Bangladesh achieved a huge victory against Afghanistan in the latest Test in Dhaka’s Mirpur. Chasing the difficult target of 662 runs given by the hosts, the visitors’ batting stopped at 115 runs. As a result, Bangladesh left the field with a victory of 546 runs. The victory in the Mirpur Test was Bangladesh’s biggest margin of victory against any team so far. And this is the third-biggest win in Test history. However, this is a pure example of teamwork, while some of the players have changed the momentum. Let’s see the key performers in Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test 2023. Key Performers of Bangladesh Team in the Recent Test Against Afghanistan The Tigers did really well in their Test match against the Afghans. They did a great job in both batting and bowling. Two openers, Zakir Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, have played well in batting; Najmul Hossain Shanto, Muminul Haque, Liton Das, and Mushfiqur Rahim have handled the responsibility of the middle order greatly. After bringing a big score with the bat, the Tigers performed their bowling duties with potency. The following are the key performers in the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test. Najmul Hossain Shanto For the Bangladesh cricket team, Shanto scored hundreds in both innings of this match. He scored 146 and 124 runs, respectively, and practically ensured Bangladesh’s victory. After Mominul Haque, Shanto became the second Bangladeshi batsman to score a century in both innings of a Test match. Read more: BCB Announces T20I Squad for Afghanistan Series Shanto took 118 balls to reach his century in the first innings and 115 balls in the second innings. He hit 23 fours and 2 sixes to reach 146 runs in the first innings. Shanto hit 15 fours in the second innings. He started the third day with 54 runs. He added 212 runs with Mahmudul Hasan for the second wicket in the first innings. This time he added 171 runs with Zakir Hasan. Shanto won the Man of the Match award by scoring a century in two consecutive innings. Ebadot Hossain Ebadot Hossain picked up four of Afghanistan’s first eight wickets in the first innings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul quickly picked up wickets and wrapped up Afghanistan before 150 runs. Even though Ebadot did not get 5 wickets, his success will be considered a big achievement. He got all four wickets in bouncers. He gave only 47 runs to get all those wickets. In the press conference at the end of the second day’s play, the Tiger pacer said that bouncers and his intelligence worked well to pick the important wickets. He bowled 7 overs in the second innings and got one wicket. Read more: BCB Announces Bangladesh ODI Squad for Afghanistan Series Mominul Haque The first innings did not go well for Mominul Haque. However, this left-hander made a great comeback in the second innings against Afghanistan. This cricketer from Cox’s Bazar has seen the magic figure of three digits in extraordinary batting. The former captain hit a boundary in the 73rd over of the second innings to bring up the 12th century of his career in Test. He played 123 balls to score the century. He hit 12 fours. Mominul last scored a century against Sri Lanka in April 2021. After that, in the last two, he scored three fifties in 26 innings of 14 Tests. Earlier, Mominul scored only 15 runs in the first innings. He hit a four and six off 25 balls before falling victim to debutant pacer Nijat Masood. Taskin Ahmed Taskin did not get any wickets in the first innings, where he bowled only 7 overs and 48 runs. However, his excellent bowling in the second innings led Bangladesh to get the historic victory. Taskin was absent in the past few months due to injury. He returned from injury and took 4 wickets for 37 runs. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records The Test ended before the midday break on the fourth day, and this credit goes to Taskin. He took one of Afghanistan’s 2 wickets on the third day. With 3 more wickets on Saturday, he stopped the Afghans for 115 runs. Shoriful Islam Shoriful took 5 wickets in total, comprising both innings. He bowled 8 overs in the first innings and got 2 wickets. He got two maiden overs and gave only 28 runs. Shoriful became more aggressive in the second innings and got 3 wickets. He bowled 10 overs and got one maiden over. He gave 28 runs in this innings too. Key Performers of the Afghanistan Team against Bangladesh None of the Afghan players except Nijat Masood played a big role in the Test match. Let’s see Nijat’s tremendous performance in detail. Nijat Masood Afghanistan’s only achievement in the match can be said to be the 5 wickets of debutant pacer Nijat Masood in the first innings. He also made a rare feat in cricket by dismissing Zakir Hasan with his first ball in his career. This left-handed pacer picked up 5 wickets in the debut match. Nijat Masood became the second Afghanistan cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut. He returned Zakir Hasan for 1 run. Read more: England dismisses Australia to take 7-run lead in thrilling Ashes opener Besides, he sent back Muminul Haque for 15 runs, Mushfiqur Rahim for 47 runs, Taijul Islam for 0 runs, and Shoriful Islam for 6 runs. Nijat balled 16 overs in the first inning and got two maiden overs. However, he could not shine in the second innings as he balled 12.5 overs and got no wickets. Final Words In the 2023 BAN vs AFG Test, Bangladesh wanted to show off their power and Tigers did a fantastic job and completely dominated the Afghans, achieving their biggest victory ever.

