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Bangladesh Women's team beat India in 3rd T20I
Bangladesh Women's cricket team defeated India by four wickets in the third T20I held in Dhaka on Thursday.
Winning the toss, India chose to bat first and scored 102 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur scored the highest with 40 runs off 41 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues also contributed 28 runs off 26 balls. Rabeya Khatun took three wickets for Bangladesh, conceding 16 runs in four overs, while Sultana Khatun took two.
Also read: Women's T20I: India defend 95 to seal series win against Bangladesh
In reply, Bangladesh lost two wickets for just 16 runs, both taken by Minni Manu. Shamima Sultana and Nigar Sultana added 46 runs for the third wicket.
After Nigar was dismissed for 14, Shamima continued to hold the scorecard steady, ending with a score of 42. Bangladesh lost some quick wickets after her dismissal, but Nahida Akter and Ritu Moni managed to secure the win.
Also read: Harmanpreet's Fifty Guides India to Easy Win Over Bangladesh
Bangladesh successfully chased down the target in the 19th over with four wickets in hand.
India won the first two matches and sealed the series 2-1.
Preview of BAN vs AFG 1st T20I 2023
After the completion of the ODI series in Chattogram, the players of Bangladesh and Afghanistan teams reached Sylhet to play two T20I matches. The BAN vs AFG T20I series will start on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. After that, the second T20I between Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be played on the same ground next Saturday, July 16, 2023. Both matches will start at 6 pm.
Preview of the 2023 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 1st T20I Match
The difference in strength and experience between the two teams is obvious in ODIs. But in T20I, Bangladesh should take Afghanistan seriously for various reasons. In this format, the two teams are almost equal in terms of strength, experience, and field success. Rather, Afghanistan should be put forward with some consideration.
The upcoming T20I series will mark Bangladesh's return to the format after their last match in March, where they secured a 2-1 home series victory against Ireland. Similarly, this series holds significance for Afghanistan as well, as it will be their first assignment since their impressive 2-1 series triumph against Pakistan in the UAE back in March.
The leadership role of the Bangladesh team will be in the hands of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, while the talented spinner Rashid Khan will be leading the Afghanistan side. This T20I series will mark the tenth and eleventh encounters between the two teams in this format, adding to their rivalry and history in T20I cricket. Further, Shakib Al Hasan's leadership will bring experience and strategic insight to the Bangladesh team, while his exceptional skills as an all-rounder will make him a key player in both the batting and bowling departments. On the other hand, Rashid Khan's captaincy will be backed by his immense talent as a world-class spinner, capable of turning the game in Afghanistan's favor with his exceptional spin variations and smart cricketing mind.
Read more: Overview of BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2023
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Head to Head: Who has Competitive Edge?
Table: Head to head T20 records between Bangladesh and Afghanistan So Far
Matches
Year
Winner
Score
Match 1
2014
Bangladesh won by 9 wickets
AFG: 72/10
BAN: 78/1
Match 2
2018
Afghanistan won by 45 runs
AFG: 167/8
BAN: 122/10
Match 3
2018
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets
BAN: 134/8
AFG: 135/4
Match 4
2018
Afghanistan won by 1 run
AFG: 145/6
BAN: 144/6
Match 5
2019
Afghanistan won by 25 runs
AFG: 164/6
BAN: 139/10
Match 6
2019
Bangladesh won by 4 wickets
AFG: 138/7
BAN: 139/6
Match 7
2022
Bangladesh won by 61 runs
BAN: 155/8
AFG: 94/10
Match 8
2022
Afghanistan won by 8 wickets
BAN: 115/9
AFG: 121/2
Match 9
2022
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets
BAN: 127/7
AFG: 131/3
Statistically, Afghanistan is far ahead of Bangladesh in this format. Afghans have won 6 times and Bangladesh 3 times out of nine matches. Afghanistan won easily in all of them. On the other hand, Bangladesh had to struggle to win. The two teams met twice in the bilateral series. They beat Bangladesh 3-0 at India in 2018.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh T20 Squad Analysis
Last year, the series between the two teams was tied 1-1. Afghanistan secured comfortable victories in the last two matches against Bangladesh, winning by 8 and 7 wickets respectively. However, it's worth noting that Bangladesh emerged victorious in two out of the last five matches between the two teams. In other words, out of the total three wins against the Afghans, the Tigers secured two in recent times.
