Asia Cup 2022: BAN vs AFG- BAN Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Match 03

Asia Cup 2022: BAN vs AFG- BAN Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Match 03. Afghanistan will play against Bangladesh on 30th August, at 7:30 pm in the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Afghanistan brutalized Sri Lanka in the opening encounter to win the match by 8 wickets with nearly 10 overs remaining.

Their team has the capability to challenge any team in the T20 format and will look to win this match and seal their spot in the Super-4s comfortably. Bangladesh on the other hand are struggling for consistency in the T20I format and will be looking for a win in this match to boost their confidence going ahead in the series.

The Shakib Al Hasan-led Bangladesh side has been in a horrible run of form in T20Is in 2022. They have lost a series against Pakistan, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. They will like to show some fights during the Asia Cup 2022.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan have faced each other in 8 matches in T20Is. Out of these 8 games, Bangladesh has won 3 whereas Afghanistan has come out victorious on 5 occasions.

Bangladesh will be led by their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in this series. Sabbir Rahman and Mohammed Naim will open the batting with the experienced players Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mehidy Hasan expected to support their skipper in the middle order.

Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed will share the pace bowling responsibilities for the team. Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, and will combine together for their spin department. Pacer Mohammed Saifuddin or spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz might slot in depending on the conditions.

Shakib Al Hasan will lead a 17-member Bangladesh side in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022. Experienced players like Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim are also a part of the side. The Tigers were the finalists of the 2018 Asia Cup losing out to India in the summit clash.

Mahmudullah replaced Nurul Hasan who led Bangladesh in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Mosaddek Hossain captained the team in the final of three T20Is in Zimbabwe, which Bangladesh lost 2-1. Bangladesh is placed alongside Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in group B.

They play their first game against Afghanistan on August 30 in Sharjah. After the Asia Cup 2022, they will play a T20I tri-series involving New Zealand and Pakistan in their build-up to the T20I World Cup in Australia.  While Litton Das misses out due to his hamstring injury, there was no place for Shoriful Islam, Munim Shahriar, and Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Asia Cup 2022: BAN vs AFG- BAN Playing 11 vs AFG (Predicted), Match 03

Sabbir Rahman

Sabbir Rahman, who last played a T20I in 2019, returns to the Bangladesh squad for the Asia Cup 2022. While Sabbir Rahman did not have a great BPL season – where he made 109 runs in six matches – he scored 515 runs at a 39.61 average in the Dhaka Premier League one-day tournament.

He also caught the eye during the Bangladesh Tigers program, where a number of fringe players are trained. Sabbir Rahman has been sent to the Caribbean to play one-day matches For Bangladesh A against West Indies A. He has played 44 T20Is so far, for 946 runs at an average of 24.89. Anamul Haque is another option to open the innings for the Bangladeshi side.

Mohammad Naim

Bangladesh opted for an extra batter in Mohammad Naim as a replacement for injured fast bowler Hasan Mahmud. Mohammad Naim has been included in Bangladesh’s squad for the Asia Cup 2022, after Nurul Hasan and Hasan Mahmud were ruled out due to injuries.

Mohammad Naim will join the squad from the West Indies where he is touring with Bangladesh A team. Mohammad Naim returns to the T20I side after the last playing against Afghanistan in March. He was dropped for the subsequent T20I series against West Indies and Zimbabwe. He has amassed 809 runs in 34 T20Is averaging 24.52.

Mahmadullah

Mahmudullah has remained an integral part of the Bangladesh white-ball squad and has been a match-winner with the bat. The veteran of 117 T20Is since debuting in 2007 has scored 2070 runs averaging 23.52 and has taken 38 scalps averaging 26.63.

Afif Hossain

Talented batter Afif Hossain can also be a handy finisher and he has shown his ability in the international arena previously. Afif Hossain has played 47 T20Is since debuting in 2017-18 and has scored 638 runs averaging 19.39 besides taking 8 scalps averaging 24.75. He hit his maiden T20I fifty in the recent T20I series against West Indies and continued his form against Zimbabwe too.

Shakib Al Hasan

No matter what tournament Bangladesh plays, Shakib Al Hasan will always be the player to watch out for. Not because of his stats with both bat and ball, but because of the experience and skill Shakib Al Hasan brings to the table. Shakib Al Hasan opted out of the Zimbabwe tour but in the preceding T20I series against West Indies, the left-hander scored 29, 68 not out, and 5.

Since debuting in 2006, the spin all-rounder has scored 2010 runs in 99 T20Is averaging 23.1 and has taken 121 scalps averaging 19.95.

Mushfiqur Rahim

Mushfiqur Rahim, who was rested for the T20I series against Zimbabwe, is also back for Asia Cup 2022. The keeper has played exactly 100 T20Is since debuting in 2006 and has scored 1495 runs averaging 19.93 and affected 42 catches and 29 stumpings.

Mahedi Hasan

Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan was excellent against Zimbabwe in a recently concluded T20I series and he is expected to retain his place in the playing XI. The veteran of 36 T20Is since his debut in 2018 has picked 29 scalps averaging 25.9. He averaged a mere 19 in the 2-match T20Is against Zimbabwe.

Mustafizur Rahman

Pacer Mustafizur Rahman will be key to Bangladesh’s chances in Asia Cup 2022. The pacer who has represented Bangladesh since 2015 has picked 91 scalps in 69 T20Is averaging a mere 20.62.

Taskin Ahmed

Pacer Taskin Ahmed has picked 23 scalps in 35 T20Is averaging 39.13. His best is 2/12 and he would certainly want to amend his stats by picking more wickets in Asia Cup 2022.

Nasum Ahmed

Pacer Nasum Ahmed has played 21 T20Is since debuting in 2020-21 against the Kiwis. He has picked 29 scalps averaging 18.55. His best of 4/10 came against Afghanistan in March 2022. He may play in the 3rd match of Asia Cup 2022.

Mohammad Saifuddin

Mohammad Saifuddin returns for Asia Cup 2022 though his recurring back problem remains a concern, while fast bowler Ebadot Hossain also earns a place. Pacer Mohammad Saifuddin has picked 31 scalps in 29 T20Is averaging 26.65. He last played in the 2021 T20I World Cup.