Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – 1st T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Bangladesh vs Afghanistan taking place? Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Bangladesh vs Afghanistan taking place? Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur
What is the expected weather for Bangladesh vs Afghanistan? 29-31c with sunshine and light winds
What channel is Bangladesh vs Afghanistan on? The match will not be televised in the UK.
Where can I stream Bangladesh vs Afghanistan? This match cannot be streamed in the UK.
LAST MEETING
Match abandoned without a ball bowled.
THE TEAM NEWS
BANGLADESH
- Following their 2-1 ODI series victory against Afghanistan, Bangladesh will now be aiming to turn around what has been a very poor recent record for them in T20i cricket, with each of their last eight matches played in this format ending in defeat for the Tigers.
- After being dropped following a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, Bangladesh have recalled Liton Das, who is expected to open the batting whilst all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan being available also represents a significant boost for the hosts.
AFGHANISTAN
- Afghanistan will be without pace bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, but apart from him the tourists are expected to be at full-strength for this contest with a quartet of spin-options their biggest strength.
- Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Qais Ahmad and the experienced Mohammad Nabi all provide differing spin-options with the ball, although Qais is perhaps the player most likely to be left out of the starting line-up should one miss out, whilst plenty will depend on the form of Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top of the order.
THE PREDICTION
Bangladesh come into this T20i match as a stronger side on paper than they have been across the past few months in this format of the game, mainly due to the addition of Shakib who offers quality with the bat and a significant wicket-taking threat with the ball. However, this is certainly a Tigers team in transition and it would be fair to say that they still don’t know what their best side is. Afghanistan meanwhile, have players within their ranks who are best equipped for T20 cricket and on a ground notoriously friendly for spin-bowlers, the tourists could be afforded plenty of joy through the likes of Rashid and Mujeeb. Provided their top order batters can cope with the conditions and utilise the powerplay effectively whether they be batting first or second, then Afghanistan have all the tools to pull out a victory here and extend Bangladesh’s losing run in T20i cricket to nine matches.
