ICC World Cup 2019: Match 31, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

After putting up an exceptional fight against India, Afghanistan will face another Asian team in Bangladesh in match 31 of the ongoing World Cup on Monday. The pitch at The Rose Bowl suited their play and they would love the fact that their next game is also at the same venue. Bangladesh, on the other hand, are coming off a defeat at the hands of Australia in a high-scoring encounter and are in a must-win situation to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

The Tigers weren’t up to the mark with the ball in their previous outing and will need to up their game soon. They have now conceded big totals like 386 and 381 bowling first leaving too much to do for the batsmen. Mohammad Saifuddin and Mosaddek Hossain might return to the playing XI if they are fit. As far as Afghanistan are concerned, they might go in unchanged after a brilliant outing against India.

Match Details

The 31st match of the ICC World Cup 2019 will be played between Bangladesh and Afghanistan at The Rose Bowl in Southampton.

The match starts at 10:30 AM local time (09:30 AM GMT) (3:00 PM IST).

The game will be live on Star Sports. Live streaming available on Hotstar.

Weather Report

The sun was brimming for the India game. But things are likely to change dramatically on Monday. There is a 51% chance of pouring down at 11 AM while the heavens might also open up in the latter stage of the game to bring the DLS method into the equation. It will also be cloudy for the whole day. The temperature is expected to hover around 19-20 degrees Celsius according to AccuWeather.

Pitch Report

The pitch for the India-Afghanistan game was extremely sluggish and Gulbadin Naib & Co would love to play on the same track again. If the same strip is on offer for this game, 230-240 score will be par this time and the spinners will definitely relish this opportunity. This is also the last encounter of this World Cup at The Rose Bowl.

Average first innings score: 221 (Three matches in this World Cup at the venue)

Record of the chasing teams: Won – 2; Lost – 1

Probable Playing XIs

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman/Mosaddek Hossain, Rubel Hossain/Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mustafizur Rahman.

Bench – Abu Jayed, Rubel Hossain/Mohammad Saifuddin, Sabbir Rahman/Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Mithun.

Afghanistan

Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib (C), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Aftab Alam, Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Bench – Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari.

Team News:

Mosaddek Hossain and Saifuddin didn’t play the previous game due to injuries. There is no update on them yet and if fit, will walk back into the side.

Power Picks

Shakib Al Hasan with the bat in 2019:

Innings: 8

Runs: 565

Average: 113

100s: 2

50s: 4

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain Options: Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Nabi.

Vice-Captain Options: Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mushfiqur Rahim.

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Wicket-Keeper – Mushfiqur Rahim

Batsmen – Rahmat Shah, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar

All-Rounders – Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (VC), Shakib Al Hasan (C)

Bowlers – Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Grand/Mega Leagues:

Wicket-Keeper – Liton Das

Batsmen – Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar (C)

All-Rounders – Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Shakib Al Hasan (VC)

Bowlers – Aftab Alam, Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman.

Expert Advice:

It is better to have batsmen who are part-time bowlers in the team. If a similar pitch to like India-Afghanistan game is on offer, the likes of Sarkar, Rahmat and if needed, even Mahmudullah will bowl.

If Afghanistan bat first, you can pick Rashid Khan for one of the multiplier options. Batsmen generally give Rashid wickets when they are trying to play big shots.

Mustafizur’s cutters will also be effective on Southampton wicket.

Probable Winners:

Bangladesh are expected to win the match but by no means, Afghanistan could be taken for granted.

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