The much-anticipated three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is set to kick off on Wednesday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Afghanistan visited Bangladesh in June for a one-off Test and have now returned to play a three-match ODI and two-match T20I series in Chattogram and Sylhet, respectively.

Also read: Tamim determined to play despite fitness concerns in Afghanistan Series Opener

This series provides an opportunity for the Bangladesh management to assess their best squad for the World Cup, scheduled to take place later this year in India.

Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal also hinted at conducting some experiments during this series.

“We will try to give each member of the squad a game in this series," he stated in the pre-series press conference on Tuesday in Chattogram. “I don’t think Yasir (Ali) got enough chances. We also have (Mohammad) Naim, who has performed exceptionally well in the nets, and we have Afif (Hossain) as well.”

Also read: Preview of BAN vs AFG 1st ODI 2023

Tamim, dealing with an injury concern prior to the series opener, was unable to participate in the Test match held in June against the same opponent. However, he confirmed his fitness to play in the series opener on Wednesday.

“I feel I’m fit to play tomorrow’s match," Tamim insisted on Tuesday. "I’m not a hundred percent fit, but I will play tomorrow.”

Bangladesh and Afghanistan have faced each other in 11 ODIs, with Bangladesh emerging victorious in 7 matches and Afghanistan winning four. However, Afghanistan has performed well in limited-overs cricket in recent years, making them a tough opponent for the Tigers.

Rashid Khan, the Afghan star spinner, missed the Test match due to an injury but has returned for the limited-over series. The Bangladesh team will need to handle him carefully to assert their dominance over the Afghan side.

Also read: Every match is a tough match in the World Cup: Tamim Iqbal

Chattogram has consistently been a venue where Bangladesh has performed well. They have played 25 ODIs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and won nearly 65 percent of those matches. In contrast, Afghanistan has played only three ODIs at this venue and secured only one victory.

While the series opener is scheduled for Wednesday, the remaining two matches will be played on July 8th and 11th at the same venue before the two-match T20I series in Sylhet, which is set to take place on July 14th and 16th.

Bangladesh squad: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, and Taskin Ahmed

Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Shahidullah, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Izharulhaq Naveed, Mohammad Saleem, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wafadar Momand, Zia-ur-Rehman, and Riaz Hassan.