ODI
ICC World Cup 2023: Preview of BAN vs. AFG ODI
Bangladesh is set to begin their ICC World Cup 2023 journey by facing off against South Asian rival Afghanistan today (October 7). The clash between these two teams, both representing Asia, is scheduled to take place at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala at 11 am Bangladesh time. Let’s see what to expect from this Bangladesh vs Afghanistan World Cup match.
Preview of BAN vs. AFG ODI in ICC World Cup 2023
In recent years, Bangladesh has emerged as a powerful contender in white-ball cricket, boasting an impressive 47% win rate in 2023 (matches with no result were not counted). Nevertheless, their performance has experienced a slight decline in the past few months.
Table: Bangladesh's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
Matches
Win
Loss
No Result
20
8
9
3
This year, Bangladesh played 20 matches in total and won 8 of them while losing 9 matches. However, three matches came out with no result.
Read more: Tamim opted to stay out of Bangladesh's World Cup squad: Mashrafe
Further, Bangladesh faced elimination in the Super Four stage of the recent Asia Cup and encountered a setback with a 2-0 loss against New Zealand in the lead-up to the current event. Despite these challenges, their victory against India in the Asia Cup highlights that the Tigers should not be underestimated at any point.
Heading to the World Cup 2023, Bangladesh has a tough batting lineup, relying on it to counter the spin-heavy Afghan bowling attack. Key batsmen include Najmul Hossain Shanto, who showcased brilliant form in the Asia Cup 2023, partnering with Litton Das as the opening duo.
Read more: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How to Watch Online, Predicted XI
Towhid Hridoy has solidified his position as a dependable middle-order batsman, complemented by the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim in the lower order. The team features two outstanding all-rounders, Shakib Al-Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, known for their impactful contributions across all facets of the game.
In the spin department, Mahmudullah is likely to join the ranks. Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed, both in good bowling form, will support Mustafizur Rahman in the bowling department, while Hasan Mahmud might secure a spot as the fourth bowler. The collective strength of this well-rounded squad positions Bangladesh as a challenging force in the upcoming matches.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
On the other hand, Afghanistan's track record in the World Cup has been less than satisfactory, securing victory in only one out of the 15 matches played across their two appearances. In the last edition, they came remarkably close to defeating teams such as India and Pakistan. However, their relative lack of experience on the grand stage led them to surrender to pressure in critical moments.
Nevertheless, the Afghan players bring valuable experience from their participation in T20 leagues worldwide, providing them with a notable advantage. Afghanistan is particularly renowned for its spin-bowling options.
The crucial figure in the team's bowling lineup is Rashid Khan. With an impressive track record in the IPL and a deep understanding of Indian conditions, Khan is sure to play a crucial role in this match. Supporting him in the spin department are Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
While batting has historically been a vulnerable aspect for Afghanistan, the opening pair of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz has displayed excellent form in recent months, aiming to provide the team with a robust start. The middle order comprises Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Najibullah Zadran, whose consistency in scoring runs will be essential in this BAN vs AFG World Cup match.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
This year, Afghanistan played 11 ODI matches so far and won three of them. Two of the wins came against Bangladesh and one against Sri Lanka.
Table: Afghanistan's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
Matches
Win
Loss
No Result
11
3
8
0
So, regarding experience and performance, the Tigers are ahead of the Afghans.
Bangladesh and Afghanistan stats in ICC ODI World Cups So farSo far, Bangladesh appeared in 7 ICC World Cups, including the 2023 tournament. Among these, the 2007 and 2015 World Cups were quite successful for them. Bangladesh reached Super Eights in 2007 and reached the quarter-finals in 2015. And they were eliminated in the group stage in 1999, 2003, 2011, and 2019.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
On the other hand, the Afghans began their World Cup appearance in 2015 and appeared in another one in 2019. In these two World Cups, Afghanistan played 15 matches and won only one game against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup.
Table: Bangladesh and Afghanistan stats in ICC ODI World Cups
Team
Appearances
Total Matches Played
Wins
Losses
No Result
Bangladesh
1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
42
14
25
3
Afghanistan
2015, 2019, 2023
15
1
14
0
Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Bangladesh and Afghanistan met in 15 ODI matches, and Bangladesh won 9 matches, while Afghans emerged victorious in 6 matches. However, in the World Cup, Bangladesh faced the Afghans two times and won both of the matches.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Table: BAN vs. AFG Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Matches
Bangladesh Won
Afghanistan Won
No Result
15
9
6
0
Probable Bangladesh XI
Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Probable Afghanistan XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq.
Read more: Rabbithole's World Cup package just Tk60 for Nagad customers
Bangladeshi Players to Watch
Najmul Hossain Shanto
The Bangladeshi top-order batsman has had an outstanding year, beginning with a memorable Bangladesh Premier League. This year, in 2023, Shanto played 15 matches and scored 698 runs, which could have been increased if he was not injured in the Asia Cup 2023.
