Tigers await tricky Afghans

Bangladesh national cricket team will return to the 50-over format after seven months as the Tigers will take on Afghanistan in the first one-day international of the three-match series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday.

The stadium is a lucky charm for Bangladesh as they have won 13 out of 20 games here, and in the last 10, they have lost only two. But it’s also a place of fond memory for the Afghans as it was where they beat Bangladesh by 224 runs in what was only their third Test.

While Afghanistan will look to gain confidence from that against a Bangladesh side that have lost only four ODIs at home in the last five years, the Tigers must be aware of the visitors who have been a tricky opponent for them.

Bangladesh have played eight ODIs against the Afghans, winning five and losing three. At home, they have lost two out of their four ODIs against Afghanistan, with the latest coming in 2016.

Bangladesh’s biggest fear in the series will be the Afghan spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. The wickets in Chattogram are likely to help the batsmen, as displayed during the Bangladesh Premier League, the quality of these spinners can cause the Tigers big trouble.

Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal, who is also returning to the international fray after 218 days, said they should focus on themselves rather than the opponent.

“They are probably one of the best spin bowling attacks around. We’ve played them before and done well against them, especially in ODIs.  There is no reason we can’t do it again. Rather than thinking about the opponent we should plan about our approach and our plan in terms of playing them,” he said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. Bangladesh have been preparing for Rashid as they brought in Aminul Islam Biplob and Rishad Hossain to help prepare for the Afghan leggie.

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is looking forward to taking inspiration from their famous Test win in Chattogram and doing well.

“I want to start from there (Test win in Chattogram). We have good memories here and took positive things from here. We will try to start it again from tomorrow,” he told the media on Tuesday.

Possible XI

Bangaldesh will see Mushfiqur Rahim return, and Yasir Ali Chowdhury is likely to debut as he went into the nets on Tuesday right after Mushfiq, an indication of him occupying the no. 5 position.

Bangladesh probable XI: Tamim Iqbal (C), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed

Afghanistan will see Mohammad Nabi back in the XI, and Gulbadin Naib may make an appearance.

Afghanistan probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Najibullah Zadran, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman