This Saturday, all eyes will be on the Dharamsala Stadium as Bangladesh takes on Afghanistan in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Both teams are eager to prove themselves this tournament. Bangladesh, despite recent challenges, wants to show they’re still a force to reckon with. Meanwhile, Afghanistan aims to showcase they’re not just a flash in the T20 pan, especially after facing some ODI defeats.
Quick Look at Recent Games Bangladesh had a mixed bag in the lead-up matches. They secured a win against Sri Lanka but couldn’t find their groove against England, thanks to rain. Tanzid Hasan was their star, shining bright with an 84 against Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan played only one warm-up due to weather interruptions but beat Sri Lanka. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with a stellar 119, and Rahmat Shah, with a sturdy 93, stood out.
Past Encounters In past face-offs, Bangladesh has had the upper hand, winning 9 out of 15 games against Afghanistan. Their latest clash during the Asia Cup saw Bangladesh cruising to an 89-run victory, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto playing key roles.
Players to Watch Mehidy Hasan Miraz from Bangladesh continues to shine in these crucial times. His recent performances in the Asia Cup and warm-up games have been noteworthy. For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan, despite a few hiccups, remains their star player.
Expected Teams Bangladesh’s potential squad: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan ©, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Afghanistan might line up with: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi ©, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashd Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
What to Expect from the Pitch The Dharamsala ground is seamer-friendly initially, thanks to its high-altitude. However, as the day moves on, batters might enjoy their time. Spinners will likely have a say in the middle of the game. Considering the evening dew, batting first after winning the toss might be the way to go.
Who Might Win? While Afghanistan has some popular faces, Bangladesh, with their balanced team and seasoned players like Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah, might just have the upper hand in this encounter.