Shakib Al Hasan
Appearing in the 2007 World Cup first, Shakib Al Hasan’s World Cup record filled with 1146 runs and 34 wickets from 29 matches. And in 2023, Shakib maintained his impressive performance. In the 16 ODI matches he played this year, he accumulated 549 runs, achieving the highest score of 93 runs and securing five half-centuries. Additionally, he showcased his bowling skill by taking 14 wickets across these 16 matches, with his best bowling figures being 4/35.
Towhid Hridoy
Towhid Hridoy has displayed admirable form in recent matches. In the current year, he participated in 17 matches, scoring a total of 518 runs with an impressive strike rate of 86.33. Hridoy first garnered attention with notable performances, scoring 82 and 54 runs in the 2023 Asia Cup. So, he will surely have some impact on the Afghans.
Read more: Banglalink to Livestream ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with Unbeatable Internet Offers and World-Class Streaming Experiences
Afghan Players to Watch
Ibrahim Zadran
The Afghan opener has been the standout batsman for his team in the current year, accumulating 478 runs from 11 innings at an impressive average of 47.8. Teaming up with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, he has established a formidable opening partnership for the Afghan team. So, we might see Zadran’s tremendous performance in the next match.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
He is among the more aggressive batsmen in the Afghan lineup and complements his partner Zadran effectively. His notable strength lies in his attacking approach, showcasing the ability to unleash shots right from the outset, thereby putting opposing bowlers under pressure. This year, he scored 376 runs from 11 matches.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Farooqi is anticipated to be Afghanistan's key bowler in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. He has stood out as their leading wicket-taker over the last two years, securing 32 wickets from 14 innings while maintaining a bowling average of 27.5.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
Final Words
Statistically, Bangladesh has a competitive edge over Afghanistan. However, in recent times, Afghans have been fighting back and getting positive results. Considering the recent and historical performance, Bangladesh has a great chance to win the BAN vs. AFG ICC World Cup 2023 match.
Read more: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
ICC World Cup starts today (October 5, 2023), and Bangladesh announced the squad on September 26. While other nations revealed their squads early, Bangladesh was the final team to make the announcement.
The day before the announcement of the World Cup team, a midnight meeting took place at the residence of the BCB president. Speculations regarding Tamim Iqbal's fitness in the media, and decisions involving Hathurusingha and Shakib Al Hasan all unfolded in a dramatic manner. In this intense situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board revealed the final Cricket World Cup team, notably without the experienced batsman Tamim.
Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad
Heading into the 2023 World Cup, Bangladesh is positioned as the underdog; however, they possess the capability to challenge the tournament favourites. Throughout this year, their performance in ODIs has been respectable, securing eight victories out of 20 matches, and one didn’t have a winner. Before the Asia Cup 2023, the captaincy responsibilities were handed over to Shakib Al Hasan, a decision prompted by Tamim Iqbal's fitness concerns.
Now that Tamim Iqbal is left out of the World Cup, fans are not seeing the Tamim-Litton pair in the opening. However, the absence of Tamim may not hamper Bangladesh’s performance. This year, Tamim Iqbal played 11 ODIs for Bangladesh and scored 283 runs. He did not have a significant contribution in most of the matches. His highest score in 2023 was 69 runs against Ireland at Chelmsford on May 14, 2023. Since Bangladesh is starting the World Cup with a balanced team, Tigers can do well without Tamim.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
The change in leadership could prove beneficial for the Bangladeshi team, considering Shakib's standing as arguably the best player in the squad. Renowned for leading from the front with his exceptional all-rounder skills, the veteran is expected to bring a fighting spirit to the team in the upcoming competition. Under their stylish all-rounder, Bangladesh aims to show some power against other tough opponents.
Bangladesh has landed in India for the 2023 World Cup with a well-balanced squad. The team comprises a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, a combination that holds potential advantages. The veterans like Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah take charge and motivate emerging talents such as Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud to deliver their best for the team.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
Strengths
Bangladesh remains competitive in cricket due to its proficient spin-bowling attack. Shakib Al Hasan's dual role as an all-rounder provides a crucial balance, particularly with his strategic bowling. Supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the team benefits from a blend of off-break and left-arm spin. Shakib's experience, especially in Indian conditions, and impressive World Cup track record make him pivotal for key matches in subcontinental settings.
Weakness
Heading to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, several teams, including Bangladesh, are dealing with injuries. Ebadot Hossain, a key fast bowler for Bangladesh, has been sidelined due to a significant knee injury, posing a substantial setback. Despite the team's management expressing the desire to include Tamim Iqbal in the squad, a persistent back injury has ultimately prevented his inclusion in the final lineup.
The Tigers' passionate displays are admirable, but their ability to control emotions during critical moments is crucial. Past controversies, like animated celebrations and verbal conflicts, raise concerns.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
Also, Bangladesh occasionally lacks a winning mentality, exemplified by Shakib Al Hasan's prior comment. Shifting towards a confident belief in winning, rather than a defensive approach, is vital for success in the upcoming games.
