BAN vs AFG 2nd ODI Preview: Key Players And Stats, Live Streaming, Pitch Report, Probable XIs

Afghanistan celebrate a wicket. [Source: @ACBofficials/X]

The second ODI of Bangladesh’s tour of Afghanistan 2024 will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Having won the first match by 92 runs, another victory will hand the hosts their second consecutive ODI series victory against this opposition.

AFG vs BAN 2nd ODI: Match Details & Live Streaming

AFG vs BAN 2nd ODI: Afghanistan Eye Hat-Trick; Bangladesh Look To Avoid Series Loss

The margin of victory in the first ODI at the same stadium might signify a one-sided victory. Not that it wasn’t but Bangladesh did have their share of dominance across both the innings. However, the manner in which Afghanistan nulled Bangladesh’s lead more than once speaks highly of their current form.

On the brink of a series victory, it will be for the second time when they will be winning three bilateral ODI series in a row. While they had defeated Zimbabwe and Scotland across three series nine years ago, bettering all Test playing opponents such as Ireland, South Africa and Bangladesh throw light on their immense growth in international cricket.

Assuming it happens, it would also provide another reason as to why Afghanistan are considered a tougher opponent than Bangladesh in modern-day white-ball cricket.

Just when one thought Bangladesh would turn their historic Test series victory in Pakistan to their advantage, they followed it with losing the next eight matches across formats, oppositions and countries.

With the series on the line, former captain Mushfiqur Rahim, highest run-scorer in Afghanistan-Bangladesh ODIs, getting ruled out of the remaining two ODIs was the last development Bangladesh needed a week before beginning their tour of West Indies.

---

ALSO READ

Setback For Bangladesh! Mushfiqur Rahim To Miss Afghanistan ODIs Due To A Fracture

---

AFG vs BAN 2nd ODI Pitch Report: Sharjah Likely To Trouble Batters Yet Again

While Bangladesh picked all their nine wickets with the help of three fast bowlers on Wednesday, Afghanistan bundled out the opposing side on the back of three spinners dismissing nine batters and a pacer also contributing with a wicket.

Out of the 12 Sharjah ODI innings played this year, the ground has witnessed seven totals of less than 200. As a result, expect the second Afghanistan-Bangladesh ODI to also be dictated by the bowlers.

AFG vs BAN 2nd ODI: Key Players & Stats

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (453 runs at an average of 45.30 and a strike rate of 93.30) is among the Top 10 ODI batters in the last 12 months
• Mohammad Nabi (343 runs and 11 wickets) is Afghanistan’s third-highest run-scorer and joint-highest wicket-taker in ODIs played in the last 12 months. 
• Bangladesh haven’t lost eight matches on the trot in the last three years.

---

ALSO READ

[Watch] Mohammad Nabi Misses His Hundred As Taskin Traps Him With A Lethal Bouncer

---

AFG vs BAN 2nd ODI: Probable Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towrid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam/Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

AFG vs BAN 2nd ODI: Winner Prediction

As much as one doesn’t want to watch a dead-rubber on Monday, Afghanistan appear likely to put everyone in that position by winning the second ODI on November 9.