The stage was set for Bangladesh to register their biggest-ever Test win by a huge margin of runs, and they did not make any mistake in seizing the opportunity against Afghanistan. Heading into the fourth day of the Dhaka Test, only the second Test between these two South Asian rivals, the hosts needed eight wickets to secure victory, while Afghanistan faced the daunting task of scoring more than 600 runs in the remaining two days. Afghanistan fell short, and Bangladesh won the match by a massive margin of 546 runs—a record-breaking victory in Test history since 1934 when Australia defeated England by 562 runs at The Oval. Hence, it stands as the largest victory by runs in the ongoing century. Also Read: Bangladesh eye big win as Afghanistan face uphill battle Afghanistan began the day with eight wickets in hand, but they lost all of them during the morning session. Rahmat Shah was the top scorer for Afghanistan with 30 runs, while none of the other Afghan batters managed to reach the 20-run mark. Taskin Ahmed claimed four wickets for Bangladesh, conceding 37 runs, while Shoriful Islam took three wickets. Also Read: Shanto hits back-to-back tons as Bangladesh throw massive challenge to Afghanistan The match concluded in a dramatic fashion as Taskin came close to dismissing Zahir Khan twice as the last wicket. However, TV replays indicated that in one instance when Zahir was given out by the umpire, the ball did not make contact with his bat before being caught by the wicketkeeper. In the second attempt, Taskin bowled a waist-high no-ball that disrupted Zahir's stumps. Eventually, Zahir retired hurt after being struck by a vicious low bouncer from Taskin. In the first innings, Bangladesh posted a total of 382, fueled by a century from Najmul Hossain Shanto and a half-century from Mahmudul Hasan Joy. In his debut, Nijat Masood took five wickets for Afghanistan, including a wicket off the first ball of his career, becoming the second Afghan bowler to achieve a five-for on Test debut. Also Read: BAN vs AFG Test: Bangladesh Hold Firm as Lead Reaches 370 In response, Afghanistan was bowled out for 146, with Ebadot Hossain taking four wickets for Bangladesh on a pitch that favored the pacers. Consequently, Bangladesh secured a commanding 234-run lead in the first innings. Shanto continued his strong performance in the second innings, scoring another century. He now joins Mominul Haque as the only second Bangladeshi batter to achieve a century in each innings of a Test match. Mominul himself also hit a ton. Bangladesh declared their second innings at 425 for four, setting Afghanistan a monumental target of 661 runs. Also Read: BAN vs AFG Test: Bangladesh hold firm as Afghanistan tumble for 146 Facing this uphill battle, the Afghan batters failed to approach their batting with the right mindset and lost two wickets in the final session of day three. Shoriful Islam dismissed Ibrahim Zadran for a golden duck off the first ball of Afghanistan's second innings. In the following over, Taskin Ahmed claimed the wicket of Abdul Malik. At the end of day three, the Afghanistan head coach had expressed that they would be attempting the impossible, which is exactly what transpired. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records Afghanistan will return to Bangladesh in July to play a three-match ODI series and a two-match T20I series in Dhaka and Sylhet.