Key Players in Bangladesh ODI World Cup 2023
Shakib Al Hasan
In the 2019 World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan emerged as a standout performer, picked by many people as the unofficial player of the Tournament. He consistently surpassed fifty in seven out of eight innings, achieving two centuries. Remarkably, he became the first cricketer to score 500 runs and take 10 wickets in a single top-level ODI tournament.
Shakib also continued his performance in 2023. This year, he played 16 ODI matches so far and scored 549 runs with the highest runs of 93 and 5 fifties. He also took 14 wickets from 16 matches with 4/35 best bowling score. So, the Bangladesh team will greatly depend on Shakib’s performance as an all-rounder and a captain.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
25-year-old all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is an important member of the Bangladesh team. He has shown that he has the ability to play big innings when given a chance by scoring a century to open the Afghanistan match in the Asia Cup. And he is a proven name with the ball. So far, he has played 82 ODI matches for Bangladesh and grabbed 91 wickets with 4/25 best bowling innings. So, Miraz has a good chance to do some magic.
Towhid Hridoy
Despite his recent debut, Hridoy is swiftly becoming a prominent figure in Bangladesh cricket. Across various series and tournaments, he consistently makes an indelible mark with his remarkable talent. As an under-19 World Cup winner in 2020, he played a crucial role in steering Bangladesh towards its dream of winning the World Cup.
Towhid Hridoy has been impressive in the latest matches. This year, he played 17 matches and scored 518 runs with an 86.33 strike rate. Hridoy came to the limelight after his 82 and 54 runs in the 2023 Asia Cup. However, he could not give his best in the New Zealand series in September 2023. But, still, Towhid can change the game in top order.
Read more: Banglalink to Livestream ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with Unbeatable Internet Offers and World-Class Streaming Experiences
Taskin Ahmed
This year, Taskin appeared in 10 innings and grabbed 21 wickets. His tremendous performance in the Asia Cup 2023, taking 9 wickets from 4 matches, made him one of the players to watch in the 2023 World Cup. Notably, the 28-year-old fast bowler played a great role in Bangladesh's triumph against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2023, delivering an impressive performance with bowling figures of 4 for 44 in 8.3 overs. However, Taskin got 1 wicket in the World Cup match against Against se.
Final Words
The Bangladesh cricket squad possesses considerable talent and the potential to make a strong showing in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Nonetheless, there have been instances where the team appears to lack unity. If each player maximizes their individual talents, Bangladesh stands a chance of causing an upset in the tournament.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
The 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will be the 13th edition of the Cricket World Cup, a quadrennial One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament contested by men's national teams and organized by ICC. The tournament will be hosted by India, beginning on 5 October and concluding on 19 November 2023. While tickets for most of the matches have been sold out, fans can watch the tournament of the year from anywhere in the world on TV as well as online. Here are the live streaming and telecast details of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Live Streaming Online: Where and How to Watch from all countries
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Broadcast And Live Streaming In India
Star Sports Network in India will telecast the ODI World Cup 2023 matches live. Cricket fans can tune into the following channels:
Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD , Star Sports 1 HINDI , Star Sports 1 HINDI HD , Star Sports 1 TELUGU , Star Sports 1 TELUGU HD , Star Sports 1 TAMIL , Star Sports 1 TAMIL HD , Star Sports 1, KANNADA
Read more: Rabbithole's World Cup package just Tk60 for Nagad customers
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In Afghanistan: Ariana TV
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In Bangladesh: Gazi TV
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In Australia: Fox Sports
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
ICC World cup Live Streaming in New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Pakistan: PTV, ARY
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Singapore: StarHub
UK ICC World cup Live Streaming in Sky Sports
ICC World cup Live Streaming in USA: ESPN+ Willow
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Canada: Willow TV
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Caribbean Islands: ESPN Caribbean
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Central & South America and Mexico: ESPN
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Hong Kong: PCCW
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan: Star Sports
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Malaysia: MEASAT
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Middle East and North Africa: Etisalat
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
ODI World Cup 2023 Official Broadcasters
In England, Sky Sports will broadcast the ODI World Cup 2023 matches on linear and digital. In Afghanistan, all the matches will be telecast on Ariana TV, while in Bangladesh, the matches of the Tigers will be broadcast on Gazi TV.
In Pakistan, the World Cup 2023 matches will be broadcast on live television by PTV and ARY. In Sri Lanka, the World Cup fixtures will be shown by Maharaja TV. Sky Sports NZ in New Zealand will broadcast the matches, while Fox Sports will showcase the matches in Australia on both linear and Kayo.
ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Teams And Format
The 10 teams - India, England, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Netherlands will play against each other once in a single round-robin format.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
ICC World Cup 2023 kicks off tomorrow
The long-awaited ICC World Cup 2023 is set to kick off tomorrow (October 5, 2023) with a highly anticipated clash between reigning champions, England, and runner-up, New Zealand, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ten teams from across the globe will compete in this year’s Cricket World Cup, with five teams from Asia. India, a passionate cricketing nation, is playing host to what is anticipated to be the most memorable World Cup in history.
