win in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka must have been a huge morale-booster.

Something that has clicked for the Afghan side is their opening combination of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The former is their leading run-scorer for this year in ODIs, aggregating 478 runs in 11 innings at 47.80. Left-arm pacer Fazhalhaq Farooqi tops the charts for leading wicket-taker for Afghanistan in ODIs in 2023, with 15 scalps in 11 games at 31.80. However, his economy rate (6.05) has been on the higher side. Whatever the records say, Rashid Khan is going to be the most important player for this side. He will have to come good, not only with the ball but also with the bat for Afghanistan to compete at the ODI World Cup 2023.

Both sides have a lot of ammunition in the spin bowling department. The match is going to start early as there is another game between South Africa and Sri Lanka set to take place later in the day. The early start would mean that the match would get over before any dew could set in and this will bode well for the spinners.

BAN vs AFG Pitch and Conditions

The Dharamsala pitch is likely to be conducive for the pacers when the ball is new. The early start will mean that there could be some moisture underneath the surface. The ball might stop a bit on the batters initially, but a lot of runs could be on offer once the ball gets old. However, chasing has proven to be difficult in the limited-overs fixtures played at this venue. The captain who wins the toss could bat first.

BAN vs AFG, Probable Playing XIs for ODI World Cup 2023, Match 3rd

Bangladesh

Bangladesh have a fine mix of youth and experience on their side and with the return of Mahmudullah, they seem to be a much more balanced unit. Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed have done well for them in recent times with both bat and ball. However, picking both of them on the side could mean that they will have to drop one of their seamers.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan/Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Afghanistan

The Afghans might not experiment too much with their playing XI in the first game. The talented Noor Ahmad, who had a fine season in the Indian Premier League this year, might have to wait a little bit longer to add to his three ODI matches.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

BAN vs AFG Head-to-Head in ODIs

BAN vs AFG Broadcast Details: