Afghanistan
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Match Preview: T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8
The Super 8 phase of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will conclude with the all-important match of Bangladesh vs Afghanistan. The two dark horses of the tournament will face each other on the 25th of June at 6:30 AM BST at St. Vincent.
Match Details of Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
Match
Date (BST)
Teams
Time (BST)
Venue
52
25/6/2024
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
6:30 AM
Arnos Vale Ground, Arnos Vale, St Vincent
.
Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Groups, Match Fixtures, and Venues
Preview of BAN vs AFG Match at Super 8 Stage
After the groups were set, the general idea was that India and Australia would qualify for the semi-finals. However, Afghanistan made this group interesting after their brilliant and historic performance against Australia. As a result, the semi-final spot became open for everyone now.
Equation
Afghanistan have earned their position to be in this place. They have a genuine chance to qualify for the semis. But they have to wait for things to go in their favor in the match of Australia vs India. If Australia doesn’t win then a win for them is more than enough for their first-ever semi-final appearance. Even if Australia wins that game, they can get there by winning by a margin which will see them ahead in the net run rate. Additionally, they still might have a chance to go through even if they lose. But for that, Australia needs to lose by a big margin and they lose by a small one to give them the advantage in the net run rate.
Everyone thought Bangladesh to be done and dusted after their abysmal performance against India. But Afghanistan have given them a chance. However, it’s the most difficult for them among the four teams to qualify. And their fate is not fully in their own hands either, courtesy of their poor performance in the Super 8. Their chances rely on the match between Australia and India. Any outcome other than an Indian win will blow away their chances even before the game starts. The only chance they have is that Australia lose to India and they beat Afghanistan by such a margin that will give them the necessary advantage in the net run rate.
Read more: India vs Australia Match Preview: T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8
Performance and Team Situation
The stats would say Afghanistan dominated the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Both the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker are from their team. Not only that, two of the top 4 run-scorers of this tournament are from Afghanistan. Their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have scored 449 runs combined which is the highest by any opening pair in this World Cup. Similarly, three of the top 10 wicket-takers are from Afghanistan this time. Therefore, Afghanistan looks solid in every aspect of the match. No wonder they have come this far. However, a major problem is their over-reliance on their openers for runs. The openers produced heavily for the Afghans as mentioned earlier. But none of the other batters could score even 100 in the tournament. That is one aspect they would like to sort out before this match.
On the other hand, Bangladesh is in a grave situation currently. Their bowling line-up has been productive. Bangladesh and Afghanistan are two of the three sides that have multiple bowlers with 10 wickets in this tournament (the other is India). Yet they are in a dire situation due to their batting lineup. The misery of their top-order continues. Even though skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored some runs in the Super 8, it did not prove to be enough. And other batters are also in miserable form and critically inconsistent. To give a picture of their batting, they are the only side from the Super 8 which does not have a batter who scored 150 runs. The good news for them is that the match is at St. Vincent where they have an excellent record and the conditions are bowling-friendly. Still, there is little to no hope with this batting lineup.
Read more: Venue Guide: Stadiums of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
Table: An overview of Afghanistan’s performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Match Played
6
Won
4
Lost
2
Tie/NR
0
Highest Run-scorer
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (238)
Highest Wicket Taker
Fazalhaq Farooqi (15)
Table: An overview of Bangladesh’s performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Match Played
6
Won
3
Lost
3
Tie/NR
0
Highest Run-scorer
Towhid Hridoy (139)
Highest Wicket Taker
Tanzim Hasan Sakib (11)
.
Read more: T20 World Cup: Afghanistan stun Australia
Bangladesh vs Afghanista H2H T20I Records So Far
Table: Head-to-Head T20I Records Between Bangladesh and Afghanistan So Far
Matches Played
Bangladesh Won
Afghanistan Won
TIE/NR
11
5
6
0
Table: H2H Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Records In the T20 World Cup Tournaments So Far
Matches Played
Bangladesh Won
Afghanistan Won
TIE/NR
1
1
0
0
Bangladesh somehow managed to stay unbeaten against Afghanistan in the ICC tournaments so far. But Afghanistan have more wins against them in the overall T20I scenario.
Probable Lineups
Most Probable XI of the Bangladesh Team
Tanzid Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman.
Read more: T20 World Cup: Bangladesh aims to unleash full potential despite challenges.
Most Probable XI of the Afghanistan Team
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (Captain), Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Key Players to Watch in Bangladesh Team
Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Bangladesh have been relying on their bowlers largely to get a result in this campaign. This match will not be any different either. Tanzim Sakib has been a real menace for the opponent's top-order batters. Afghanistan’s top order secures a lion’s share of their batting performance. Therefore, the best bowler of Bangladesh in this World Cup has to pick up early wickets and give Bangladesh a real chance in this match.
Rishad Hossain
He can be the answer to Rashid Khan for Bangladesh. Rishad Hossain has been a revelation of this T20 World Cup. Afghanistan also have a weakness against the leg-spin like Bangladesh. Therefore, his role would be key to restricting the middle order of the Afghanistan team.
Litton Kumer Das
Despite his form, Litton Kumer Das remains a key in this match. It is mostly because of his numbers against Afghanistan. Given their spinners will operate in the middle overs, someone from the top-order of Bangladesh needs to play a good knock to give them runs in the powerplay. Litton Kumer Das has to take that role for Bangladesh.
Read more: Analyzing Bangladesh Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Key Players to Watch in Afghanistan Team
Rashid Khan
The Afghanistan skipper will always be the most important player for them. Bangladesh have a historical weakness in dealing with leg spinners. And arguably the best leg-spinner of the generation in the condition of St. Lucia can take Bangladesh batting apart. Afghanistan would want that.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
The highest run-scorer of this tournament has a lot to do in this match. The net run rate would be a huge factor in their qualification for the semis. Therefore, his early power in the batting would not only make life difficult for Bangladesh but give a huge boost to their semi-final hopes.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
The highest wicket-taker of the tournament playing against one of his favorite opponents. The prospects are highly attractive for Afghanistan at this point. It can be crucial to take early wickets of the already struggling Bangladesh top-order and restrict them to a low total which will take them to the semis.