Hundreds of millions of fans worldwide are expected to follow the World Cup through television broadcasts and streaming platforms, while hundreds of thousands more will witness the action live from the grounds in various states across India.
Tigers arrive in Dharamshala for their first World Cup encounter
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India is considered one of the top contenders for the title, along with defending champions England and the formidable New Zealand. Pakistan and Australia are also strong challengers on the road to the championship.
West Indies and Zimbabwe, two Test-playing nations, failed to make it to the World Cup.
Bangladesh boasts a formidable squad, led by Shakib Al Hasan, entering the tournament as the number one ODI all-rounder, for this edition of the Cricket World Cup.
Total absence from warm-ups fuels concern over Shakib's fitness
The Bangladesh squad is a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talents. Alongside Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim is set to participate in his fifth World Cup. Litton Das, Mustafizur Rahman, and Taskin Ahmed bring their wealth of World Cup experience to form a formidable force.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, Bangladesh suffered a home series loss to New Zealand, marking their first defeat to the Blackcaps on home soil in 15 years. The Tigers, however, secured a victory in their first official warm-up match against Sri Lanka before falling short in the second match against England.
Bangladesh will kick off their campaign against Afghanistan on October 7 in Dharamshala. Subsequently, they will face England at the same venue on October 10.
During the round-robin phase, Bangladesh is scheduled to play a total of nine matches in the World Cup. Following these matches, the top four teams with the highest points will progress to the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will vie for the championship on November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Bangladesh fall to England in final warm-up before World Cup
Some big matches:
While every match in the World Cup holds immense significance, certain matchups are expected to draw heightened attention from fans:
- England vs New Zealand on October 5 in Ahmedabad
- India vs Australia on October 8 in Chennai
- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka on October 10 in Hyderabad
- Australia vs South Africa on October 12 in Lucknow
- India vs Pakistan on October 14 in Ahmedabad
- India vs Bangladesh on October 19 in Pune
- Australia vs Pakistan on October 20 in Bengaluru
- India vs New Zealand on October 22 in Dharamsala
- South Africa vs Bangladesh on October 24 in Mumbai
- Australia vs New Zealand on October 28 in Dharamsala
- Bangladesh vs Pakistan on October 31 in Kolkata
- New Zealand vs Pakistan on November 4 in Bengaluru
- England vs Australia on November 4 in Ahmedabad
- Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka on November 6 in Delhi
- Bangladesh vs Australia on November 11 in Pune.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Taskin ruled out of 3rd ODI, Khaled gets another shot
Despite an impressive debut, right-arm pacer Khaled Ahmed was initially omitted from the Bangladesh ODI squad in favor of senior player Taskin Ahmed, who was rested. However, within 24 hours, Taskin was sidelined due to illness, paving Khaled's return for the third and final ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand on Tuesday.
Asia Games Cricket: Bangladesh women win bronze beating Pakistan by 5 wickets
Along with Khaled, left-handed batter Afif Hossain has also been recalled to the national team for the third ODI, rejoining after being rested for the first two matches against the same opponent.
The first match of the series was washed out due to heavy rain. However, New Zealand secured a memorable win in the second match, marking their first ODI victory in Bangladesh in 15 years.
Now, the visitors have the opportunity to clinch the series if they emerge victorious in the last match on Tuesday.
Litton rested, Shanto to lead Bangladesh in 3rd ODI vs New Zealand
In the absence of regular captain Shakib Al Hasan and vice-captain Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh in the third ODI against New Zealand. This will mark his first time leading the Bangladesh senior side in an international outing.
BAN vs NZ ODI Series: Tamim and Litton may sit out the final match
Bangladesh squad for third New Zealand ODI: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Afif Hossain.
Bangladesh Opt to Bowl First in First ODI Against New Zealand
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl first in the opening match of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Dhaka on Thursday (September 21, 2023).
Immediately after the toss, rain interrupted play, leading groundsmen to cover the wickets. But within a few minutes, the sun came out, and the covers were removed.
Read: Litton Wants Tamim and Mahmudullah to Rediscover Joy in Their Game
Regular Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is absent from this series. Litton Das is leading the side in his place.
In this match, Bangladesh included Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad, Soumya Sarkar, and Nurul Hasan, none of whom were part of the Bangladesh team in the Asia Cup held in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Lockie Ferguson is captaining New Zealand in this series.
Read: BAN vs NZ ODI Series 2023: Bangladesh Squad Analysis
This series presents an opportunity for Bangladesh to fine-tune their World Cup squad. It's particularly significant for Mahmudullah and Soumya, who have a chance to showcase their capabilities for the upcoming World Cup.
Bangladesh XI: Litton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah Riyad, Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Nurul Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman.
New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Will Young, Chad Bowes, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson (capt), Trent Boult.
Read more: Sriram Reappointed as Technical Consultant for Bangladesh Team
New Zealand's stand-in captain embraces Bangladesh challenge
Every time a team like New Zealand visits Bangladesh, the local conditions take centre stage in discussions. The New Zealanders, who arrived in Dhaka later last week, anticipate conditions different from what they are accustomed to at home.
However, Lockie Ferguson, the stand-in captain of the Blackcaps, expressed minimal concern about the conditions. Instead, he eagerly anticipated embracing the challenge Bangladesh presents.
On his first visit to Bangladesh, the New Zealand captain had his first media interaction today in Dhaka's Mirpur.
New Zealand cricket team's Sept tour: All ODIs to be held in Dhaka
Ferguson believes that the seasoned players who have previously played in Bangladesh will provide valuable insights into the conditions and other nuances. They also have an advantage with the former Bangladesh coach, Shane Jurgensen, now part of New Zealand's coaching staff.
"We will certainly lean on Jurgensen and a few of our players who were here a couple of years ago in terms of understanding how the pitch plays," Ferguson emphasised. "The conditions are slightly different from what we experienced in England (in their last series). I enjoy playing in the subcontinent."
Has Mahmudullah's international career in cricket come to an end?
Similarly, several members of the New Zealand squad are preparing to step on to the field in Bangladesh for the first time.
The New Zealand captain expressed that Bangladesh's spin attack could play a pivotal role in this series, presenting a significant challenge for those new to the Bangladesh terrain.
"Bangladesh is undoubtedly formidable in their home conditions. Hopefully, the rain holds off, but I'm curious to see how the pitch fares tomorrow and throughout this series," he remarked.
According to him, New Zealand's spinners may need to assume the role of wicket-takers in this series. However, he didn't discount the potential contributions of the pacers.
"I've seen some highlights from here when England visited, and there were still some favourable conditions for pacers. That's when the change-ups become more crucial," he added. "Given the high humidity, the ball tends to swing. We're known for our swing bowling, and I'm confident we'll capitalise on that tomorrow."
Saying Goodbye to the Wickets: Stuart Broad Ends His Cricketing Odyssey
For both Bangladesh and New Zealand, this series presents a final opportunity to fine-tune their squads ahead of the upcoming World Cup later this year. Some players in the New Zealand team are not part of the World Cup squad. Nonetheless, the stand-in captain sees this series as a chance for them to solidify their positions within the setup.
"There's been considerable rotation within international cricket over the past few years, creating more opportunities for them. Undoubtedly, they'll seize this opportunity wholeheartedly this week," added the stand-in captain of the Kiwis.
BAN vs NZ ODI Series 2023: Bangladesh Squad Analysis
Bangladesh could not perform well in the recently ended Asia Cup 2023. Shakib Al Hasan’s team will play at home against New Zealand to regain their confidence before the World Cup 2023. The New Zealand team has already reached Dhaka to play the three-match ODI series. BAN vs NZ series will start on September 21, 2023. All the matches will start at 2 pm Bangladesh time at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Bangladesh Squad for Bangladesh vs New Zealand ODI Series 2023
Litton Das (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Rishad Hossain and Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Analysis of Bangladesh Squad Against New Zealand
Bangladesh has made the strategic decision to give a break to several key players during the initial two ODIs against New Zealand. Bangladesh Cricket Board aims to maintain the top players’ physical fitness for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Read more: 'Dil Jashn Bole': ICC releases World Cup 2023 Anthem
Experienced players Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah have been included in the squad for the initial two ODIs. Their return will surely add valuable depth to the squad, and the selectors can decide if these two should be selected for the World Cup.
Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam are being given rest by the cricket board. This means that when the series starts next Thursday, we will see some new faces on the field. Since Shakib is on rest, Litton Das will be the captain of the Bangladesh cricket team. Some other players, like Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, and Mohammad Naim, were dropped from the squad. Instead, Soumya Sarkar and Nurul Hasan, along with three new and uncapped players, Zakir Hasan, Rishad Hossain, and Khaled Ahmed, have been selected to join the team. So, the upcoming series gives the selectors a chance to see how some other players perform before the World Cup and see if any hidden gem comes out.
It can be said that the team has a mix of both experienced and young players. Among them, only Zakir, Khaled, and Rishad haven’t played in ODIs yet. Zakir almost got a chance to play against Ireland in March, but he got injured. Khaled has shown good performance in List A cricket, and Rishad brings something unique to the bowling strategy.
Read more: Nic Pothas Steps in as Bangladesh's Interim Coach in Chandika's Absence
On August 3, Tamim stepped down from his role as Bangladesh’s ODI captain. He also mentioned that he wouldn’t be playing in the Asia Cup because he needed time to recover from several injuries, and now he is back.
Mahmudullah is making a comeback to the team after his last ODI series against England in March. He was given a break initially during the Ireland series in March-April but was later not selected for the away series against Ireland in Chelmsford in May. Additionally, he was also left out of the ODIs against Afghanistan and didn’t play in the Asia Cup.