Probable XI for Bangladesh against Afghanistan
Litton Das (wk), Najmul Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Afif Hossain, Rony Talukdar, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Probable XI for Afghanistan against Bangladesh
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Key Players of BAN vs AFG 1st T20I Match 2023
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)
While Shanto struggled in the last T20I series against Ireland, his performance in the T20I series against England was exceptional. He accumulated a total of 144 runs and played a crucial role in influencing the outcome of the matches, as evident from his impressive impact score of 153.2 across the three games. Shanto showcased his remarkable cricketing abilities and maintained an average impact of 51 per match. His contributions were magnificent in the success of the team against England. So, fans are expecting that he will return in his known form.
Read more: Watch Live BAN vs AFG Series 2023 on Toffee: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan cricket series will be broadcasted live on Toffee app
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of the team, played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's remarkable clean sweep against England. Moreover, he displayed excellent decision-making skills throughout the series against England. Shakib continued to impress during the Ireland series. In the second match, he delivered an outstanding performance by capturing 5 wickets while conceding a mere 22 runs in just 4 overs. This remarkable feat marks the second time he has taken 5 wickets in a T20I match, establishing it as one of his finest bowling displays.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Rashid Khan is now the best T20I bowler in the world. He took over the top spot from Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka because of his amazing performance in Afghanistan's 2-1 series victory against Pakistan in Sharjah. Rashid took three wickets while giving away very few runs in the match. This is a big achievement for Rashid Khan, and it shows how talented he is as a bowler in T20I cricket. And he will surely put pressure on Bangladeshi batsmen. Also, he has the career-best rating (816) against Bangladesh.
Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan)
Farooqi is the second-best T20I bowler after Rashid Khan, with a 692 rating. We have seen his tremendous performance in the recently concluded ODI series. So, he will surely keep shining in the T20I series too. Overall, he played 22 T20I matches and grabbed 26 wickets. He also took 5 wickets in the last T20I series against Bangladesh in 2022.
Ticket Price of 2023 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan T20I Match
The T20I match can be watched from the grandstand for BDT 1500. Apart from that, the clubhouse ticket price is BDT 500, and the Eastern Gallery ticket is BDT 300. Besides, you have to spend BDT 200 to sit and watch in the Western Gallery and Green Hill area.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Live 2023, where to watch: TV channels and live streaming | Playing XI
Final Words
After losing the ODI series, Bangladesh will certainly try to win the T20I series. However, both teams have talented players, and the series would be a great display of cricketing skills and strategies. Hence, we can expect a competitive fight in the BAN vs AFG 1st T20I.
Overview of BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2023
Afghanistan won the ODI series over Bangladesh by 2-1 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. This remarkable victory not only marked Afghanistan's first-ever series win in Bangladesh but also brought an end to a rare winning streak held by the Tigers. The recent defeat against Afghanistan in the ODIs marked only the third time that the Bangladesh men's team has experienced a series loss at home since 2015.
Best Performers in the 2023 Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI Series
Although the Afghans dominated the first two matches, Bangladesh got a big win in the last ODI. But, few players from both teams have contributed significantly throughout the series.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI 2023
Table: Top performers in the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series
Player
Performance
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
173 runs
Ibrahim Zadran
142 runs
Litton Das
92 runs
Fazalhaq Farooqi
8 wickets
Shakib Al Hasan
4 wickets and 79 runs
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz's batting performance in the three-match ODI series was a mix of ups and downs. In the first ODI, he contributed with 22 runs from 44 balls, displaying a steady but conservative approach at the crease.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 2nd ODI 2023
However, his true potential shone through in the second ODI, where he delivered a breathtaking batting display. Gurbaz blazed his way to a phenomenal knock of 145 runs from just 125 balls, including an impressive tally of 13 boundaries and 8 sixes. This remarkable innings demonstrated his ability to dominate the opposition and score runs at a rapid pace.