Debutant Afghan pacer Nijat Masood impressed with a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh were dismissed for 382 in their first innings of the Dhaka Test. Bangladesh lost their last five wickets within seven overs. In the morning session of the second day, they managed to add only 20 runs in 44 minutes. Nijat claimed three of the last five wickets, becoming the second Afghan bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul on debut after Amir Hamza. Also read: 2023 Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan Test: Head-to-head records, Who is favorite? Yamin Ahmadzai initiated the day's proceedings by dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 48 runs. In the subsequent over, Nijat joined the action and removed Mushfiqur Rahim for 47 runs. Nijat bowled a short ball to Mushfiqur, who attempted to play it along the ground but ended up offering a catch to the slip cordon. Both overnight batsmen were dismissed in consecutive overs. Also read: Shanto’s ton helps Bangladesh to dominate in Dhaka Test Ultimately, Bangladesh's innings concluded at 382 in 86 overs. Najmul Hossain Shanto led the charge for Bangladesh with his third Test century, well supported by Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who contributed a solid 76 runs. Nijat shone for Afghanistan, claiming five wickets for 79 runs, while Yamin secured two wickets. Also read: BAN vs AFG Test: Shanto's century sets stage for Bangladesh against Afghanistan

Left-handed batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto shines with a century in the Dhaka Test against Afghanistan, setting the tone for the hosts. Marking only his third century in Test matches, Shanto displayed exceptional batting prowess and contributed well to Bangladesh's innings. After winning the toss, Afghanistan chose to bowl first. They quickly found success by dismissing Zakir Hasan for just 1 run. Read more: LPL Auction 2023: Tamim Iqbal among 24 Bangladeshi Cricketers Who Signed Up Nijat Masood delivered a length ball on the line of the stumps, which sharply moved and eluded Zakir's attempted shot. The Afghan players appealed for a caught-behind, but the umpire dismissed the appeal. However, television replays clearly showed that the ball made contact with the bat, resulting in Nijat taking a wicket off the very first ball of his Test career. Despite this early setback, the Bangladeshi batting line-up remained resilient. Shanto and Mahmudul Hasan Joy formed a remarkable partnership of 212 runs for the second wicket. Their batting display resembled an ODI innings, demonstrating their solid technique and stroke-making ability. Read: BAN vs AFG Test: Afghanistan opt to bowl first in Dhaka The partnership was eventually broken when Joy was dismissed for a well-earned 76 off 137 balls. Bangladesh is currently missing the services of key players, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, both of whom are nursing injuries. Their absence poses a challenge for the team, requiring other players to step up and fill the void. Similarly, Afghanistan is also facing the absence of their star player, Rashid Khan, who is sidelined due to injury concerns. Read: Litton Das as Captain: Test experience could mean advantage over Afghanistan

Afghanistan won the toss in the one-off Test and chose to bowl first on Wednesday in Dhaka. This is only the second Test match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The first Test was played in 2019, which Afghanistan won in Chattogram. Also read: Tamim Iqbal ruled out of Afghanistan Test Bangladesh is missing the services of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, as both players are dealing with injuries. Shakib's injury has given Litton the opportunity to lead the Bangladesh team in Test cricket for the first time. Also read: Injury woes for Bangladesh and Afghanistan ahead of one-off Test Tamim had hoped to play until the day before the match. The national physiotherapist stated that they have made efforts to treat Tamim's injury, but the opener requires more time to fully recover and participate in the longer format of the game. It remains unclear how many more days he will need to be fully prepared. Afghanistan is also facing injury concerns as their star spinner, Rashid Khan, will be unable to play in this match due to an injury. During the pre-match press conference, both teams expressed their confidence in winning this match. Read more: Litton Das as Captain: Test experience could mean advantage over Afghanistan Bangladesh (Playing XI): Najmul Hossain Shanto, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das(w/c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain Afghanistan (Playing XI): Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Nasir Jamal, Afsar Zazai(w), Karim Janat, Amir Hamza, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masood, Yamin Ahmadzai Read more: 2023 Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan Test: Head-to-head records, Who is favorite?