However, Soumya Sarkar’s selection is quite unexpected because he has been struggling with his performance for a while now. It was even surprising when he was picked for the Bangladesh A team in the recent Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams tournament. However, even at that level, he managed to score only 95 runs in three innings, which isn’t considered a strong performance.
Read more: BAN vs NZ ODI Series: Tigers seek solutions to persistent issues
Additionally, Bangladesh will be without Ebadot Hossain, who has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a recent knee surgery earlier this month. Furthermore, Najmul Hossain Shanto will also be absent from the New Zealand series due to a hamstring injury he sustained after participating in just two games during the Asia Cup.
Among the new and uncapped players, Zakir, Rishad, and Khaled have all represented Bangladesh in various forms of cricket but have not played in ODIs yet. Zakir, who usually opens the batting, has an average of 29.92 after playing 103 List A matches. Rishad, who is only 21 years old, has participated in just three List A matches and made his T20I debut against Ireland earlier this year. Khaled, who is nearly 31 years old, is a medium-pace bowler with 64 List A wickets in 47 games. He has also played 12 Test matches for Bangladesh.
Read more: New Zealand's stand-in captain embraces Bangladesh challenge
Key Players to Watch in the Bangladesh Squad
Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Tanzim Hasan Sakib is a recent addition to the Bangladesh cricket team. He did great on his ODI debut against India in the last match of the Asia Cup Super Four round. He managed to take two important wickets of Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma and showed his skills before the 2023 World Cup. The speedster was a member of the Bangladesh Under-19 team that won the 2020 World Cup in South Africa. So, he will definitely get all the attention in this series.
Tawhid Hridoy
He has been performing well and scoring consistently ever since he made his T20 debut, and he also did pretty well in the Asia Cup. He scored 158 runs with 82 high scores and 68.69 strikes from five appearances in the Asia Cup. Further, his 54 runs off 81 balls contribution against India gave Bangladesh a good fighting chance. So, it is expected he will keep shining in the New Zealand series, too.
Mahmudullah
Mahmudullah was missed greatly in the Asia Cup 2023 as Bangladeshi top orders failed miserably, and there were no stable players to play in the middle orders. Mahmudullah could have contributed to those situations. So, fans will be looking to his performance in this series and see if he can give his best to be included in the World Cup squad. Overall, Mahmudullah played 218 ODIs for Bangladesh and scored 4950 runs with a highest score of 128 runs.
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Nasum Ahmed
Nasum Ahmed can be a great pick for the middle order. While he did not get much chance to show his talent, he got attention in the last match against India. He scored 44 runs from 45 balls while batting at number 8. His bowling performance was also satisfactory. Although he did not get any wickets in the Asia Cup, his economy rate was 4.05 after bowling 20 overs. So, he will surely try to prove himself in both batting and bowling.
Final Words
This New Zealand series is an ideal opportunity to check the alternative players for the World Cup while giving the regular players rest. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken the opportunity perfectly. Now, we have to wait until the series ends on September 26 to see the outcome. This BAN vs NZ ODI series is considered as preparation for the World Cup 2023. Hence, the Tigers’ performance in this series will give us an idea about their performance in the World Cup.
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Asia Cup 2023 Final Preview: India or Sri Lanka — Who Will Win?
Sri Lanka has reached the Asia Cup 2023 final after dramatically knocking out Pakistan on Thursday night. In the exciting final, Sri Lanka will compete against India on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 3:30 pm. The IND vs SL match will be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Preview of IND vs SL Asia Cup 2023 Final Match
India secured their spot in the top two by winning a thrilling match against Sri Lanka in the Super Fours. This victory also ended Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the Asia Cup Final 2023. The defending champions, Sri Lanka, managed to defeat Pakistan in a rain-affected Super Fours game, earning their place in the final as well.
However, India’s loss to Bangladesh in the last match of the Super Four Round might reduce their confidence a bit. But, some of the game changers of India, such as Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav, were on rest to give their best in the final. So, India will surely come back stronger with the top players.
In the last match of the Super Four Round, India won the toss and sent Bangladesh to bat first. Bangladesh set a target of 266 runs for India. Chasing a target of 266 runs, India were bowled out for 259 runs with 1 ball to spare. They needed 12 runs in the last over with 1 wicket in hand. But they could not reach the target. Bangladesh beat India by 6 runs on Friday at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, secured the final by beating Pakistan in their last Super Four Round match. Sri Lanka won the breathtaking ODI match in the last ball. Because of rain, the game was shortened to 42 overs. Pakistan batted first and managed to score 252 runs while losing 7 wickets. In reply, Sri Lanka reached victory by losing 8 wickets.
Now, the defending champions and India are waiting for Sunday’s final. So far in this tournament, India lost one match, and that was against Bangladesh. On the other hand, Sri Lanka lost one match against India in the Super Four. It is expected that both teams will join the final with their best players, as there is no injury report.