Unfortunately, in the third ODI, Gurbaz could not replicate his previous form and managed only 6 runs from 22 balls.
Ibrahim Zadran
In the first ODI, he played a patient innings, scoring an unbeaten 41 runs from 58 balls before rain interrupted the match, depriving him of further opportunities to showcase his skills. However, he made a significant impact in the second ODI, crafting a remarkable century. Zadran showed his class and consistency by scoring 100 runs from 119 balls, providing a solid foundation for his team's total.
Read more: Tamim Iqbal's International Cricket Career Overview: Records and Achievements
Unfortunately, in the final ODI, he endured a brief stint at the crease, contributing just 1 run from 6 balls. However, his century in the second ODI was particularly noteworthy, showcasing his talent and potential as a valuable asset in the ODI format for Afghanistan.
Litton Das
Among all the Bangladeshi batters, Litton scored the highest runs combining three matches. His total score was 92 runs. In the first ODI, he played a brief innings, contributing a solid 26 runs from 35 deliveries.
The second innings was not good either; he scored 13 runs from 15 deliveries. However, it was in the third ODI where Das truly stood out, delivering an exceptional unbeaten knock of 53 runs from 60 deliveries. His innings played a vital role in guiding his team to victory, highlighting his temperament and skill in constructing an innings.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 1st ODI 2023
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Fazalhaq Farooqi displayed an impressive bowling performance throughout the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. In the first ODI, Farooqi made an immediate impact by bowling 8.4 overs and taking an impressive haul of 3 wickets. His economy rate of 2.76 highlighted his ability to restrict the opposition's scoring rate effectively. Later Farooqi continued his excellent form in the second ODI, too, bowling 7.2.
In the 3rd ODI, Farooqi once again proved to be a valuable asset to his team, as he picked up 2 wickets in his 5 overs.
Shakib Al Hasan
Although the overall performance of the team in the entire series was not up to expectations, Shakib Al Hasan was in perfect rhythm with the ball. This has also improved his ranking. Shakib took 4 wickets in 3 matches against Afghans. Among them, he took 1 wicket for just 9 runs in the first ODI, 2 for 50 runs in the second match, and 1 wicket for just 13 runs in 10 overs in the third match.
According to the latest rankings published on Wednesday, the left-arm spinner has climbed three places to the 10th position. His rating point is 618. Shakib also contributed 79 runs in three matches.
Overall Stats of 3 ODI Matches
Table: Overview of stats in the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series
Matches
Bangladesh
Afghanistan
1st ODI
169/9
83/2 Afghanistan won by 17 runs (DLS method)
2nd ODI
189/10
331/9 Afghanistan won by 142 runs
3rd ODI
129/3 Bangladesh won by 7 wickets (with 159 balls remaining)
126/10
Overall ODI Performance of Tigers in the Series Against Afghanistan
The overall performance of the Bangladesh cricket team in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan had its share of highs and lows. In the first ODI, Bangladesh's batting struggled as they lost wickets regularly and could only manage a total of 169 runs. Rain interruptions further hampered their progress, and the team couldn't put up a competitive fight. However, Towhid Hridoy's innings of 51 from 69 balls provided some stability amidst the batting collapse.
Read more: Women's T20I: India defend 95 to seal series win against Bangladesh
In the second ODI, Bangladesh once again faced a batting collapse, losing early wickets and finding themselves in a precarious position. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim attempted to save the innings, but their contributions were not enough to get a significant total. The team was eventually all out for 189 runs, with Mushfiqur Rahim's knock of 69 providing some hope.
In the third ODI, Bangladesh's bowling unit showcased their dominance as they restricted Afghanistan to a lowest total of 126 runs. Shoriful Islam's outstanding performance, taking four wickets for 21 runs, played a crucial role in dismantling the Afghan batting lineup. Shakib Al Hasan's economical bowling, conceding only 13 runs in his 10 overs, further boosted Bangladesh's dominance.