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Verdict
Despite the history of these two teams being neck-and-neck, Afghanistan have to be the favorite at this point due to the way they have been performing in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. However, it is expected that the BAN vs AFG match at the Super 8 stage will be thrilling, and exciting.
5 months ago
UN is seeking to verify that Afghanistan's Taliban are letting girls study at religious schools
The United Nations is seeking to verify reports that Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are allowing girls of all ages to study at Islamic religious schools that are traditionally boys-only, the U.N.'s top official in the country said Wednesday.
U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva told the U.N. Security Council and elaborated to reporters afterward that the United Nations is receiving "more and more anecdotal evidence" that girls can study at the schools, known as madrassas.
"It is not entirely clear, however, what constitutes a madrassa, if there is a standardized curriculum that allows modern education subjects, and how many girls are able to study in madrassas," she said.
The Taliban have been globally condemned for banning girls and women from secondary school and university, and allowing girls to study only through the sixth grade.
UN report says more than 570,000 people in Gaza are now 'starving' due to fallout from war
Taliban education authorities "continue to tell us that they are working on creating conditions to allow girls to return to school. But time is passing while a generation of girls is falling behind," Otunbayeva said.
She said that the Taliban Ministry of Education is reportedly undertaking an assessment of madrassas as well as a review of public school curriculum and warned that the quality of education in Afghanistan "is a growing concern."
"The international community has rightly focused on the need to reverse the ban on girls' education," Otunbayeva said, "but the deteriorating quality of education and access to it is affecting boys as well."
"A failure to provide a sufficiently modern curriculum with equality of access for both girls and boys will make it impossible to implement the de facto authorities' own agenda of economic self-sufficiency," she added.
A Human Rights Watch report earlier this month said the Taliban's "abusive" educational policies are harming boys as well as girls.
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The departure of qualified teachers, including women, regressive curriculum changes and an increase in corporal punishment have led to greater fear of going to school and falling attendance, the report said. Because the Taliban have dismissed all female teachers from boys' schools, many boys are taught by unqualified people or sit in classrooms with no teachers at all, it said.
Turning to human rights, Otunbayeva said that the key features in Afghanistan "are a record of systemic discrimination against women and girls, repression of political dissent and free speech, a lack of meaningful representation of minorities, and ongoing instances of extrajudicial killing, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill-treatment."
The lack of progress in resolving human rights issues is a key factor behind the current impasse between the Taliban and the international community, she said.
Otunbayeva said Afghanistan also faces a growing humanitarian crisis. With Afghans confronting winter weather, more people will depend on humanitarian aid, but with a drop in funding many of the needy will be more vulnerable than they were a year ago, she said.
U.N. humanitarian coordinator Ramesh Rajasingham said that "humanitarian needs continue to push record levels, with more than 29 million people requiring humanitarian assistance — one million more than in January, and a 340% increase in the last five years."
Between January and October, he said, the U.N. and its partners provided assistance to 26.5 million people, including 14.2 million women and girls. But as the year ends, the U.N. appeal is still seeking to close a $1.8 billion funding gap.
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Rajasingham said the humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by three earthquakes in eight days in October in the western province of Herat that affected 275,000 people and damaged 40,000 homes.
A further problem is the return of more than 450,000 Afghans after Pakistan on Nov. 1 ordered "illegal foreigners" without documentation to leave, he said. More than 85% of the returnees are women and children, he said, and many have been stripped of their belongings, arrive in poor medical condition and require immediate assistance at the border as well and longer-term support.
11 months ago
ICC World Cup 2023: Afghanistan Sets Strong Start Against England
Afghanistan, after losing the toss, was sent to bat first in their ICC World Cup match against England on Sunday in Delhi.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a solid foundation for the Afghan team.
ICC World Cup 2023: Australia Men's ODI Squad Analysis
By the tenth over of their innings, Afghanistan scored 79 without loss.
Rahmanullah led the charge with an impressive 46 off 31 balls. The right-handed batter also struck six fours and two sixes.
ICC World Cup 2023: India make it 8-0 against Pakistan in World Cups with thumping win in Ahmedabad
Afghanistan faced defeats in their initial two matches against Bangladesh and India. In contrast, England lost their opening match to India but secured a victory against Bangladesh.
ICC World Cup 2023: Indian bowlers secure advantage against Pakistan
Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
England XI: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (capt & wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley//
1 year ago
Bangladesh kicks off ICC World Cup 2023 campaign with commanding win over Afghanistan
First, they skillfully dismissed Afghanistan for a mere 156, then they chased it down with six wickets to spare.
Bangladesh has made a roaring start to their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign. With this victory in Dharamsala, they have also taken a significant stride in dispelling the controversies that surrounded the team right before the World Cup.
Bangladesh has always sought a beginning that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament. With a six-wicket triumph against a team that has proven to be a challenging opponent in recent years, Bangladesh has achieved just that in the first World Cup held in the subcontinent since 2011.
Read: PM congratulates Tigers for first win in ICC World Cup 2023
In their previous series against Afghanistan at home, Bangladesh grappled with controversies. The then-captain, Tamim Iqbal, announced a sudden retirement during that series amidst fitness-related controversy, leading to a series loss at home.
So, ahead of today’s match, Bangladesh had to contend with that memory as well, although they held a superior record against Afghanistan in the World Cups. In their last two encounters at cricket's grandest stage, Bangladesh emerged victorious.