Read more: Tigers aim for a memorable end to their Asia Cup campaign by facing India
Predicted XI for India
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Predicted XI for Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Matheesha Pathirana.
India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup Final Head to Head
This is not the first time that India and Sri Lanka are meeting in the Asia Cup Final. Previously, they met 7 times in the final in 1988, 1990-91, 1995, 1997, 2004, 2008 and 2010. Among these seven appearances, India won four times in 1988, 1990-91, 1995, and 2010. Sri Lanka won three times in 1997, 2004 and 2008.
India vs Sri Lanka Overall ODI Head to Head
In ODI cricket, India and Sri Lanka have played against each other 166 times. Out of these 166 matches, India has won 97 times, while Sri Lanka has won 57 times. There were 11 matches that didn’t have a clear result, and 1 match ended in a tie.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues
Key Indian Players to Watch in Asia Cup Final 2023
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has been consistent throughout this Asia Cup and finally got his desired century against Bangladesh. He scored 121 runs from 133 balls in a critical situation for India. This week, Indian opener Shubman Gill has moved up two spots to reach the second position in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings for batters. He earned this recognition for his outstanding batting performance during the Asia Cup 2023. Shubman scored 275 runs in five innings with an impressive average of 68.75. This includes two half-centuries and one century in his name. So, India will greatly depend on his batting knock in the Final.
KL Rahul
Rahul made a comeback to the Indian team after being sidelined for almost three months due to multiple injuries. After his return, he scored a century in his first appearance in the Asia Cup against Pakistan in Super Four. After that, Rahul scored 39 runs against Sri Lanka and 19 runs against Bangladesh. It seems the long absence from the field did not hamper his performance, and he came back stronger. So, we may see a better performance this time against Sri Lanka.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep was the top bowler against Sri Lanka in the last match. He took four wickets with a 4.52 economy rate. Seemingly, his bowl worked better at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, as he also took five wickets at the same venue against Pakistan. Since the final will be at the same venue, we may see another brilliant performance from Kuldeep.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
Key Sri Lankan Players to Watch in Asia Cup Final 2023
Kusal Mendis
Kusal has scored 253 runs from five innings in this Asia Cup and has two centuries and a half century. However, Kusal scored 15 runs against India in the Super Four round match. So, this time, Kusal should be looking to put his best in the final. Moreover, he is also incredible in wicketkeeping, as he took 8 catches.
Sadeera Samarwickrama
Sadeera Samarwickrama is currently the third highest run-scorer in the tournament, with a total of 215 runs in five innings. However, in the match against India, he only scored 17 runs. So, Sadeera is surely looking for a great knock in the final. Overall, Sadeera has played in 22 matches and has scored a total of 615 runs. His highest score is 93, which came against Bangladesh in this Asia Cup. He has an impressive strike rate of 90.57 in this tournament.
Matheesha Pathirana
This 20 year old wonder is the top wicket taker in this Asia Cup. So far, he took 11 wickets. He got at least one wicket in each match of the tournament except against India. In his appearance against India, Matheesha bowled 4 overs with a 7.75 econ rate, which resembles an average performance from him. He might be looking for a better performance in the final and remain the top wicket takers.
Read more: Bangladesh's probable squad for ICC ODI World Cup 2023
Final Words
India seems to have an advantage over Sri Lanka on paper because they have a stronger team with better players. However, India should not underestimate Sri Lanka as in the previous encounter in the Super Four stage of the tournament, India were very close to losing against the Lankans. While both teams are strong contenders, India still has a better chance to win the IND vs SL Asia Cup Final 2023.
Read more: Bangladesh beat India in Asia Cup after 11 years
Preview of India vs Bangladesh ODI in Asia Cup 2023
The 2023 Asia Cup is approaching the final, with the last match of the Super Four stage between India and Bangladesh. While India was dominant throughout the tournament, Bangladesh is eager to conclude their continental campaign with a big win. This highly anticipated IND vs BAN clash is set for this Friday, September 15, 2023, at 3:30 PM at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Preview of IND vs BAN ODI in Asia Cup 2023
Since this game won’t affect the trophy race, and the Indian team will have only one day of rest before the finals, it’s likely that the Indian team management will opt to rest some key players.
Shreyas Iyer, who was sidelined in India’s last two matches due to a back spasm, is anticipated to be fit for this upcoming game. Meanwhile, the experienced fast bowler Mohammad Shami may step in for Jasprit Bumrah to ensure Bumrah’s fitness for the crucial final match.
The head coach of the Tigers, Chandika Hathurusingha, had previously announced that there would be no team practice during a three-day break from September 10 to the 13. Two key Bangladeshi players, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim, have temporarily left the squad to attend to family matters in Dhaka. While Shakib will join the squad, Mushfiqur Rahim will be absent from the Asia Cup Super Four match against India on Friday. Bangladesh Cricket Board has granted him an extension of leave to be with his newborn child and family.