The test match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is set to begin on June 14, 2023, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. This one-off Test match promises to be an exciting encounter between two competitive sides, showcasing their skills and determination in the longest format of the game. A significant highlight of this match is the appointment of Litton Das as the captain of the Bangladesh Test cricket squad. The free-scoring opening batsman and wicketkeeper will lead his country for the first time in Test cricket, which makes the match even more interesting. As both teams gear up for this thrilling face-off, cricket enthusiasts in Bangladesh eagerly await the on-field action and the strategic battles that will unfold. Prospect of Litton Das as Captain of Bangladesh Test Squad Litton is appointed captain because Shakib Al Hasan cannot play due to a finger injury. During his Test debut in 2015, Litton gave a bright message about the future of batting. He is going to lead Bangladesh in Tests after eight years of many ups and downs. Litton will be the 12th captain of the Bangladesh Test cricket team. Read more: 2023 Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan Test: Head-to-head records, Who is favorite? Even though he is stepping in temporarily, Litton feels confident because he has been doing a great job as a wicketkeeper for a while now. Last year, he scored 800 runs in Test matches, which is a big achievement. Only two other Bangladeshi players have reached that milestone in a single year. Litton Das has been a vice captain under Shakib Al Hasan for the Bangladesh Test team for the last year. On top of that, Litton served as captain last December in the one day series. So, he has some experience leading the team. However, some fans are worried because Litton sometimes struggles to turn his good starts into big scores. After the great potential at the beginning of his career, it was not long before darkness fell. After passing through the stormy tide, he turned around and paved his own way. And recent form is also in Litton’s favour. So, Litton Das has a good prospect as captain of the Test squad. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis Does Test Experience Give Bangladesh Advantage over Afghanistan? Bangladesh has a more extensive history and experience in playing Test cricket compared to Afghanistan. This experience can be an advantage for Bangladesh, as they have a better understanding of the strategies required to succeed in the longest format of the game. Bangladesh made its Test debut in November 2000, while Afghanistan played its first Test match in June 2018. This means that Bangladesh has been playing Test cricket for nearly 18 years longer than Afghanistan. As of April 2023, Bangladesh has played 137 Test matches, while Afghanistan has played 6 Test matches. Bangladesh’s Test record has shown steady improvement over the years, with notable victories against top cricketing nations. They have registered Test wins against teams like Australia, England, and New Zealand, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level. On the other hand, Afghanistan’s Test experience is limited, and they are still finding their footing in the format. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis In terms of individual player statistics, Bangladesh has several experienced Test cricketers with impressive records. Players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz have been involved in Bangladesh’s Test successes. These players bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team, which can be invaluable in a Test match scenario. In contrast, Afghanistan’s Test team is relatively inexperienced, with most of their players having played only a handful of Test matches. While they have talented players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, their overall experience in Test cricket is limited compared to Bangladesh. However, both of them are absent from upcoming matches. So, Bangladesh’s extensive Test experience, both as a team and in terms of individual player records, gives them an advantage over Afghanistan in the upcoming Test match on June 14, 2023. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records Final Words Litton Das is excited to step onto the field as Test captain for the Bangladesh team. However, he has done it before in the ODI format, so it will not be a big challenge for him. With a great mindset, Litton is determined to give his best and wants to play an excellent inning. On the whole, Bangladesh’s Test experience will definitely give them an advantage over Afghanistan in the BAN vs AFG Test match on June 14, 2023.

The much-anticipated Bangladesh vs Afghanistan cricket series in 2023 will have a thrilling Test match, which will start on Wednesday (June 14, 2023), and end on Sunday (June 18, 2023). The match will be held at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. With a scheduled start time of 10:00 AM local time, cricket fans are eagerly anticipating the fascinating encounter between Bangladesh and Afghanistan teams. Head-to-head Test records: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan Bangladesh and Afghanistan played only one Test previously. On September 5, 2019, Bangladesh faced Afghanistan in a Test match, resulting in a defeat for Bangladesh by a margin of 224 runs. In terms of Test statistics, Afghanistan currently holds the advantage over Bangladesh. Afghanistan arrived, they fought with determination and emerged victorious. Despite being the same Bangladesh team that triumphed over some of the top Test-playing nations on their home ground, Afghanistan showed its strength. Renowned for their remarkable progress in cricket, Afghans have written a new chapter in the history books, demonstrating their talent. Read more: Litton expresses pride on eve of Test captaincy Afghanistan scored 342 & 260 runs, and Bangladesh scored 205 & 173 runs. Rahmat Shah scored 102 runs in the first innings, which was the biggest score in that match. However, Rashid Khan was the man who defeated Bangladesh alone, as he took 11 wickets