The bowlers demonstrated they were up for the challenge. Winning the toss, Bangladesh chose to bowl first. Afghanistan, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, got off to a brisk start, amassing 47 runs for the first wicket.
1 year ago
ICC World Cup 2023: Preview of BAN vs. AFG ODI
Bangladesh is set to begin their ICC World Cup 2023 journey by facing off against South Asian rival Afghanistan today (October 7). The clash between these two teams, both representing Asia, is scheduled to take place at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala at 11 am Bangladesh time. Let’s see what to expect from this Bangladesh vs Afghanistan World Cup match.
Preview of BAN vs. AFG ODI in ICC World Cup 2023
In recent years, Bangladesh has emerged as a powerful contender in white-ball cricket, boasting an impressive 47% win rate in 2023 (matches with no result were not counted). Nevertheless, their performance has experienced a slight decline in the past few months.
Table: Bangladesh's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
Matches
Win
Loss
No Result
20
8
9
3
This year, Bangladesh played 20 matches in total and won 8 of them while losing 9 matches. However, three matches came out with no result.
Read more: Tamim opted to stay out of Bangladesh's World Cup squad: Mashrafe
Further, Bangladesh faced elimination in the Super Four stage of the recent Asia Cup and encountered a setback with a 2-0 loss against New Zealand in the lead-up to the current event. Despite these challenges, their victory against India in the Asia Cup highlights that the Tigers should not be underestimated at any point.
Heading to the World Cup 2023, Bangladesh has a tough batting lineup, relying on it to counter the spin-heavy Afghan bowling attack. Key batsmen include Najmul Hossain Shanto, who showcased brilliant form in the Asia Cup 2023, partnering with Litton Das as the opening duo.
Read more: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How to Watch Online, Predicted XI
Towhid Hridoy has solidified his position as a dependable middle-order batsman, complemented by the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim in the lower order. The team features two outstanding all-rounders, Shakib Al-Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, known for their impactful contributions across all facets of the game.
In the spin department, Mahmudullah is likely to join the ranks. Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed, both in good bowling form, will support Mustafizur Rahman in the bowling department, while Hasan Mahmud might secure a spot as the fourth bowler. The collective strength of this well-rounded squad positions Bangladesh as a challenging force in the upcoming matches.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
On the other hand, Afghanistan's track record in the World Cup has been less than satisfactory, securing victory in only one out of the 15 matches played across their two appearances. In the last edition, they came remarkably close to defeating teams such as India and Pakistan. However, their relative lack of experience on the grand stage led them to surrender to pressure in critical moments.
Nevertheless, the Afghan players bring valuable experience from their participation in T20 leagues worldwide, providing them with a notable advantage. Afghanistan is particularly renowned for its spin-bowling options.
The crucial figure in the team's bowling lineup is Rashid Khan. With an impressive track record in the IPL and a deep understanding of Indian conditions, Khan is sure to play a crucial role in this match. Supporting him in the spin department are Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
While batting has historically been a vulnerable aspect for Afghanistan, the opening pair of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz has displayed excellent form in recent months, aiming to provide the team with a robust start. The middle order comprises Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Najibullah Zadran, whose consistency in scoring runs will be essential in this BAN vs AFG World Cup match.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
This year, Afghanistan played 11 ODI matches so far and won three of them. Two of the wins came against Bangladesh and one against Sri Lanka.
Table: Afghanistan's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
Matches
Win
Loss
No Result
11
3
8
0
So, regarding experience and performance, the Tigers are ahead of the Afghans.
Bangladesh and Afghanistan stats in ICC ODI World Cups So farSo far, Bangladesh appeared in 7 ICC World Cups, including the 2023 tournament. Among these, the 2007 and 2015 World Cups were quite successful for them. Bangladesh reached Super Eights in 2007 and reached the quarter-finals in 2015. And they were eliminated in the group stage in 1999, 2003, 2011, and 2019.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
On the other hand, the Afghans began their World Cup appearance in 2015 and appeared in another one in 2019. In these two World Cups, Afghanistan played 15 matches and won only one game against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup.
Table: Bangladesh and Afghanistan stats in ICC ODI World Cups
Team
Appearances
Total Matches Played
Wins
Losses
No Result
Bangladesh
1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
42
14
25
3
Afghanistan
2015, 2019, 2023
15
1
14
0
Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Bangladesh and Afghanistan met in 15 ODI matches, and Bangladesh won 9 matches, while Afghans emerged victorious in 6 matches. However, in the World Cup, Bangladesh faced the Afghans two times and won both of the matches.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Table: BAN vs. AFG Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Matches
Bangladesh Won
Afghanistan Won
No Result
15
9
6
0
Probable Bangladesh XI
Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Probable Afghanistan XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq.
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Bangladeshi Players to Watch
Najmul Hossain Shanto
The Bangladeshi top-order batsman has had an outstanding year, beginning with a memorable Bangladesh Premier League. This year, in 2023, Shanto played 15 matches and scored 698 runs, which could have been increased if he was not injured in the Asia Cup 2023.
Shakib Al Hasan
Appearing in the 2007 World Cup first, Shakib Al Hasan’s World Cup record filled with 1146 runs and 34 wickets from 29 matches. And in 2023, Shakib maintained his impressive performance. In the 16 ODI matches he played this year, he accumulated 549 runs, achieving the highest score of 93 runs and securing five half-centuries. Additionally, he showcased his bowling skill by taking 14 wickets across these 16 matches, with his best bowling figures being 4/35.
Towhid Hridoy
Towhid Hridoy has displayed admirable form in recent matches. In the current year, he participated in 17 matches, scoring a total of 518 runs with an impressive strike rate of 86.33. Hridoy first garnered attention with notable performances, scoring 82 and 54 runs in the 2023 Asia Cup. So, he will surely have some impact on the Afghans.
