The Bangla Tigers and the Afghans are gonna clash against each other on 7th October 2023, at the HPCA stadium in Match 3 of ICC World Cup 2023.
In their head-to-head ODI encounters, Bangladesh has a slight advantage with 9 wins, while Afghanistan has secured 6 victories. Notably, in World Cup matches, Bangladesh has emerged victorious in both encounters against Afghanistan.
Both Afghanistan and Bangladesh are striving to establish themselves as competitive cricketing nations, especially on the global stage. Neither team has won a Cricket World Cup, making this match crucial as it could provide the momentum and confidence needed to kick-start their journey.
Team Preview
Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s performance this year has indeed been a mix of highs and lows. Out of the 20 matches they’ve played, winning 8, losing 9, and having 3 ending in no result, it’s been a year full of challenges.
Their initial series loss to England set the tone for a roller-coaster year, but they bounced back strongly with consecutive series wins against Ireland, both at home and away. However, they lost another home series loss to Afghanistan.
One of the standout moments for Bangladesh was their significant victory against India at the Asia Cup, which boosted their confidence and demonstrated their capability to compete with the top teams. They will be eager to replicate such standout performances in the upcoming World Cup.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s recent ODI performance has indeed been terrible, with only 3 wins out of 11 matches this year. They also failed to qualify for the Super 4 of the Asia Cup.
This series of setbacks included a notable series loss to Sri Lanka, a humbling whitewash by Pakistan on their home ground, and a winless performance in the Asia Cup. Undoubtedly, these disappointments would have significantly eroded their confidence
However, the Afghan team has some talented and capable players who have the potential to turn things around. With nothing to lose in the upcoming match, they will likely approach it with determination and a desire to kickstart their World Cup journey on a positive note.
Probable Playing XI
Bangladesh: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Nazibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq
Pitch Report
The pitch at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is renowned for its batsman-friendly surface. Its high altitude contributes to the ball coming onto the bat smoothly, and the relatively small boundaries of the ground often lead to high-scoring encounters. The average runs per over is 5.02.
However, the early overs can be challenging for batsmen, providing opportunities for bowlers to make an impact, especially seam bowlers who can extract extra bounce and swing.
Typically, the team winning the toss tends to opt for batting first, recognizing the difficulties posed in the second innings, especially when playing under floodlights. Overall, the HPCA Stadium pitch offers a fair balance between batting and bowling.
Players To Watch Out For
Shakib Al Hasan
The most important player to watch out for in the Bangladesh lineup is their all-time icon, Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib has been a pillar of strength for Bangladesh cricket for many years, and his heroics in the 2019 World Cup are etched in history.
Shakib has been in outstanding form this year, amassing 549 runs at an average of 39.2 and an impressive strike rate of 92.8. He also clinched 14 wickets. His consistent performances with both bat and ball make him a vital asset for Bangladesh.
Once again, Shakib will shoulder the responsibility of leading from the front and guiding Bangladesh to victory. This World Cup holds immense importance, as it could potentially be his last appearance on cricket’s grandest stage.
Taskin Ahmed
Taskin has emerged as a potent fast bowler for the team and can be a game-changer with his pace and ability to generate bounce. He can pick up early wickets and provide breakthroughs in crucial moments
Taskin has been in an exceptional form this year. Having picked up an impressive tally of 21 wickets at an average of just 16.9 and maintaining an economical bowling rate of 4.3 runs per over, he has been one of the standout performers for Bangladesh.
In the upcoming World Cup, Taskin’s role will be vital, particularly in the powerplay overs, where his pace and swing can trouble even the best of batsmen. His performance with the ball can significantly impact Bangladesh’s chances in the tournament.
Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran is indeed a promising young talent in Afghan cricket, and he’s gradually making a name for himself as a key batter for the team. His performances with the bat have shown great potential.
Zadran’s ability to anchor the innings, play long innings, and handle pressure situations can be crucial for Afghanistan, especially in the context of a World Cup. He can consistently contribute with the bat and build partnerships
Ibrahim’s impressive record against Bangladesh in the limited sample of 5 innings, where he scored 236 runs at a strike rate of 84.3, highlights his ability to perform against quality opposition.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan is a cricketing magician, and his abilities with the ball are widely recognized on the international stage. The Afghan leg-spinner has consistently bamboozled batsmen with his variations, making him a player of immense importance.
Rashid’s lethal googly, precise line and length, and his ability to take wickets in crucial moments have established him as one of the premier spinners in modern cricket. However, he has been in an off-form this year. He has only taken 9 wickets in 8 matches this year.
In the upcoming World Cup, Rashid Khan’s role as the linchpin of Afghanistan’s bowling attack will be crucial. His ability to break partnerships, control the middle overs, and provide his team with breakthroughs will be instrumental in Afghanistan’s quest for success.
BAN vs AFG Dream11 Team for Match 3 of 2023 WC
Note: This is not our final Dream11 Team as we are not aware of the Toss Result/Final Playing XI of both teams at this moment.
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