in total. Overview of Bangladesh and Afghanistan Test Squads Bangladesh Test Squad Against Afghanistan Litton Das will lead Bangladesh team for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan. Bangladesh Cricket Board has selected two new players for the team, Shahadat Hossain and Musfik Hasan. However, the Tigers will boost their strength with regular players such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and more. But Shahadat Hossain and Musfik Hasan can play a key role if they are included in the starting squad. Shahadat usually plays as a middle-order batsman. He has displayed an impressive performance by scoring two half-centuries in two unofficial Test matches against West Indies A. Musfik, a promising fast bowler, got attention with a remarkable performance in the 2022-23 National Cricket League. He displayed his talent by claiming an impressive tally of 25 wickets throughout the season, maintaining a remarkable average of 15.92. One of his notable highlights was his exceptional display against Dhaka Division, where he took 8 wickets for 73 runs. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis Further, Taskin Ahmed will also boost Bangladesh’s bowling side. He was previously left out of the squad for the Ireland Test due to a side strain but has made a comeback and has been included in the team. Furthermore, Zakir Hasan, who missed the Ireland Test in April, has also been included in the squad. Bangladesh will not get Shakib Al Hasan in the Test as he is recovering from a finger injury. So, this can be a weakness for the Bangladesh team. Afghanistan Test Squad Against Bangladesh Hashmatullah Shahidi has been named the captain of the Afghanistan cricket team for the upcoming Test match. The Afghanistan cricket team’s 15-man squad has been boosted by the inclusion of fast bowling duo Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Nijat Masoud, along with the young leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naweed. Additionally, Karim Janat, who was impressed with his exceptional all-round performance in the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament, has received his first call-up to the national team. The team management has recognized his talent and potential, affording him an opportunity to shine at the highest level. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis But, Afghanistan will not get their star player Rashid Khan due to injury. Apart from Rashid, some of the experienced players will also miss the Test, such as Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammed Nabi, and Azmatullah Omarzai. Missing out these players can be a weakness for Afghans. BAN vs AFG Test 2023: Key Players Potential Players of Bangladesh Team The Bangladesh team will heavily rely on a few key players, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, in the upcoming Test match against Afghanistan. Shanto, with his experience of 22 Test matches, has shown glimpses of brilliance, including a memorable innings of 163 runs against Sri Lanka. Despite a relatively quiet performance in the last Test against Ireland, his recent form suggests he has a great opportunity to showcase his skills against Afghanistan. Mushfiqur Rahim, currently in excellent form, played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s recent victory over Ireland. He scored a rapid half-century and emerged as the highest run-scorer for the home team. Read more: Litton to Lead Bangladesh in Afghanistan Test Mehidy Hasan Miraz, known for his all-around abilities, has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball. Despite scoring 55 runs and taking only 2 wickets in the last match against Ireland, Miraz’s batting skills have been commendable throughout his career. Accumulating 1197 runs in 38 matches, including a highest score of 103, he has proven his ability to convert starts into significant innings. Key Players of Afghanistan Team Rahmat Shah, Ibrahim Zadran, and Amir Hamza Hotak can play a vital role for Afghanistan in the upcoming Test. Rahmat Shah, with an appearance in all six Test matches for Afghanistan, has displayed excellent performances and impressive statistics. Accumulating 385 runs in 12 innings, with a highest score of 102, he has shown his ability to excel under pressure. Ibrahim Zadran, a standout player in Afghans Test cricket, has shown exceptional skills. With 356 runs in four matches and eight innings, including a highest score of 87, he has proven his ability to dominate opposing bowling attacks. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records Amir Hamza Hotak, a skilled left-arm spinner, has made significant contributions to Afghanistan’s Test team. Though he has played only three matches, his 16 wickets in six innings demonstrate his ability to destroy opposition batting line-ups. Who is Favorite to Win the Test Match? Bangladesh is the favorite in the Test match. Tigers have the advantage of playing on their home ground in Mirpur, where they previously lost a Test match against Afghanistan in 2019. They will be eager to balance the head-to-head record this time. Despite the absence of their iconic player, Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh has key players such as Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam, who has shown good form in recent matches. Shanto has the potential to perform well, having scored a remarkable 163 runs against Sri Lanka in 2021. Mushfiqur and Miraz have also demonstrated their capabilities with the bat and ball, respectively. Taskin Ahmed, though less experienced in Tests, is expected to make an impact with his bowling. Read more: BCB to introduce its own TV channel Final Words Considering the unpredictable nature of cricket and the strengths of both teams, it is challenging to make a definitive prediction for the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test match in 2023. However, Bangladesh will likely aim to take revenge after its previous loss, while Afghanistan will seek to replicate its success. It will ultimately come down to the performance of the players and their ability to adapt to the conditions.