Overall ODI Performance of Afghanistan against Bangladesh
The overall performance of the Afghanistan cricket team in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh showcased some notable achievements as well as areas for improvement. Afghans showed their bowling skill in the first ODI while the rain stopped their batting innings. In the second ODI, Afghanistan's batting had a solid start, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran setting a record-breaking partnership of 256 runs, the highest for any wicket in Afghanistan's ODI history. However, the team faced a significant collapse after the openers were dismissed, losing 9 wickets for just 75 runs. Their final total of 331 runs for 9 wickets showcased their strong start but also highlighted a lack of stability in the middle and lower order.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh T20 Squad Analysis
In the third ODI, Afghanistan's batting faltered as they failed to capitalize on the strong start. The team put up a miserable batting performance, managing only 126 runs, the lowest team score against Bangladesh. Azmatullah Omarzai's innings of 56 runs was the only significant contribution, as other batsmen struggled to score. Fazalhaq Farooqi's bowling performance of two wickets stood out in an otherwise disappointing batting display.
Overall, while Afghanistan had moments of brilliance in their batting, particularly with the record-breaking partnership in the first ODI, they lacked consistency and stability throughout the series. The team will need to address their middle and lower-order batting concerns to ensure better overall performances in the future. Additionally, maintaining a balance between their batting and bowling strengths will be crucial for Afghanistan's success in upcoming tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup.
Final Words
Over the years, Bangladesh has established a tough record on their home turf, displaying remarkable dominance by clinching victories against renowned teams such as India, Pakistan, and South Africa. But, the 1-2 loss against the Afghans in the 2023 Ban vs AFG ODI Series has faded all those records of Bangladesh.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Analysis of BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI 2023
Afghanistan cricket team have snatched the series from Bangladesh by winning two consecutive matches. The highly motivated and confident Afghans threatened to whitewash Bangladesh. But their innings were stopped at 126 runs in 45.2 overs at the Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. This is Afghanistan’s lowest-ever run against Bangladesh. Tigers won the 3rd ODI match of the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series in 23.3 overs, and they scored 130 for 3 wickets.
Bangladesh’s Performance
In the third and final ODI of the series on Tuesday, Afghanistan’s batsmen were crushed by the devastating skills of the Bangladeshi bowlers.Their innings ended at only 126 runs. Shoriful Islam, the left-arm pacer, destroyed the Afghan batting lineup. He took 4 wickets for 21 runs in his career-best bowling. Apart from this, despite taking 1 wicket, left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan gave only 13 runs in 10 overs.
There were three changes in the Bangladesh team. One pacer was reduced, and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was included in the starting XI. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful returned to the pace attack. The two pacers kept the pressure on Afghan batters from the beginning, and the success came quickly.
Shoriful had Ibrahim Zadran caught behind in the first ball of the third over of the innings. The left-hander forced Rahmat Shah to give a catch behind the wicket on the fifth ball of that over. The Afghans were in great trouble after losing 2 wickets for just 3 runs. Zardan scored one run, and Rahmat Shah went for zero.
Read more: Bangladesh end ODI series vs Afghanistan with comfortable win
After that, Taskin struck in the sixth over. He was caught behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz and sent him for 6 runs. However, for the Afghan’s, disaster was not over; Shoriful struck again in the ninth over. This time, Mohammad Nabi was LBW at his pace.
No Afghan batter could put up any resistance, and they lost 4 wickets for 15 runs. Najibullah Zadran scored 10 runs off 22 balls and was LBW by Shakib’s spin. However, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi tried to fight back; he returned to the pavilion as the sixth batsman with a team’s 53 runs. Shahidi was bowled by Taijul’s left-arm spin for 22 runs off 4 fours from 54 balls. Gradually Afghans lost 8 wickets for 89 runs.
Azmatullah Omarzai fought on the ninth wicket. He gave his career-best batting performance and made a partnership of 36 runs for the ninth wicket with Mujeeb Ur Rahman. After Mujeeb was dismissed for 11 runs, Omarzai also became Taskin’s second victim. But, before that, Omarzai got his first half-century. He was out for 56 runs off 71 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes. As a result, Afghanistan’s innings stopped at 126 runs with 28 balls remaining. Taskin and Taijul took 2 wickets each. And Shoriful took 4 wickets for 21 runs with 1 maiden in 9 overs. Earlier also he took 4 wickets twice in ODIs.
Among all the bowlers, Shakib was the most economical. He cost only 13 runs with 1 maiden in 10 overs. However, it is joint fifth in terms of economy rate for Bangladesh in ODIs. Shakib alone owns the top record for economical bowlers of Bangladesh in ODIs. Previously, Shakib took 4 wickets for just 8 runs in 7.2 overs against the West Indies in Mirpur in 2021 and 3 wickets for just 11 runs in 4 maidens in 10 overs against Zimbabwe in 2009 at the same venue.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 2nd ODI 2023
Bangladesh end ODI series vs Afghanistan with comfortable win
From the fear of suffering a clean sweep, Bangladesh ended the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan with a comfortable win by seven wickets on Wednesday in Chattogram.
Bangladesh bowled exceptionally well in this match and restricted Afghanistan to 126 runs. And later they chased down the target in 23.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.
However, with the defeats in the first two matches, the Tigers lost the series 2-1. It was their first-ever ODI series defeat against Afghanistan.
Women's T20I: India defend 95 to seal series win against Bangladesh
Afghanistan won the toss in this match and opted to bat first. But they failed to replicate the batting performance that they showed in the second match when they scored 331 runs at the same venue.
Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam was extraordinary in the middle. He bagged three early wickets— Ibarahim Zadran, Rahman Shah, and Mohammad Nabi. Taskin Ahmed, on the other end of the wicket, scalped Rahmanullah Gurbaz who hit a ton in the previous game.
Afghanistan were stuttering, losing four wickets inside the first 10 overs.
Afghanistan Elect to Bat First, Bangladesh Make Three Changes
Azmatullah Omarzai scored a fifty for Afghanistan. He ended up on 56 while Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 22.
For Bangladesh, Shoriful bagged four wickets while Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam took two wickets each.
Preview of BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI 2023
In reply, Bangladesh lost Mohammad Naim quickly for a duck. But Litton Das hit an unbeaten 53 and guided the team to a big win. Shakib Al Hasan also contributed well with 39 off 39 balls.
Now both teams will take on each other in a three-match T20I series in Sylhet starting on July 14th.
Bangladesh v Afghanistan: Tigers aiming to avoid clean sweep
Women's T20I: India defend 95 to seal series win against Bangladesh
In the second T20I of the India Women's tour of Bangladesh, India emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter, defending their total of 95/8 against Bangladesh, securing a narrow eight-run win.
Bangladesh needed 12 runs off 14 balls with five wickets in hand, but collapsed and were bowled out for 87 off the last ball of their allotted 20 overs.
Winning the toss, India elected to bat first but faced early setbacks as Smriti Mandhana (13) and Shafali Verma (19) departed in quick succession. Jemimah Rodrigues (8) struggled to find her rhythm, and the Indian batting lineup found it difficult to accelerate, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Also read: Harmanpreet's Fifty Guides India to Easy Win Over Bangladesh
Deepti Sharma (10) and Amanjot Kaur (14) provided some stability, but the Indian innings never gained significant momentum.
Sultana Khatun was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, claiming three crucial wickets conceding 21 runs in four overs, while Fahima Khatun took two wickets.
Chasing a modest target, Bangladesh got off to a shaky start, losing Shamima Sultana (5) and Shathi Rani (5) early on.
Also read: Afghanistan Elect to Bat First, Bangladesh Make Three Changes
Nigar Sultana (38) tried to steady the ship but struggled to find support from the other end. The Indian bowlers, led by Minnu Mani (2/9) and Deepti Sharma (3/12), maintained a disciplined line and length, picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Bangladesh's lower order failed to contribute significantly, and despite Nigar Sultana's determined effort, they fell short of the target, getting bowled out for 87 in 20 overs. Shafali Verma (3/15) made crucial breakthroughs for India.
The last match of the T20I series will take place on July 13th at the same venue. After the T20I series, they will take on each other in a three-match ODI series.
Also read: Ebadot ruled out of remaining Afghan fixtures
Afghanistan Elect to Bat First, Bangladesh Make Three Changes
In their quest for a historic clean sweep over Bangladesh, Afghanistan have won the toss and chosen to bat first in the third and final ODI of the series in Chattogram.