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Afghan Players to Watch
Ibrahim Zadran
The Afghan opener has been the standout batsman for his team in the current year, accumulating 478 runs from 11 innings at an impressive average of 47.8. Teaming up with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, he has established a formidable opening partnership for the Afghan team. So, we might see Zadran’s tremendous performance in the next match.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
He is among the more aggressive batsmen in the Afghan lineup and complements his partner Zadran effectively. His notable strength lies in his attacking approach, showcasing the ability to unleash shots right from the outset, thereby putting opposing bowlers under pressure. This year, he scored 376 runs from 11 matches.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Farooqi is anticipated to be Afghanistan's key bowler in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. He has stood out as their leading wicket-taker over the last two years, securing 32 wickets from 14 innings while maintaining a bowling average of 27.5.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
Final Words
Statistically, Bangladesh has a competitive edge over Afghanistan. However, in recent times, Afghans have been fighting back and getting positive results. Considering the recent and historical performance, Bangladesh has a great chance to win the BAN vs. AFG ICC World Cup 2023 match.
Read more: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
1 year ago
Analysis of 2023 BAN vs AFG T20I Series
Afghanistan's relationship with T20 cricket is different. Afghans have been dominating this format. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s relationship is completely opposite. Finally, the knot has opened, and Tigers have won the latest series against Afghanistan. And it is the fourth consecutive T20I series win for Bangladesh. After first defeating the world champions England, then Ireland, Bangladesh won the T20 series for the first time against the Afghans. Bangladesh reached the target of 119 runs given by Afghans with 5 balls remaining in the match, which was reduced to 17 overs due to rain.
Afghanistan’s Overall Performance
In the first T20I match against Bangladesh, Afghanistan opted to bat and aimed for a target of around 150 runs. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz opened the innings but had a slow start. However, they managed to overcome the Bangladeshi bowlers in the second over. Zazai was dismissed for 8 runs, followed by Rahmanullah for 16 runs. Ibrahim Zadran and Karim Janat tried to stabilise the innings but couldn’t form a significant partnership. Nabi and Najibullah contributed 35 runs together, but their partnership was broken. Mohammad Nabi played a remarkable innings, scoring 54 runs, helping Afghanistan reach a total of 154 runs. In the bowling department, Afghanistan used seven bowlers, all of whom managed to take wickets except for Mohammad Nabi. Mujeeb, Rashid, Azmatullah, Farooqi, and Fareed took one wicket each, and Karim Janat achieved a hat-trick.
In the second T20I match, Afghanistan’s batting performance was challenging due to losing early wickets. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a boundary but got out for 8 runs in the first over. Hazratullah Zazai also fell quickly in the third over. After a rain-related delay, Mustafizur dismissed Mohammad Nabi, while Shakib sent Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah back to the pavilion. Azmatullah Omarzai and Karim Janat tried to recover the innings but were eventually dismissed after scoring 42 runs. Rashid Khan’s team could only reach 116 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 17 overs due to the rain interruption. In terms of bowling, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2 wickets in his 4 overs, and Azmatullah Omarzai also claimed 2 wickets in his 3 overs. Despite their efforts, Afghanistan couldn’t secure a victory in the second T20I against Bangladesh.
Read more: Bangladesh clinch T20I series against Afghanistan with easy win
Bangladesh’s Overall Performance
Bangladesh had a solid overall performance in the T20 series against Afghanistan. In the first T20I, the Bangladesh team faced an early setback when Rony Talukdar was bowled out by Farooqi in the first over. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das tried to control the innings, but Shanto got dismissed after scoring 12 runs. Litton also went soon after, scoring 18 runs. However, the partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Hridoy boosted Bangladesh’s innings. Shakib contributed 19 runs before being caught by Karim off Fareed’s delivery. Shamim Hossain and Hridoy then built a partnership of 73 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin, and Nasum got out in quick succession, giving Karim Janat a hat trick. However, Shoriful Islam’s boundary helped Bangladesh reach the target. In the bowling, Shakib, Nasum, Taskin, Shoriful, Mustafiz, and Miraz claimed one wicket each. Shakib and Taskin bowled four overs, while Nasum and Shoriful bowled three overs each. Miraz bowled two overs in the match.
In the second T20I, Litton Das and Afif Hossain provided a strong opening partnership for Bangladesh. Litton played aggressively, and the team quickly crossed the 50-run mark without losing a wicket. However, Litton got out after scoring 67 runs, followed by Afif’s dismissal. Nazmul Hasan Shanto couldn’t stay at the crease for long and was dismissed for 4 runs. Hridoy and Shakib played crucial roles in maintaining the run flow and securing victory with 5 balls to spare. However, Taskin was impressive in the bowling department, taking 3 wickets in his 4 overs with an economy rate of 8.25. Mustafiz and Shakib contributed with 2 wickets each. Hasan Mahmud and Nasum Ahmed couldn’t claim any wickets in the match.
Overall, Bangladesh showed a strong batting performance in both matches, with key contributions from various players. Their bowling unit also performed well, taking regular wickets and containing the Afghan batsmen effectively.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Schedule Revealed: Bangladesh to face Afghanistan in First Match
Overall Stats of the Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2023
Table: Overall stats
Matches
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
1st T20I
154/7
157/8 Bangladesh won by 2 wickets (with 1 ball remaining)
2nd T20I
116/7
119/4 Bangladesh won by 6 wickets (with 5 balls remaining)
Best Performers in the 2023 BAN vs AFG T20I Series
Table: Top performers of Bangladesh and Afghanistan Squads in the T20 Series 2023
Player
Performance
Shakib Al Hasan
4 wickets and 37 runs
Azmatullah Omarzai
3 Wickets and 58 runs
Mohammad Nabi
70 runs
Towhid Hridoy
66 runs
Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan, the star all-rounder, had an impressive performance in the T20 series against Afghanistan. In the first T20I, Shakib showcased his skills with both bat and ball. He contributed 19 runs with the bat. Additionally, he made a significant impact with the ball, taking two crucial wickets to help restrict Afghanistan’s batting line-up. In the second T20I, Shakib continued to display his all-round prowess. He played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s victory by scoring an unbeaten 18 runs and taking 2 wickets.
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Azmatullah Omarzai
Azmatullah Omarzai did really well in the T20 cricket series against Bangladesh. He showed his skills in both batting and bowling. In the first game, he scored 33 runs with the bat. He also took a wicket while bowling. In the second game, Azmatullah continued to impress everyone. He scored 25 runs, which was important for his team when things were a bit difficult. He helped Afghanistan get a good score on the scoreboard. He also took two wickets.
Mohammad Nabi
Nabi was the highest run scorer in the T20 series. He scored 70 runs in two matches. He scored 54 runs from 40 balls in the first match and remained not out. However, his performance was a bit low in the second match, as he scored 16 runs from 22 deliveries.
Towhid Hridoy
Hridoy was the highest run scorer for Bangladesh accumulating 66 runs. His 47 runs in the first match helped Bangladesh win the match. However, the 19 runs from 17 balls in the second match also contributed greatly to the team’s victory.
Final Words
The Bangladesh vs Afghanistan series 2023 included Test, ODI and T20 matches. First, Afghans lost the Test match against Bangladesh. Then in the ODI series, the Afghanistan team turned things around and won. After that, in the T20 matches, the Bangladesh team, led by Shakib, got revenge for their loss in the ODI series. Bangladesh won all the T20 matches against Afghanistan.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
1 year ago
Analysis of BAN vs AFG 1st T20I 2023
Bangladesh won by 2 wickets in the first T20 match of the series against Afghanistan. In response to the 155 runs target given by the Afghans, the Tigers reached the target with 1 ball in hand. Despite Afghanistan’s Karim Janat’s hat-trick in the last over, Tigers eventually left the field with a victory. Thus Shakib Al Hasan’s team took a 1-0 lead in the BAN vs AFG T20I series.
Afghanistan’s Batting Performance
Table: Afghanistan’s Top Performers
Player
Runs
Mohammad Nabi
54 (Not Out)
Azmatullah Omarzai
33
Najibullah Zadran
23
Read more: 1st T20I: Tigers leave it late but win despite Janat hattrick
After winning the toss, Shakib Al Hasan sent Afghans to batting. However, Afghanistan got its expected score. At the time of the toss, Afghan captain Rashid Khan said they were eyeing around 150 runs, and they scored 154 runs from 7 wickets.
Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were openers for Afghanistan. Even though they started slowly, the duo overcame the Bangladeshi bowlers in the second over. However, Zazai returned to the pavilion for 8 runs after being defeated by Nasum’s spin. Then Ibrahim Zadran came to the crease. Rahmanullah was sent to the pavilion in the fourth over of the match, as he was caught by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. He scored 16 runs with two boundaries and a six before being dismissed by Taskin. Later, Karim Janat came to the wicket to make a partnership with Ibrahim. However, the visitors did not get any benefit from that. Ibrahim, who achieved a remarkable century in the ODI, made his way back to the dressing room following his dismissal by Shoriful's fast bowling.
Afghanistan lost wickets at regular intervals, and they were under pressure. In 7.4 overs of the match, Tiger captain Shakib sent Karim Janat to the pavilion. Later, Nabi and Najibullah led the team’s innings and reduced some pressure; 35 runs come from this pair. However, Miraz broke their partnership. In the 13th over of the match, Najibullah was caught out by Liton in Miraz’s ball. He scored 23 runs before getting out. In the last minute of the match, Azmatullah Omarzai started scoring runs quickly with fours and sixes. However, he had to stop at 33 runs in Shakib’s spin. Then the Afghan captain Rashid Khan came to the wicket.
Read more: Overview of BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2023
Mohammad Nabi scored the fifth fifty of his T20 career by hitting Mustafizur for a boundary in 19.3 balls of the match. Then he added 1 more run. As a result, Nabi played a great innings of 54 runs when the team was struggling. The Afghans stopped at 154 runs.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Performance
Shakib Al Hasan used six bowlers, including himself, and all of them got at least one wicket. Nasum, Taskin, Shoriful, Mustafiz, and Miraz got one wicket each. Only Shakib Al Hasan got two wickets. Shakib, Taskin, and Mustafiz bowled four overs, while Nasum and Shoriful bowled 3 overs each. However, Miraz bowled 2 overs.
Bangladesh’s Batting Performance
Table: Bangladesh’s Top Performers
Player
Runs
Towhid Hridoy
47 (not out)
Shamim Hossain
33
Shakib Al Hasan
19
Read more: Bangladesh Women's team beat India in 3rd T20I
The host Bangladesh got a shock at the beginning when they came to bat. Rony Talukdar and Litton Das opened the innings for Bangladesh. However, Roni returned after being bowled at the last ball of the first over of the match. He scored 4 runs before being dismissed by Farooqi.
Then Najmul Hossain Shanto came to the crease to lead the team. He started to rotate the strike by understanding the behavior of the wicket. Further, Litton also tried to advance the team’s innings with Shanto. In the sixth over of the match, Shanto was unfortunately dismissed by Mujeeb after scoring 12 runs. After that, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan came to the wicket. Litton gave away the wicket before being partnered with Shakib. Litton scored 18 runs off 19 balls in this match.
After that, the Shakib-Hridoy duo continued to advance the team’s innings. However, Shakib returned to the pavilion after being caught by Karim on Fareed’s ball. The Tiger captain scored 19 runs in three boundaries.
