Asia Cup 2022: BAN vs AFG: Game Plan: Areas to target for Afghanistan against Bangladesh

Afghanistan team

After an emphatic win against Sri Lanka in the first match of the Asia Cup, Afghanistan will look to ensure their spot in the final four with a win against Bangladesh in their second match. 

Going into the match there are certain areas Afghanistan can target of the Bangla Tigers that might help them gain an advantage in the match. 

Target Area 1

Middle Order weakness against Wrist spin

Bangladesh will depend heavily on skipper Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad for their middle order batting efforts.  

Before moving ahead let us look at the records of these three players against wrist spinners in T20Is. 

Bangladesh Middle Order T20I Record in 2022

The table makes it clear that the Bangladesh middle order struggles against Right-arm wrist spin. So the biggest weapon for Afghanistan in the match will be Rashid Khan. Bring Rashid in against the Bangladesh middle order and attack, no matter the situation of the match. The wickets are bound to come if Afghanistan go in with the proper mindset. 

Target Area 2 

Mustafizur Rahman’s inconsistent form

Mustafizur Rahman will be the go to option for Bangladesh in the death overs. But he has been suffering from a lack of form recently. Mustafizur’s prime utilisation will be in the death overs. Let us have a look at the death overs career and recent records of the left arm pacer in the death overs. 

So, the prime bowler of the team is not at all in form. Afghanistan can look to take the attack to Mustafizur. If the main bowler fails to deliver it might derail the bowling performance of the whole team. 

Target Area 3

Lack of game time of the middle order

The mainstays of the Bangladesh order are the three experienced batters in Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad. But the biggest area of concern of the team will be that the three players have not had enough game time in 2022. 

So keeping in line with the first point, the best ploy for Afghanistan against the Bangladesh middle order will be to attack. Lack of game time might make the batters nervous and hence not letting them settle down in the middle should be the main agenda of the Afghanistan bowling. 

Also Read: #UnheardStories: Akshay Wadkar - The definition of dedication