Bangladesh has made three changes to their playing XI. Ebadot Hossain, who suffered a knee injury in the last match, along with Mustafizur Rahman and Hasan Mahmud, have been replaced by Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Taijul Islam.
Read: Bangladesh v Afghanistan: Tigers aiming to avoid clean sweep
Afghanistan has also made two changes for this match. Their star spinner, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Saleem have been rested, making way for Abdul Rahman and Zia-ur-Rehman, who will be making their ODI debuts.
In the previous match, Afghanistan batted first and posted a total of 331 runs. Bangladesh failed to chase it down, resulting in their first-ever ODI series defeat to Afghanistan.
In the first match, Bangladesh lost by 17 runs under the DL Method, with rain interruptions throughout the game.
Read: Preview of BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI 2023
Following the conclusion of the ODI series, both teams will face off in a three-match T20I series in Sylhet.
Bangladesh (Playing XI):
Mohammad Naim, Litton Das (c), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (w), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam.
Afghanistan (Playing XI):
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Zia-ur-Rehman.
Read: Harmanpreet's Fifty Guides India to Easy Win Over Bangladesh
Bangladesh v Afghanistan: Tigers aiming to avoid clean sweep
Despite their initial intention to win the series, the hosts find themselves on the verge of a clean sweep against Afghanistan, with one match remaining.
On Tuesday, Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in the final match of the series, determined to avoid a clean sweep.
In the first match, Bangladesh suffered a 17-run loss under the DL Method. In the second match, they struggled to chase Afghanistan's formidable total of 331 runs, failing to prove their mettle against Afghanistan's quality bowling attack featuring Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Assistant coach Nic Pothas drew comparisons between Rashid, Mujeeb, and former cricket stars Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne, emphasizing the challenge they pose to the Bangladeshi batters.
Read: Preview of BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI 2023
From young Towhid Hridoy to veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, the entire lineup has struggled against Afghanistan's spin attack.
“They have been playing cricket around the world,” Nic said on Monday. “It’s a like a dream for any captain to have them in the team. If they get the ball they can do something for the team.”
Avoiding a clean sweep has become the primary challenge for Bangladesh, as Afghanistan has never achieved this feat against them in ODIs.
The Bangladesh team must approach the last ODI with caution and focus to secure a victory. However, Pothas believes the team's professional players do not require any additional effort.
“I don’t think we have to do anything extra. We are talking about professional cricketers. They are ready (to do their job),” he said.
Read: Ebadot ruled out of remaining Afghan fixtures
Meanwhile, Hamid Hasan, the bowling coach of Afghanistan, expressed confidence in their team's performance so far, highlighting Fazalhaq Farooqi's bowling as a key factor in their dominance.
He also said that the bowling attack will play a vital role in Afghanistan’s success in the World Cup, which is scheduled later this year in India.
Following the ODI series, both teams will clash in a three-match T20I series in Sylhet, with matches scheduled for July 11th, 14th, and 16th at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Preview of BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI 2023
The current one-day cricket series against Afghanistan is not going well for the Bangladesh cricket team. The first one-day match of the series was interrupted by rain. Bangladesh lost by 17 runs in this match by the Duckworth Lewis method. After that, even though the captain was changed, it was not possible to change the fate of the Tigers. Bangladesh lost again in the second match by 142 runs. Afghanistan and Bangladesh will play the last match of the 2023 BAN vs AFG series on July 11 in Chattogram.
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI 2023 Preview
In the last decade, Bangladesh has played aggressive ODI cricket at home. The Tigers have only lost a series against England since June 2014. But this time, Bangladesh lost the series to Afghanistan. Afghans have won the series by keeping one match in hand in the ongoing ODI series in Chattogram. Now they want to whitewash Bangladesh.
In the second ODI match, the Tigers chose to field after winning the toss against Afghanistan in Chattogram on Saturday. Afghanistan’s two openers played outstanding innings and set a challenging target of 332 runs for Bangladesh. The Afghans also completely destroyed Bangladesh's batting order. With consecutive wickets falling, the Tigers reached a combined score of 189 runs. Ultimately, Afghanistan secured a convincing victory, winning by a margin of 142 runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored a phenomenal century, was named the man of the match.
