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Key Performers in BAN vs AFG Test 2023
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.
BAN vs AFG Test: Bangladesh clinches historic victory with record margin of 546 runs
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.
BAN vs AFG Test: Nijat takes five as Bangladesh all out for 382
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
BAN vs AFG Test: Afghanistan opt to bowl first in Dhaka
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?
Litton Das as Captain: Test experience could mean advantage over Afghanistan
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.
2023 Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan Test: Head-to-head records, Who is favorite?
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.
BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis
The upcoming Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh 2023 Series will feature a single Test match between the Bangladesh and Afghanistan cricket teams. The match is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, June 14, 2023, to Sunday, June 18, 2023. The venue for the match is the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, and it is set to start at 10:00 AM local time. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing the clash between BAN and AFG in this exciting Test match.
Afghanistan Test Squad Against Bangladesh
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Nijat Masood, Yamin Ahmadzai, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Izharullah Haq Naveed, Hamza Kotak, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Abdul Malik, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Ikram Alikhel, Afsar Zazai and Baheer Shah Mahboob.
Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis for BAn vs AFG Series 2023
Rashid Khan, the renowned leg-spinner, will be absent from the upcoming match. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury that prevented his participation in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka. It appears that he is still recovering and not yet fully fit. Additionally, another notable player missing from the lineup is Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
In addition to Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, who did not participate in the third ODI against Sri Lanka, has been omitted from Afghanistan's squad due to a groin injury.
Read more: Shakib surprises team with visit to practice camp ahead of Afghanistan Test
Hashmatullah Shahidi has been appointed as the captain of the Afghanistan cricket team for the Test match. However, notable players such as Naveen Ul Haq and Mohammed Nabi have not been included in the squad. Additionally, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the wicketkeeper for KKR, and Naveen Ul Haq, the bowler from the Lucknow Super Giants, have also not been considered for selection.
In addition, Afghanistan has announced four players as standby for the upcoming test match. These players are Noor Ali, Zia Akbar, Azmat Omarzai, and Sayed Shirzad. They have been designated as reserves and will be ready to step in if needed during the match.
The 15-man squad of Afghanistan has been strengthened with the inclusion of fast bowling duo Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Nijat Masoud, along with the young leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naweed. These talented players have earned their spots in the squad and will contribute their skills to the team’s efforts.
Additionally, Karim Janat, who showcased a remarkable all-round performance in the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament, has received his maiden call-up to the national team. The team management has recognized his talent and potential, providing him with an opportunity to shine at the highest level.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records
Key Players of Afghanistan Squad in the 2023 BAN vs AFG Test
Rahmat Shah
Rahmat Shah has appeared in Afghanistan’s all 6 test matches. And in those matches, he has showcased commendable performance with impressive statistics. In his 12 innings across 6 matches, he has accumulated a total of 385 runs. His highest score of 102 demonstrates his ability to excel under pressure. With an average of 32.08, Rahmat has displayed consistency on the crease.
Notably, he has also registered a well-deserved century, further setting his batting prowess in the longest format of the game. Rahmat Shah’s contributions have been vital to Afghanistan’s Test team, making him a valuable asset on the field.
Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran, representing Afghanistan in Test cricket, has been truly outstanding. Over the course of four matches and eight innings, he has scored a total of 356 runs. His exceptional performance is highlighted by his highest score of 87, where he demonstrated his ability to dominate the opposing team’s bowling attack.
With an impressive average of 44.5, Ibrahim consistently showcases his strong batting presence whenever he takes to the pitch. His contributions with the bat have played a vital role in Afghanistan’s success in Test matches. Given Ibrahim Zadran’s talent and unwavering consistency, he is undeniably a crucial asset for the upcoming test match against Bangladesh.
Read more: Litton to Lead Bangladesh in Afghanistan Test
Amir Hamza Hotak
Hamza Hotak, a skilled left-arm spinner, earned his place in the Afghanistan Under-19 squad for the 2010 World Cup held in New Zealand. He has played only three test matches for his country. In his 3 matches and 6 innings, he has taken 16 wickets.
His best bowling innings of 6/75 demonstrate his ability to dismantle opposition batting line-ups. His skills as a bowler have contributed significantly to Afghanistan’s quick success in the Test format. Amir Hamza’s impressive performances make him a key player in Afghanistan’s bowling attack in Test matches.
