Home ›› 30 Aug 2022 ›› Sport
Bangladesh national team will look to turn around their fortune in Twenty20 Internationals with the start of their Asia Cup campaign but will face a difficult opposition in their bid to do so.
Their opponents, Afghanistan, will be looking to continue their dominating start as they started the tournament with a eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka.
For Bangladesh, a win will put them a step towards qualification. For the Afghans, a win will ensure their place in the Super 4.
The Tigers should be wary of the Afghans, and not just because of their head-to-head record. Bangladesh have won just three out of their eight T20Is against Afghanistan, and the most recent two-match series between the sides ended 1-1.
Bangladesh have not had a good year in the shortest format so far. They have played eight matches and won just two.
Trying to change their fortune, the Bangladesh Cricket Board appointed Shakib Al Hasan as the new captain and brought in Sridharan Sriram as the technical consultant (de facto head coach), removing Russell Domingo.
Shakib, who will be playing his 100th T20I for Bangladesh on Tuesday, had earlier said that starting well in the tournament was important.
“It’s important to find our rhythm quickly. So, the first match is very important. We are eager to win the first match. If that happens, everything going forward will hopefully be positive,” he had said before Bangladesh started training in UAE.
The Tigers don’t have a fond memory of UAE as the last time they were in the country, they lost all five matches in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
But they have a new setup for this Asia Cup, and Sriram has already said he was focusing on a fresh start.
“I’m coming in with a fresh set of eyes. I carry no baggage. I’m bringing in my ideas and fresh energy, wanting to get the team together and start afresh,” he said.
He had also added that he was focusing on Bangladesh’s strengths.
“My focus is to be on their strengths and build on what they do really well. What we’ve not done well will take care of itself,” Sriram told the media.
Bangladesh will have a changed batting lineup in their match against Afghanistan as newly-appointed vice-captain Afif Hossain will bat at number four, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad following him. Mohammad Naim and Anamul Haque are set to open the innings.
For the bowling, skipper Shakib will lead the line along with Mustafizur Rahman, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, and Mohammad Saifuddin as his options.
Bangladesh's biggest concern will be their struggles at the top, and that they will have to face Fazalhaq Farooqi, who had wreaked havoc against them in a One-Day International match earlier this year.
Afghanistan’s biggest strength will be their spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. While Rashid was wicketless in the first match, it’s unlikely for him to do such for two matches.
Afghanistan are edging Bangladesh as the favourites for the win, but the Tigers will hope that they can go against the odds and ensure a victory to start the tournament on a good note.