Next, Shamim Hossain came to the pitch. As soon as he started batting, he fell into LBW but the umpire denied the appeal. Shamim-Hridoy took the team’s innings slowly after handling the pressure. This pair scored 73 runs. Shamim gave away his wicket on a wrong shot to bring the team to the edge of victory. He was caught by Gurbaz while sweeping Rashid’s ball. He had to stop at 33 runs.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Then Mehidy Hasan Miraz came to pitch. However, while playing Karim’s ball to midwicket, he was caught by Nabi. After that, Taskin and Nasum got out in the next two balls and Karim Janat got his hat trick. This turned the match into drama. However, Shoriful Islam took a boundary after coming to the wicket. As a result, the Tigers reached the target.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Performance
Rashid Khan used 7 bowlers, and all of them got wickets except Mohammad Nabi. Farooqi, Mujeeb, Azmatullah, Rashid, and Fareed got one wicket each. However, Karim Janat got a hat trick by bowling 1.5 overs.
Final Words
The second and last match of the 2023 BAN vs AFG T20I series will take place on July 16 at the same venue at the same time. The first match was very close for both teams. So, it is evident that both teams will take mental preparation to fight hard. But yesterday’s win will surely boost the tiger’s confidence.
Read more: Watch Live BAN vs AFG Series 2023 on Toffee: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI cricket series will be broadcasted live on Toffee app
1 year ago
Preview of BAN vs AFG 1st T20I 2023
After the completion of the ODI series in Chattogram, the players of Bangladesh and Afghanistan teams reached Sylhet to play two T20I matches. The BAN vs AFG T20I series will start on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. After that, the second T20I between Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be played on the same ground next Saturday, July 16, 2023. Both matches will start at 6 pm.
Preview of the 2023 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 1st T20I Match
The difference in strength and experience between the two teams is obvious in ODIs. But in T20I, Bangladesh should take Afghanistan seriously for various reasons. In this format, the two teams are almost equal in terms of strength, experience, and field success. Rather, Afghanistan should be put forward with some consideration.
The upcoming T20I series will mark Bangladesh's return to the format after their last match in March, where they secured a 2-1 home series victory against Ireland. Similarly, this series holds significance for Afghanistan as well, as it will be their first assignment since their impressive 2-1 series triumph against Pakistan in the UAE back in March.
The leadership role of the Bangladesh team will be in the hands of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, while the talented spinner Rashid Khan will be leading the Afghanistan side. This T20I series will mark the tenth and eleventh encounters between the two teams in this format, adding to their rivalry and history in T20I cricket. Further, Shakib Al Hasan's leadership will bring experience and strategic insight to the Bangladesh team, while his exceptional skills as an all-rounder will make him a key player in both the batting and bowling departments. On the other hand, Rashid Khan's captaincy will be backed by his immense talent as a world-class spinner, capable of turning the game in Afghanistan's favor with his exceptional spin variations and smart cricketing mind.
Read more: Overview of BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2023
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Head to Head: Who has Competitive Edge?
Table: Head to head T20 records between Bangladesh and Afghanistan So Far
Matches
Year
Winner
Score
Match 1
2014
Bangladesh won by 9 wickets
AFG: 72/10
BAN: 78/1
Match 2
2018
Afghanistan won by 45 runs
AFG: 167/8
BAN: 122/10
Match 3
2018
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets
BAN: 134/8
AFG: 135/4
Match 4
2018
Afghanistan won by 1 run
AFG: 145/6
BAN: 144/6
Match 5
2019
Afghanistan won by 25 runs
AFG: 164/6
BAN: 139/10
Match 6
2019
Bangladesh won by 4 wickets
AFG: 138/7
BAN: 139/6
Match 7
2022
Bangladesh won by 61 runs
BAN: 155/8
AFG: 94/10
Match 8
2022
Afghanistan won by 8 wickets
BAN: 115/9
AFG: 121/2
Match 9
2022
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets
BAN: 127/7
AFG: 131/3
Statistically, Afghanistan is far ahead of Bangladesh in this format. Afghans have won 6 times and Bangladesh 3 times out of nine matches. Afghanistan won easily in all of them. On the other hand, Bangladesh had to struggle to win. The two teams met twice in the bilateral series. They beat Bangladesh 3-0 at India in 2018.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh T20 Squad Analysis
Last year, the series between the two teams was tied 1-1. Afghanistan secured comfortable victories in the last two matches against Bangladesh, winning by 8 and 7 wickets respectively. However, it's worth noting that Bangladesh emerged victorious in two out of the last five matches between the two teams. In other words, out of the total three wins against the Afghans, the Tigers secured two in recent times.
Probable XI for Bangladesh against Afghanistan
Litton Das (wk), Najmul Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Afif Hossain, Rony Talukdar, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Probable XI for Afghanistan against Bangladesh
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Key Players of BAN vs AFG 1st T20I Match 2023
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)
While Shanto struggled in the last T20I series against Ireland, his performance in the T20I series against England was exceptional. He accumulated a total of 144 runs and played a crucial role in influencing the outcome of the matches, as evident from his impressive impact score of 153.2 across the three games. Shanto showcased his remarkable cricketing abilities and maintained an average impact of 51 per match. His contributions were magnificent in the success of the team against England. So, fans are expecting that he will return in his known form.