Yamin Ahmadzai
Yamin has played 5 test matches so far. While his overall test bowling performance for Afghans is quite satisfactory, his performance against Bangladesh was poor. He only took one wicket in the 2019 test match against Bangladesh. Overall, he took 11 wickets in five appearances. So, he will surely try to improve his bowling figure and give his best against Bangladesh, which he failed in his previous appearance.
Final Words
This upcoming Test match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh marks their second encounter in the longest format of the game. The two teams previously faced each other in 2019 in a one-off Test match, where Afghanistan emerged triumphant. They secured an unambiguous victory with a massive margin of 224 runs, and Rashid Khan played a pivotal role by claiming 11 wickets in the match. So, in the 2023 BAN vs AFG test match, the Afghans will surely try to repeat their performance. On the other hand, the Bangladesh team has improved a lot, and they will certainly fight back.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis
BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records
The Afghanistan cricket team is set to visit Bangladesh in June and July 2023 for a cricket tour. The tour will include one Test match, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially announced this tour in a press release.
Originally, Afghanistan was scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is in the series. However, on May 11, 2023, one Test match and one T20I were removed from the schedule due to a tight schedule. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the dates and venues for the series on May 17, 2023
BAN VS AFG 2023 Fixtures and Schedule
Table: Fixtures, Schedules of the 2023 Bangladesh vs Afganistan Series
Date
Time (Bangladesh)
Match
Venue
14–18 June 2023
10am
Test
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur
5 July 2023
11am
1st ODI
Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
8 July 2023
11am
2nd ODI
Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
11 July 2023
11am
3rd ODI
Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
14 July 2023
3pm
1st T20I
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
16 July 2023
3pm
2nd T20I
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
Read more: IPL 2023 Playoffs: Team Analysis
The Afghanistan team will tour India on June 19 after playing the only Test match.
Rashid Khan’s team will play an ODI series there against India. After the series in India, the Afghans will return to Bangladesh on July 1. After that, the two teams will play three ODIs on July 5, 8, and 11 at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
After the ODI series, the two teams will go to Sylhet to play the T20 series. Afghans will end their tour there with two matches on July 14 and 16. However, before coming for the Test match, Afghanistan will play against Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series, which will start on June 2.
Read more: Asia Cup Cricket 2023: Analysis of Group A
Probable Teams for the 2023 BAN vs AFG Series
Both teams are yet to announce the squad for the upcoming series. Here is our prediction.
Bangladesh Team:
Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hasan Shanto, Shadman Islam, Shoriful Islam.
Afghanistan Team:
Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Fareed Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Ikram Alikhil, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hassan, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Abdul Rahman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran.
Read more: Asia Cup Cricket 2023: Analysis of Group B
BAN vs AFG Head-to-Head Records So Far
Bangladesh and Afghanistan have met each other 21 times in all formats. Where Bangladesh has won 10 times, and the winning percentage of Bangladesh is 47.62%. On the other hand, Afghanistan won 11 matches. Afghanistan’s rate is 52.38%. Below are the statistics for all formats separately.
BAN vs AFG Test Head to Head
Bangladesh played their only Test against Afghanistan on September 5, 2019, where Bangladesh was defeated by 224 runs. Afghanistan is ahead in test statistics alone.
BAN vs AFG ODI Head to Head
The first One Day International (ODI) encounter between Bangladesh and Afghanistan took place on March 1, 2014, during the Asia Cup. The most recent ODI match between the two teams was held on February 28, 2022.
In total, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have competed in 11 ODI matches. Out of these, Bangladesh won 7 matches, boasting a winning percentage of 63.64%. Meanwhile, Afghanistan secured triumph in 4 matches, resulting in a win rate of 36.36%. Consequently, in terms of ODI encounters, Bangladesh currently holds a favorable position compared to Afghanistan.
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BAN vs AFG T20I Head to Head
The first T20 match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan was played on March 16, 2014, while the most recent one took place on August 30, 2022. Throughout their T20 encounters, a total of 9 matches were contested between the two teams, in which Bangladesh won 3 of them. This grants Bangladesh a winning percentage of 33.33%.
In contrast, Afghanistan emerged victorious in 6 matches, attaining a win rate of 66.67%. Considering the T20 statistics between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Afghanistan will be much ahead. However, according to the current condition of Bangladesh, Tigers are able to perform much better than before in 20.
Final Words
Last year, Afghanistan came to Bangladesh to play a bilateral series. They played ODI and T20 series. This year the teams will play a complete cricket series, including Test, ODI, and T20 matches. The test match in the upcoming series will mark the second test match in Afghanistan’s history. However, this 2023 BAN vs AFG series will be a warm-up series before the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup.