The Afghanistan Cricket Team is coming to Bangladesh in two stages to play one Test, three ODIs, and two T20 series. Afghans will arrive in Dhaka on June 10. Only one Test match will be held on June 14 in Mirpur ground. Bangladesh will play the Test against the Afghans, who are full of spin power. Earlier in 2019, Bangladesh lost the only Test played against them on a spin-friendly wicket in Chittagong. Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced the squad for the upcoming 2023 BAN vs AFG Test match. Bangladesh Test Squad Against Afghanistan Litton Das (c), Tamim Iqbal, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shahadat Hossain, Musfik Hasan. BAN vs AFG Series 2023 Test Squad Analysis Litton Das has been appointed as the captain of the Bangladesh team for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan. This decision comes in the wake of Shakib Al Hasan’s absence due to a finger injury he sustained during the ODI series against Ireland in Chelmsford last month. Shakib’s recovery period is estimated to be at least six weeks. Litton Das will be leading a 15-member squad, which includes Shahadat Hossain and Musfik Hasan, both of whom are yet to make their international debut. Read more: Shakib surprises team with visit to practice camp ahead of Afghanistan Test Shahadat, a talented player, was part of the Bangladesh team that emerged victorious in the Under-19 World Cup in 2020. Since then, he has showcased his skills and excelled in domestic tournaments. Primarily a middle-order batsman, he has impressed with his performance, scoring two half-centuries in two unofficial Test matches against West Indies A. Musfik, an emerging fast bowler, made a remarkable entry into the cricket scene with an impressive performance in the 2022-23 National Cricket League. He took 25 wickets during the season, maintaining an outstanding average of 15.92. One of his notable achievements was his exceptional performance against Dhaka Division, where he took 8 wickets for 73 runs. This remarkable achievement marked only the third instance of an eight-wicket haul in domestic first-class cricket in Bangladesh. Taskin Ahmed, who had been previously excluded from the squad for the Ireland Test due to a side strain, has now returned to the squad. Additionally, Zakir Hasan is also included in the team after missing the Ireland Test in April. Zakir had encountered a thumb injury after being selected for the ODI squad for the first time in March. As a result of their return, Shadman Islam has been left out of the squad, and both Shakib Al Hasan and Rejaur Rahman Raja were also excluded from the previous squad. Read more: Litton to Lead Bangladesh in Afghanistan Test Key Players of Bangladesh Squad in the 2023 BAN vs AFG Test Although Bangladesh’s iconic player, Shakib Al Hasan, is out of the test match, other key players such as Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam will be in the team. Najmul Hossain Shanto Debuted in 2017, Shanto has played 22 test matches so far. The most recent was against Ireland. However, he couldn’t shine in the last Test. But overall, he scored 1013 runs from 22 matches. One of Shanto’s most outstanding test performances came against Sri Lanka in 2021. He scored 163 runs in one inning, which is his best test performance so far. With his recent form, it can be said that Shanto has a great chance to show his class once again against the Afghans. Mushfiqur Rahim Mushfiqur has been in great form recently. Mushfiqur Rahim displayed an outstanding performance as he overcame Bangladesh’s mid-innings troubles and delivered a rapid half-century, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph over Ireland in the recent Dhaka test. Mushfiqur emerged as the highest scorer for the home team, amassing 51 runs with the help of seven fours. Read more: New Zealand to visit Bangladesh in November for 2-Test series Before that, he scored 126 runs in the first innings. So, we might see something great like that against Afghanistan too. However, he scored only 23 runs in the only Test against the Afghans in 2019. Overall, Rahim has played 85 test matches and scored 5498 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz In his last match against the Irish, Miraz scored 55 runs after batting in one inning and took only 2 wickets. However, Miraz’s test cricket batting performance has been commendable throughout his career spanning from 2016 to 2023. In a total of 38 matches, he has batted in 70 innings, accumulating an impressive tally of 1197 runs. His highest score of 103 demonstrates his ability to convert starts into substantial innings. His bowling figure is also impressive. In 38 Test matches, he has bowled in 65 innings and has taken 148 wickets. His ability to have a consistent wickets-taking mentality has made him a vital asset for the Bangladesh team. Read more: Bangladesh Sets Their Sights on World Cup: Nic Pothas Taskin Ahmed So far, Taskin only played 12 test matches and 26 wickets in total. Despite being less experienced in tests, he is still considered one of the key bowlers for upcoming tests. Taskin’s best bowling performance on 4/21 in one inning came in 2021 against Sri Lanka. Taskin’s most recent Test appearance was against India on December 22. But he couldn’t give the expected performance and took only one wicket. He was coming back from an injury and missed the Ireland test. Hence, fans are expecting that he will give his best to prove himself, as he proved in the previous ODI series. Final Words Afghanistan has played in six Test matches, achieving a balanced record of three wins and three losses, resulting in an overall winning percentage of 50.00. So, as a newcomer in Test cricket, Afghans have been doing great. Previously Bangladesh played a test match in 2019, which was a defeat for the Tigers. So, it is evident that Bangladesh will try to balance the head-to-head test record in the 2023 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test match. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records