Read more: Watch Live BAN vs AFG Series 2023 on Toffee: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan cricket series will be broadcasted live on Toffee app
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of the team, played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's remarkable clean sweep against England. Moreover, he displayed excellent decision-making skills throughout the series against England. Shakib continued to impress during the Ireland series. In the second match, he delivered an outstanding performance by capturing 5 wickets while conceding a mere 22 runs in just 4 overs. This remarkable feat marks the second time he has taken 5 wickets in a T20I match, establishing it as one of his finest bowling displays.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Rashid Khan is now the best T20I bowler in the world. He took over the top spot from Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka because of his amazing performance in Afghanistan's 2-1 series victory against Pakistan in Sharjah. Rashid took three wickets while giving away very few runs in the match. This is a big achievement for Rashid Khan, and it shows how talented he is as a bowler in T20I cricket. And he will surely put pressure on Bangladeshi batsmen. Also, he has the career-best rating (816) against Bangladesh.
Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan)
Farooqi is the second-best T20I bowler after Rashid Khan, with a 692 rating. We have seen his tremendous performance in the recently concluded ODI series. So, he will surely keep shining in the T20I series too. Overall, he played 22 T20I matches and grabbed 26 wickets. He also took 5 wickets in the last T20I series against Bangladesh in 2022.
Ticket Price of 2023 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan T20I Match
The T20I match can be watched from the grandstand for BDT 1500. Apart from that, the clubhouse ticket price is BDT 500, and the Eastern Gallery ticket is BDT 300. Besides, you have to spend BDT 200 to sit and watch in the Western Gallery and Green Hill area.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Live 2023, where to watch: TV channels and live streaming | Playing XI
Final Words
After losing the ODI series, Bangladesh will certainly try to win the T20I series. However, both teams have talented players, and the series would be a great display of cricketing skills and strategies. Hence, we can expect a competitive fight in the BAN vs AFG 1st T20I.
1 year ago
Overview of BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2023
Afghanistan won the ODI series over Bangladesh by 2-1 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. This remarkable victory not only marked Afghanistan's first-ever series win in Bangladesh but also brought an end to a rare winning streak held by the Tigers. The recent defeat against Afghanistan in the ODIs marked only the third time that the Bangladesh men's team has experienced a series loss at home since 2015.
Best Performers in the 2023 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI Series
Although the Afghans dominated the first two matches, Bangladesh got a big win in the last ODI. But, few players from both teams have contributed significantly throughout the series.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI 2023
Table: Top performers in the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series
Player
Performance
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
173 runs
Ibrahim Zadran
142 runs
Litton Das
92 runs
Fazalhaq Farooqi
8 wickets
Shakib Al Hasan
4 wickets and 79 runs
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz's batting performance in the three-match ODI series was a mix of ups and downs. In the first ODI, he contributed with 22 runs from 44 balls, displaying a steady but conservative approach at the crease.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 2nd ODI 2023
However, his true potential shone through in the second ODI, where he delivered a breathtaking batting display. Gurbaz blazed his way to a phenomenal knock of 145 runs from just 125 balls, including an impressive tally of 13 boundaries and 8 sixes. This remarkable innings demonstrated his ability to dominate the opposition and score runs at a rapid pace.
Unfortunately, in the third ODI, Gurbaz could not replicate his previous form and managed only 6 runs from 22 balls.
Ibrahim Zadran
In the first ODI, he played a patient innings, scoring an unbeaten 41 runs from 58 balls before rain interrupted the match, depriving him of further opportunities to showcase his skills. However, he made a significant impact in the second ODI, crafting a remarkable century. Zadran showed his class and consistency by scoring 100 runs from 119 balls, providing a solid foundation for his team's total.
Read more: Tamim Iqbal's International Cricket Career Overview: Records and Achievements
Unfortunately, in the final ODI, he endured a brief stint at the crease, contributing just 1 run from 6 balls. However, his century in the second ODI was particularly noteworthy, showcasing his talent and potential as a valuable asset in the ODI format for Afghanistan.
Litton Das
Among all the Bangladeshi batters, Litton scored the highest runs combining three matches. His total score was 92 runs. In the first ODI, he played a brief innings, contributing a solid 26 runs from 35 deliveries.
The second innings was not good either; he scored 13 runs from 15 deliveries. However, it was in the third ODI where Das truly stood out, delivering an exceptional unbeaten knock of 53 runs from 60 deliveries. His innings played a vital role in guiding his team to victory, highlighting his temperament and skill in constructing an innings.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 1st ODI 2023
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Fazalhaq Farooqi displayed an impressive bowling performance throughout the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. In the first ODI, Farooqi made an immediate impact by bowling 8.4 overs and taking an impressive haul of 3 wickets. His economy rate of 2.76 highlighted his ability to restrict the opposition's scoring rate effectively. Later Farooqi continued his excellent form in the second ODI, too, bowling 7.2.
In the 3rd ODI, Farooqi once again proved to be a valuable asset to his team, as he picked up 2 wickets in his 5 overs.
Shakib Al Hasan
Although the overall performance of the team in the entire series was not up to expectations, Shakib Al Hasan was in perfect rhythm with the ball. This has also improved his ranking. Shakib took 4 wickets in 3 matches against Afghans. Among them, he took 1 wicket for just 9 runs in the first ODI, 2 for 50 runs in the second match, and 1 wicket for just 13 runs in 10 overs in the third match.
According to the latest rankings published on Wednesday, the left-arm spinner has climbed three places to the 10th position. His rating point is 618. Shakib also contributed 79 runs in three matches.
Overall Stats of 3 ODI Matches
Table: Overview of stats in the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series
Matches
Bangladesh
Afghanistan
1st ODI
169/9
83/2 Afghanistan won by 17 runs (DLS method)
2nd ODI
189/10
331/9 Afghanistan won by 142 runs
3rd ODI
129/3 Bangladesh won by 7 wickets (with 159 balls remaining)
126/10
Overall ODI Performance of Tigers in the Series Against Afghanistan
The overall performance of the Bangladesh cricket team in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan had its share of highs and lows. In the first ODI, Bangladesh's batting struggled as they lost wickets regularly and could only manage a total of 169 runs. Rain interruptions further hampered their progress, and the team couldn't put up a competitive fight. However, Towhid Hridoy's innings of 51 from 69 balls provided some stability amidst the batting collapse.