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BAN vs IRE 2023 Test Preview: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad
After so many calculations, BCB announced a 14-man squad on Saturday for the only Test against Ireland. Though Shakib and Litton have been expecting to attend the IPL, they are selected as captain and vice-captain. Bangladesh vs Ireland test match will take place from April 4 to April 9 at Dhaka. Let’s take a look at the preview Bangladesh vs Ireland Test 2023.
Analysis of Bangladesh Test Squad Against Ireland
Ireland has played only three Tests since receiving Test status. The last match was almost three and a half years ago. Against teams that lag behind in strength and experience, there is an opportunity to experiment. There is also the matter of seeing someone playing outside the regular eleven. But Bangladesh Cricket Board is not walking that way as they have announced a squad with top players, including Shakib and Litton. According to selector Abdur Razzak, they want to get a big win against a small opponent. And that is why Bangladesh will play with full strength.
However, there are some changes in the Bangladesh squad. Yasir Ali Rabbi, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Nasum Ahmed, and Rejaur Rahman Raja have been dropped from the team that played against India. Also, Zakir Hasan, who scored a century in the Test debut, is out due to injury. Zakir's injury opened the luck for Sadman Islam. The left-handed opener returned to the national team after a year.
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On the other hand, regular opener Tamim Iqbal, who could not play in the India vs Bangladesh series due to injury, has returned to the Test team. Pacers Ebadot Hossain and Shoriful Islam also returned to the team. Shoriful and Ebadat were not in the India series due to injuries. Both returned to the squad for the Ireland Test. Rejaur and Nasum, who are waiting for their Test debut, could not make it to the team because of Shoriful and Ebadat’s return.
The Irish could not give a big fight except winning the last T20 in Bangladesh this time. They did not get any chance at all in the ODI series. The same happened in the first two T20Is. The last match was only a consolation win. But that does not reduce the fear of doing well in the Test. That is why Bangladesh doesn’t want to take any risk, as this is the only Test.
Bangladesh Squad
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Litton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy.
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Players to Watch
Among these 14 players, fans are expecting more from a few players, such as Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mehidy Hassan Miraz.
Litton Das
Litton’s performance in the series against India did not live up to expectations. But he got good news after scoring a half-century in the last inning. The stylish batsman touched his career-best position in the ICC Test batsmen rankings, which is also the best in Bangladesh's 22-year Test history.
In the weekly update of the ICC rankings, Litton was at number 12 after the India series. He rose to twelfth place in March 2022. His ranking remained the same after finishing the Test against Sri Lanka in May at Mirpur. No other batsman from Bangladesh has ever climbed so high in the test ranking. Now he is at 14 with 702 ratings. So, it is expected that Litton will climb up in the test ranking again.
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Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib contributed tremendously in the last test series against India. With the bat, he scored 87 runs but could not take any wickets in the first match. However, he performed well with balls in the second game, as he took 6 wickets.
However, he could not contribute well with bats in the second match. Shakib has had great form, as he proved in the England and Ireland series. And we can expect excellent performance in Test too. Currently, Shakib is at number 3 allrounder in the ICC Test ranking.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the highest wicket-taker for the Bangladesh team in 2022. Miraz took 31 wickets in Tests and played 8 matches. He gave 1030 runs off 2061 balls. Therefore, Miraz took 1 wicket in every 33 balls. He also did excellent in the most recent test series against India. He took 11 wickets against India. And he is certainly waiting for Ireland to give his best.
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Final Words
It is expected that the BAN vs IRE 2023 test will be a one-sided match as Bangladesh is more experienced than young Ireland. And BCB wants to achieve a big win as they have announced an experienced team consisting of top players. So, this test squad may impact overall team selection for test cricket in the future.
Bangladesh vs Ireland Series 2023 Preview: Schedule, Fixtures, Team
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced the schedule for Bangladesh vs Ireland series 2023. Bangladesh is hosting the series following the series against England. Ireland will play three One-Day Internationals, three T20Is, and one Test match. The Tigers have not played any test against Ireland till now. Against the Irish, Bangladesh has two losses against seven wins in ODIs and one loss against three wins in T20Is. In 2008, Ireland made a trip to Bangladesh to compete in their final bilateral series. Let's have a look at the upcoming BAN vs IRE Series 2023.
