The much-awaited three matches ODI series starts tomorrow at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury (ZAC) stadium at Sagarika, Chattogram. Irrespective of the roller coaster ride of Bangladesh in the recent one-off test against the tourist ODI series is expected to generate tool and nail battle excitements between the two evenly matched teams.
Bangladesh has a formidable ODI team, and they are powerful at home. Afghanistan also in white ball cricket is very strong possessing some players who are among the world’s best in the contest. These two teams will also appear in their first match of the CWC 2023 at Dharamshala, India. Hence the series starting tomorrow will be a dress rehearsal for both. Afghanistan and Bangladesh qualified among the top 8 teams of the ICC ODI ranking unlike other teams now playing for the qualification for the other two spots in Zimbabwe.
The Squads
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (c), Litton Das (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Afif Hossain, Ebadat Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahman Ullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Wafadar Momand, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmat Shah, Abdul Rahman, Riaz Hassan, Izharulhaq Naveed, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Saleem, Shahidullah, Sayed Shirzad, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Zia-ur-Rehman
File Photo
We are sure that Afghanistan’s ODI strength will not be judged from their pathetic performance in the one-off Test, where some of their experienced top players were rested for different reasons. Bangladesh adopting a new strategy of positive dynamic cricket, has set its goal for Asia Cup and CWC 2023. Along with world-quality senior professionals like Shakib, Mushfique, and Tamim, it now possesses a vastly improved Litton K Das, Mehedi Hasan Miraj, and Nazmul Shanto. The emergence of talented youngsters like Tawhid Hridoy and Hasan Mahmood has changed the team's complexion. Apart from the world-quality spin attack, Bangladesh now possess match winning pace attack spearheaded by Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmood, Shoriful Islam, and Ebadat Hossain. The series will be another opportunity for testing Afif Hossain and Mohammad Naim. The team has started displaying brilliant fielding as well. It is not precisely the “Baseball” brand of English cricket, but Bangladesh has adopted an aggressive brand of cricket.
All said Afghanistan in ODI and T20 will be equally competitive. They have some highly talented players, some among the top white ball players. With some major global competitions in view, they have assembled all their top players for matching Bangladesh in ODI and T20 series. As can be seen from above Ramanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Fazal Haq Farooqi have been reassembled who were not included in the test squad. All of them are tried and tested players and can significantly contribute to the contest's outcome. It is to be seen how Bangladesh handles Rashid Khan, Mujeeb, and Co. Fazal Haq Farooqi is also a quality pacer in the making. Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Ibrahim Zadran playing in the Test are already aware of the kind of challenges of Bangladesh attack.
Bangladesh has to bat with passion and try scoring 280 -300 in every match to give their vastly improved bowling unit cushion for defending. Tamim, Shakib, and Mushfique have led the batting challenge. Shanto, Litton, Mehedi Miraj, and Towhid Hridoy will add value. This will be an acid test for Afif and Naim to prove. Would have loved to see Mahmudullah in the Squad as well. Bangladesh should play with three pacers and two spinning all-rounders if that suits the wicket and the balance of the team.
Overall, the teams have very little to choose in between. They are evenly balanced with Bangladesh having a home advantage. In a head-to-head contest, Bangladesh is ahead of Afghanistan in ODI while Afghanistan is stronger in T20. After completing the ODI series in Chattogram teams move to Sylhet for the two matches T20 series. Will review the T20 series after the ODI series.
BDST: 0900 HRS, JULY 04, 2023
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