Read more: Women's T20I: India defend 95 to seal series win against Bangladesh
In the second ODI, Bangladesh once again faced a batting collapse, losing early wickets and finding themselves in a precarious position. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim attempted to save the innings, but their contributions were not enough to get a significant total. The team was eventually all out for 189 runs, with Mushfiqur Rahim's knock of 69 providing some hope.
In the third ODI, Bangladesh's bowling unit showcased their dominance as they restricted Afghanistan to a lowest total of 126 runs. Shoriful Islam's outstanding performance, taking four wickets for 21 runs, played a crucial role in dismantling the Afghan batting lineup. Shakib Al Hasan's economical bowling, conceding only 13 runs in his 10 overs, further boosted Bangladesh's dominance.
Overall ODI Performance of Afghanistan against Bangladesh
The overall performance of the Afghanistan cricket team in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh showcased some notable achievements as well as areas for improvement. Afghans showed their bowling skill in the first ODI while the rain stopped their batting innings. In the second ODI, Afghanistan's batting had a solid start, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran setting a record-breaking partnership of 256 runs, the highest for any wicket in Afghanistan's ODI history. However, the team faced a significant collapse after the openers were dismissed, losing 9 wickets for just 75 runs. Their final total of 331 runs for 9 wickets showcased their strong start but also highlighted a lack of stability in the middle and lower order.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh T20 Squad Analysis
In the third ODI, Afghanistan's batting faltered as they failed to capitalize on the strong start. The team put up a miserable batting performance, managing only 126 runs, the lowest team score against Bangladesh. Azmatullah Omarzai's innings of 56 runs was the only significant contribution, as other batsmen struggled to score. Fazalhaq Farooqi's bowling performance of two wickets stood out in an otherwise disappointing batting display.
Overall, while Afghanistan had moments of brilliance in their batting, particularly with the record-breaking partnership in the first ODI, they lacked consistency and stability throughout the series. The team will need to address their middle and lower-order batting concerns to ensure better overall performances in the future. Additionally, maintaining a balance between their batting and bowling strengths will be crucial for Afghanistan's success in upcoming tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup.
Final Words
Over the years, Bangladesh has established a tough record on their home turf, displaying remarkable dominance by clinching victories against renowned teams such as India, Pakistan, and South Africa. But, the 1-2 loss against the Afghans in the 2023 Ban vs AFG ODI Series has faded all those records of Bangladesh.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
1 year ago
Analysis of BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI 2023
Afghanistan cricket team have snatched the series from Bangladesh by winning two consecutive matches. The highly motivated and confident Afghans threatened to whitewash Bangladesh. But their innings were stopped at 126 runs in 45.2 overs at the Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. This is Afghanistan’s lowest-ever run against Bangladesh. Tigers won the 3rd ODI match of the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series in 23.3 overs, and they scored 130 for 3 wickets.
Bangladesh’s Performance
In the third and final ODI of the series on Tuesday, Afghanistan’s batsmen were crushed by the devastating skills of the Bangladeshi bowlers.Their innings ended at only 126 runs. Shoriful Islam, the left-arm pacer, destroyed the Afghan batting lineup. He took 4 wickets for 21 runs in his career-best bowling. Apart from this, despite taking 1 wicket, left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan gave only 13 runs in 10 overs.
There were three changes in the Bangladesh team. One pacer was reduced, and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was included in the starting XI. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful returned to the pace attack. The two pacers kept the pressure on Afghan batters from the beginning, and the success came quickly.
Shoriful had Ibrahim Zadran caught behind in the first ball of the third over of the innings. The left-hander forced Rahmat Shah to give a catch behind the wicket on the fifth ball of that over. The Afghans were in great trouble after losing 2 wickets for just 3 runs. Zardan scored one run, and Rahmat Shah went for zero.
Read more: Bangladesh end ODI series vs Afghanistan with comfortable win
After that, Taskin struck in the sixth over. He was caught behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz and sent him for 6 runs. However, for the Afghan’s, disaster was not over; Shoriful struck again in the ninth over. This time, Mohammad Nabi was LBW at his pace.
No Afghan batter could put up any resistance, and they lost 4 wickets for 15 runs. Najibullah Zadran scored 10 runs off 22 balls and was LBW by Shakib’s spin. However, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi tried to fight back; he returned to the pavilion as the sixth batsman with a team’s 53 runs. Shahidi was bowled by Taijul’s left-arm spin for 22 runs off 4 fours from 54 balls. Gradually Afghans lost 8 wickets for 89 runs.
Azmatullah Omarzai fought on the ninth wicket. He gave his career-best batting performance and made a partnership of 36 runs for the ninth wicket with Mujeeb Ur Rahman. After Mujeeb was dismissed for 11 runs, Omarzai also became Taskin’s second victim. But, before that, Omarzai got his first half-century. He was out for 56 runs off 71 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes. As a result, Afghanistan’s innings stopped at 126 runs with 28 balls remaining. Taskin and Taijul took 2 wickets each. And Shoriful took 4 wickets for 21 runs with 1 maiden in 9 overs. Earlier also he took 4 wickets twice in ODIs.
Among all the bowlers, Shakib was the most economical. He cost only 13 runs with 1 maiden in 10 overs. However, it is joint fifth in terms of economy rate for Bangladesh in ODIs. Shakib alone owns the top record for economical bowlers of Bangladesh in ODIs. Previously, Shakib took 4 wickets for just 8 runs in 7.2 overs against the West Indies in Mirpur in 2021 and 3 wickets for just 11 runs in 4 maidens in 10 overs against Zimbabwe in 2009 at the same venue.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 2nd ODI 2023
1 year ago