Date, Time, and Venue of 2023 BAN vs IRE Series
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced the official schedule for the Ireland series. On Saturday (March 11), the board informed that the first two ODIs and all T20 matches of the series would be played at 2 pm. The last game of the three-match ODI series will be played at 2:30 pm.
According to BCB, the starting time of the ODI match has been delayed keeping in mind the holy Ramadan. In this series, the ODIs will be day and night, but the T20 matches will be over by the evening. The only Test is set to start at 10 am. The two teams will play a preparation match on March 15. After that, the 27-day long three-format series will start with the first ODI on March 18.
Table: Fixtures of Bangladesh vs Ireland Series in 2023
Date
Match
Venue
Time
March 18, 2023
First ODI
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
2 pm
March 20, 2023
Second ODI
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
2 pm
March 23, 2023
Third ODI
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
2:30 pm
March 27, 2023
First T20I
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium
2 pm
March 29, 2023
Second T20I
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium
2 pm
March 31, 2023
Third T20I
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium
2 pm
April 4-8, 22023
Test
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
10 am
.
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Preview of Bangladesh vs Ireland Series 2023
The Ireland cricket team arrived in Bangladesh on March 12 to play the first full bilateral series against the Tigers. This will be a 27-day long tour for the Ireland cricket team. After landing at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Ireland team went directly to Sylhet. The Irish will play a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in Sylhet.
While Ireland has played plenty of ODIs and T20I, they have not had the opportunity to play the test format for a long time. Played only 3 Tests in the last five years after receiving Test status. The last match was played in 2019. By that time, the teams were introduced to the aggressive mentality in Test cricket. The Irish also want to play the same style of cricket.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh team will go to Sylhet after the last T20 match against England on March 14. Previously Bangladesh team met Ireland 11 times in ODI and won seven of them, while two matches ended with no result.
Changes Bangladesh Squad
After the third ODI against England in Chittagong, BCB President Nazmul Hasan Papon has suggested that resting a few cricketers in the upcoming Ireland series could provide a chance for some of the freshers. This statement sparked a debate on which cricketers might be included in the rest list. Eventually, the names are revealed.
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BCB revealed the ODI squad for the forthcoming Ireland series in the absence of experienced national all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad. Recently, this experienced cricketer has been a concern due to his poor performance with the bat, along with his lack of fitness. Questions have been raised about what lies ahead for him after he was eliminated from the Ireland series. On Sunday, March 12, BCB revealed the selection of the 15 players who will take part in the first two One Day Internationals.
Taijul Islam is also not included in the announced 15-member team. Taijul played well in the ODI series against England, yet his absence from the team remains a mystery. The new face in the team is cricketer Zakir Hasan, the keeper-batsman who made his T20 and ODI debut for Bangladesh and has now been called up to the ODI squad. Apart from these two changes, there are no surprises in the ODI squad led by Tamim Iqbal. Additionally, Yasir Ali Chowdhury and Shoriful Islam are back.
Meanwhile, this season of IPL will start on March 31, when Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, and Mustafizur Rahman were selected from Bangladesh. The Test match against Ireland will start on April 4 and end on April 8. So, it is not clear yet if they will play the test.
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Bangladesh Squad for ODIs
Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Litton Kumer Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Zakir Hasan.
Ireland Team News
Ireland has already announced their squad for ODI, T20, and Test matches back on February 9. This is the first Test against Bangladesh since the Irish became full members of the ICC in 2017. This is the first time that there will be three editions of the series on the same tour.
The major change in the announced team is the absence of Joshua Little in T20. The 23-year-old left-hander took the second-highest wickets in T20 Internationals in 2022 with 39 wickets. Got a place in the ICC T20 XI of the year. Little will only be in the ODI series on the tour of Bangladesh. He has got teams in Pakistan's PSL and India's IPL. He has been given leave from the national team to play franchise cricket. Andrew Balbirnie will lead the Irish in all three formats.
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Ireland Squad for ODIs
Andrew Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.
Ireland Squad for T20I
Andrew Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Barry McCarthy, Conor Olphert, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Ireland Squad for Test Match
Andrew Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Murray Commins, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.
Final Words
Bangladesh's ODI record at home is incredibly good. They have won most of the series at home for the last four-five years. In addition to that, the most recent T20 series win against England will also boost the team’s confidence. So, Ireland's tour in Bangladesh is going to be a challenge for Ireland. Usually, the bigger tours are more challenging for teams like Ireland. Hopefully, The Irish team will be ready to adapt once they get on the field.
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