After a thrilling opening match in the ICC World Cup 2023, where New Zealand emerged victorious against the reigning World Cup champions, the stage is set for a battle between two formidable teams. The 8th-ranked Bangladesh will lock horns with the 9th-ranked Afghanistan in the third ODI of the tournament, scheduled to be held at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on October 7th, starting at 10:30 am.
Both teams come into this game with contrasting performances in their warm-up matches. Afghanistan secured a convincing 6-wicket win against Sri Lanka, chasing down the target with 23 balls to spare. In contrast, Bangladesh had a mixed start, winning their first warm-up game against Sri Lanka by 7 wickets but facing a 4-wicket defeat against England in the second match.
However, Bangladesh suffered a setback ahead of the warm-up fixtures when their skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, injured his foot during a practice session. The good news for Bangladesh fans is that Shakib will be available for the crucial opening game against Afghanistan.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, has recalled key players Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai to strengthen their World Cup squad, both of whom were absent during the Asia Cup.
The two teams had clashed just last month in the Asia Cup, where Bangladesh registered a commanding victory by posting 334 runs on the board, thanks to remarkable centuries by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto. The Bangladeshi pace attack was also lethal, securing 8 wickets to secure an 89-run victory. This encounter produced the highest match aggregate (579) between the two teams in ODIs.
In terms of head-to-head statistics, Bangladesh has a favorable record, winning 9 out of 15 ODIs against Afghanistan. However, when it comes to World Cups, both teams have a victory each, making this clash even more intriguing.
Match Info
- Match: BAN vs AFG, 3rd Match, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
- Date: Saturday, October 07, 2023
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
Team Previews:
Bangladesh:
Bangladesh is currently experiencing a challenging season, with just 8 wins out of 20 games and 7 losses in their last 10 matches. They face the tough task of competing without their star opener, Tamim Iqbal, who is unavailable for the tournament. In his absence, Tanzid Hasan is set to open the innings alongside Litton Das, who boasts an impressive record against Afghanistan.
Mushfiqur Rahim, partnered with Litton Das, has a history of building substantial partnerships against Afghanistan. The middle order will rely heavily on Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who has been in excellent form with the bat recently. Captain Shakib Al Hasan, playing in his last World Cup, brings a wealth of experience to the side.
In the bowling department, the duo of Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed will lead the attack, having previously claimed 7 wickets against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan:
Afghanistan is going through a challenging phase, with 8 losses in their last 11 games. Despite this, a convincing win over Sri Lanka in the warm-up game has boosted their confidence. Key players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have been impressive, with both scoring centuries this year.
Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran add depth to the batting lineup, while the experienced Mohammad Nabi, playing in his last World Cup, provides both batting stability and a potent bowling option.
While Rashid Khan has faced a recent dip in form, his ability to turn up in crucial matches cannot be underestimated. Against Bangladesh, Rashid has an impressive record, claiming 19 wickets in 12 games.
Bangladesh Squad:
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed , Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Afghanistan Squad:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Rahman, Ikram Alikhil
Weather Conditions:
The weather is expected to be sunny, with temperatures ranging from 19 to 25 degrees Celsius. The pitch at Dharamshala traditionally favors fast bowlers, especially during the early hours of the match. It offers good bounce and carry to the wicketkeeper, making it suitable for bowlers who can extract movement off the seam.
Bangladesh ODI Stats and History
Total Match Played = 423
Won = 154
Loss = 259
No Result = 10
Tie = 0
Afghanistan ODI Stats and History
Total Match Played = 152
Won = 73
Loss = 74
No Result = 4
Tie = 1
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan head-to-head stats
Total Match Played = 15
Bangladesh won = 9
Afghanistan won = 6
No Result = 0
Venue Details:
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala has a capacity of 23,000 spectators and has hosted 1 Test, 4 ODIs, and 11 T20Is. Notably, India holds the record for the highest total (330) on this ground, while also posting the lowest total (112) in a different match.
Toss:
In four ODIs played at this venue, teams chasing have won three times, with the chasing side securing victories with six or more wickets in hand. Therefore, winning the toss and opting to bowl first seems to be the preferred strategy.
Prediction:
In the head-to-head battle, Afghanistan has won just one out of 15 ICC ODI World Cup games, with their sole victory coming against Bangladesh. However, considering both teams’ recent form, Bangladesh appears to have the upper hand. With a solid top order and potent bowlers, Bangladesh is in a strong position to clinch victory in this encounter.
If Bangladesh bats first, we can expect a high-scoring game. All eyes will be on Rashid Khan, who needs to find his form to challenge the Bangladeshi side effectively.
As the two teams prepare to face off in this crucial ICC ODI World Cup clash, cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly await an exciting contest between Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Today’s Match Prediction: Afghanistan
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