BAN vs AFG 1st ODI: Match Preview, Pitch Report, Predicted XIs, Fantasy Tips, & Prediction
Taskin Ahmed is back from injury. [Twitter]
Bangladesh will host Afghanistan for a three-match ODI series with the First ODI taking place on Wednesday, July 5th at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Both the teams will look forward to getting the best use of this series in their preparation for the forthcoming Asia Cup and the marquee event in India later this year.
Team Preview
Bangladesh
Host Bangladesh secured a comfortable 2-0 victory against Ireland in their last outing in the 50-over format at Chelmsford back in May this year. Taskin Ahmed has recovered from his injury and made his way back into the squad. They will be further boosted by the return of skipper Tamim Iqbal and veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June.
Overall, Bangladesh has a good combination of young and experienced players in their unit. They will be looking to continue their winning momentum and kick-off the three match series with a win.
Afghanistan
Rashid Khan will be in action for Afghanistan. [Twitter]
Meanwhile, Afghanistan suffered a 2-1 defeat against Sri Lanka away from home in their last ODI appearance in June. They did manage to challenge the Lankans initially with a win in the first match but failed to sustain the winning momentum and went down in the remaining two matches. Moreover, they are coming on the back of a thrashing defeat in the one-off Test against Bangladesh in June and will look to make things even in the ODIs.
Star all-rounder Rashid Khan has returned to the squad for the ODI series after missing out the one-off Test last month with an injury. 19-year-old Izharulhaq Naveed has got his maiden ODI call-up as well. Overall, almost a full strength squad as the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led unit look to build the right combination ahead of the forthcoming Asia Cup and the World Cup.
Match Details
Date and Time: July 5, 1:30 PM IST
Venue: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
Live Streaming and Broadcast: FanCode App and Website
Pitch Report
The surface at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram is expected to be a balanced one. Both seamers and spinners will get assistance from the surface throughout the game. The batters can make runs once they are settled. The first innings score is expected to be around 250. The team winning the toss should bowl first.
Probable Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (C), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Afif Hossain, Ebadot Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Zia Ur Rahman
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper: Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rahmat Shah,
All-Rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, FazalHaq Farooqi, Taskin Ahmed
Captain: Shakib Al Hasan
Vice-Captain: Ibrahim Zadran
Prediction
Both the teams are looking pretty even and balanced on paper. However, Bangladesh should be able to edge out Afghanistan in this match considering them playing in their own backyard.
 "Kaushik Kashyap")