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Bangladesh’s performance in the Super Four stage has fallen short of the high expectations of their fans. Unfortunately, they have been eliminated from the tournament. The dreams of achieving their first continental championship have diminished for skipper Shakib Al Hassan’s team, especially after suffering losses in their first two Super Four matches.
Their big 89-run victory over Afghanistan in the group stage, which secured their place in the Super Four, stands as their sole triumph in this tournament. The Tigers are now hoping for a positive result in their final Super Four match before they prepare to host New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting on September 21. In the other two Super Four matches, Sri Lanka won over Bangladesh by 21 runs, and Pakistan won by 7 wickets.
On the other hand, India is approaching their final Super Four match as the only team in the tournament that remains undefeated. The Men in Blue delivered an impressive 228-run victory over their arch-rivals, Pakistan, during the Super Four stage. They followed this up with a successful defense of 213 runs against Sri Lanka, which they won by 41 runs.
Despite not being able to complete a full 100-over game in the group stages, the seven-time Asian champions have now played on the R. Premadasa Stadium field for three consecutive days. They are now looking forward to a brief break before stepping onto the field against Bangladesh.
Read more: Mushfiqur Rahim to Miss Super Four Clash Against India
Predicted XIs for India
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj.
Predicted XIs for Bangladesh
Mohammad Naim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed.
IND vs BAN Head to Head ODI Matches So Far
Despite a strong effort from the Bangladesh team, India has consistently held the upper hand in this rivalry. The Men in Blue maintain a commanding lead in the head-to-head record, with an impressive 31 victories out of 39 encounters, while the Bangladesh Tigers have managed to secure victory only seven times thus far. One match had no result.
Read more: Wellalage’s all-round show in vain as India clinch low-scoring affair vs Sri Lanka
Key Indian Players to Watch
Rohit Sharma
The 36-year-old Indian captain is presently at the top of the run-scoring leaderboard, scoring 194 runs at an impressive average of 64.66. In his latest match against Sri Lanka, he reached the significant milestone of 10,000 runs in ODI cricket. Although he has scored half-centuries three times in this tournament, Rohit has not yet managed to score his first century. He will be eager to achieve this milestone in the remaining two innings before the tournament concludes.
Virat Kohli
In his remarkable innings against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup, Kohli surpassed the milestone of 13,000 runs in ODI, becoming the fifth player in men’s ODIs to achieve this remarkable feat. However, he scored only three runs in the next match against Sri Lanka. But his excellent batting against Pakistan resembled his comeback. So, Kohli might repeat that performance against the Tigers.
KL Rahul
Indian batsman K.L. Rahul achieved a century during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Pakistan at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Monday. He returned to the Indian side after a nearly three-month absence due to multiple injuries and reached the century mark by hitting a double off Naseem Shah’s delivery. So, Rahul will be looking for another good score in the next match to make his position permanent in the team. Overall, KL Rahul played 56 matches for India and scored 2136 runs, which includes 6 centuries.
Read more: India clinch historic victory against Pakistan by a staggering 228-run margin
Key Bangladeshi Players to Watch
Taskin Ahmed
Bangladeshi captain will assign crucial responsibility to Taskin, aiming to stop the star-studded Indian top-order, which has been dominating pacers throughout this ongoing competition. Taskin Ahmed shares the distinction of being the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup 2023, having taken nine wickets from four innings. The 28-year-old fast bowler played a pivotal role in their victory over Afghanistan, recording impressive bowling figures of 4 for 44 in 8.3 overs. He is expected to be a key factor in the success of the Bangladesh team.
Shakib Al Hasan
Captain Shakib Al Hasan is yet to give his best performance in this Asia Cup 2023. However, he played his role well as the captain. But overall, his batting and bowling performance has been dimmed recently. So, fans can expect one last performance before returning to home. So far, he scored 93 runs and grabbed 2 wickets in this Asia Cup.
Towhid Hridoy
Towhid failed to contribute to Bangladesh greatly in the first three matches of the Asia Cup 2023. In the first match, he scored 21 runs off 41 balls without any boundaries. In the next match against Afghanistan in Lahore, Bangladesh won by 89 runs, but he scored a zero. He also got out in a single-digit against Pakistan in the Super Four. However, Towhind knocked a brilliant batting performance in the last match against Sri Lanka, scoring 82 runs off 97 balls. So, we can expect another knock in the next match.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
Final Words
Considering the match results so far in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 ODI tournament, it can be said that team India is favorite in the contest.
However, nothing is impossible in cricket. To secure their first Super Four stage victory, Bangladesh need to show outstanding performances in all sectors including batting, bowling and fielding.
Bangladesh team should follow team Sri Lanka’s strategy to give a good fight, as they are the only team in this Asia Cup who gave an excellent fight against India. But, considering the team India’s performance, they have full potential to win the IND vs BAN Super Four Round match.
Read more: Tigers aim for a memorable end to their Asia Cup campaign by facing India