Ebadot Hossain is out of BAN vs AFG Series 2023
Ebadot was injured during the second ODI against Afghanistan. That knee injury knocked Ebadot Hossain out of the entire Afghanistan series. He is not in the squad for the third ODI in Chattogram as well as Sylhet’s three-match T20 series. The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed the matter in a circular on Sunday.
Read more: Ebadot ruled out of remaining Afghan fixtures
However, according to Muzadded Alpha Sany, the physiotherapist of the Bangladesh team, the initial assessment of the player’s injury suggests that it is not severe. They anticipate that it will take approximately two weeks to fully recover. Ebadot will undergo rehabilitation during this period.
Bangladesh’s Predicted Playing XI for 3rd ODI
Litton Das (c), Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Bangladeshi Key Players from Previous Game of 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series
Player
Performance
Mushfiqur Rahim
69 runs
Shakib Al Hasan
25 runs and took 2 wickets
Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI for 3rd ODI
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ahmed, Azmatullah Omarzai.
Read more: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 2nd ODI 2023
Afghanistan’s Key Players from Previous Game of of 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI Series
Player
Performance
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
145 runs
Ibrahim Zadran
100 runs
Fazalhaq Farooqi
3 wickets
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
3 wickets
Pitch Report
The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, Bangladesh, is renowned for its bowling-friendly pitch. Spin bowlers, in particular, find support from the pitch. In terms of ODI matches, the highest average score for the team batting first at this venue is recorded at 225 runs. Therefore, winning the toss on this field may prompt the team to choose bowling first. However, this tactic did not work in the last match. Afghanistan’s batting was extraordinary in the last match. In the last five games, the team chasing the target has emerged victorious in four instances. The batting conditions pose a challenge at the beginning of the game but tend to improve as the match progresses.
Predictions about the 2023 BAN vs AFG 3rd ODI Match
Hosts Bangladesh will be aiming for a victory in the third and final ODI of the three-match series against Afghanistan in order to save their pride. Their performance in the second ODI was dismal, suffering a crushing defeat, marking their largest loss against Afghanistan. Despite the off-field controversies surrounding the team, they must regroup and deliver an improved performance in this crucial match. On the other hand, Afghanistan will be determined to seal the series 3-0 and will be looking to dominate their opponents.
After winning the last two games, Afghanistan has maintained an edge over Bangladesh in recent encounters. The outstanding form of their opening batsmen adds to their team’s confidence. The Bangladeshi camp appears to be dealing with various issues, making it interesting to see if the hosts can overcome these challenges and prevent a whitewash. However, the Afghans surely have a competitive edge in this series, and their winning probability in the last match is very high. Still, we are expecting a close game.
Read more: Harmanpreet's Fifty Guides India to Easy Win Over Bangladesh
Final Words
From the beginning, Bangladesh has been considering the 2023 BAN vs AFG ODI series as preparation for the upcoming World Cup. But this outcome was not expected at all. In the last two matches, Bangladesh’s top order failed miserably. So, the Tigers will need to focus on the top order to get the expected outcome.
Ebadot ruled out of remaining Afghan fixtures
The Bangladesh cricket team has suffered a setback as fast bowler Ebadot Hossain has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI match and then the T20I series against Afghanistan due to a left knee injury.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the news on Sunday.
Ebadot sustained the injury during the second ODI match against Afghanistan, which took place on Saturday.
An MRI scan revealed that the injury is not major, but it will require a recovery period of approximately two weeks, according to team physio Muzadded Alpha Sany.
Regarding the injury, Sany stated, "The MRI suggests that this is not a major injury. We expect him to recover in about two weeks. He will remain with the team as he undergoes rehabilitation."
Bangladesh has faced defeat in both ODIs played against Afghanistan in the ongoing series, marking Afghanistan's first-ever ODI series win against Bangladesh. On July 11th, Bangladesh will take the field, aiming to avoid a clean sweep.