Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh
BAN vs AFG, 1st ODI

Preview 

A captivating clash awaits cricket enthusiasts as Bangladesh and Afghanistan prepare to engage in an exhilarating encounter in the 1st T20 match scheduled for July 14th. The stage is set at the iconic Sylhet District Stadium, where both teams will be keen on commencing the series on a triumphant note.

In their previous face-off, Afghanistan emerged victorious by a commanding 7-wicket margin. Bangladesh, having set a target of 127/7 in their allocated 20 overs, found themselves outclassed as Afghanistan comfortably chased down the total, reaching 131/3 in a mere 18.3 overs. The standout performer of that match was Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who showcased his prowess by claiming 3 pivotal wickets and rightfully earning the well-deserved Man of the Match award.

With the memory of their recent defeat still fresh in their minds, Bangladesh will be fueled by a burning desire to reverse their fortunes and seek redemption. They will heavily rely on the leadership and experience of players such as Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das, who will spearhead their charge and strive to post a more competitive total on the scoreboard. Additionally, Bangladesh will pin their hopes on their spinners, a formidable force in limited-overs cricket, to impose a significant threat to their opponents.

On the other hand, Afghanistan will enter the contest brimming with confidence following their recent success against Bangladesh. Their batting unit, led by the talented Hazratullah Zazai, will aspire to maintain their impressive form and dominate the opposition's bowlers. Supported by the likes of Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran, Afghanistan possesses a formidable middle order capable of wresting control of the game from any adversary.

The pitch at Sylhet District Stadium is anticipated to provide an equitable contest between bat and ball. The surface is expected to offer assistance to both spinners and pacers, ensuring an enthralling battle between the two sides. Furthermore, recent statistics reveal a slight advantage for the team batting second in T20Is at this venue, with the chasing team emerging victorious on 7 occasions. This trend suggests that the captain winning the toss might opt to field first and exploit the favourable conditions.

Overall, this encounter promises to be an intriguing battle between two fiercely competitive sides. Bangladesh, fueled by their determination to avenge their previous loss, will be eager to commence the series with a resounding victory. Conversely, Afghanistan, riding high on their winning momentum, will be determined to maintain their supremacy. Fans can anticipate a thrilling contest replete with towering sixes, tumbling wickets, and an abundance of excitement as these two teams vie for dominance in the dynamic T20 format.

Match Details

Match: BAN vs AFG, 1st T20I, Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh, 2023
Date: Friday, July 14, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM
Venue: Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet


Pitch and Weather Report

The track at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has proven to be quite challenging for the batters, presenting them with numerous difficulties in their batting efforts. Characterised by its slower nature, this pitch tends to favour spinners who will undoubtedly relish their time out on the field. As the match progresses, the pitch gradually slows down further, amplifying the challenges faced by batsmen. Moreover, the low bounce on this track adds another layer of complexity, making it exceptionally arduous for stroke players to execute their shots effectively.

Predicted Weather: 29°C°F

Precipitation: 100%

Humidity: 93%

Wind: 6 km/h

BAN vs AFG Squads

BAN: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Afif Hossain, Litton Das (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Rony Talukdar

AFG: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Zia-ur-Rehman, Wafadar Momand, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Sayed Shirzad, Nijat Masood

BAN vs AFG Probable Playing XIs

BAN: 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.

AFG: 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.

Match Prediction

Despite losing the final ODI tie, Afghanistan clinched the series. The visitors have shown promise with bat in hand and would try to continue their domination. Bangladesh on the other hand would be eager to forget the ODI disappointment and start afresh. We fancy the resilient Afghan side to draw first blood. 

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