Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 3rd T20I: Hosts Aiming Historic Whitewash; Bangladesh Eyeing to Salvage Pride

After the back-to-back victories against Bangladesh, dominant force to reckon Afghanistan will be looking to stamp their authority on Bangladesh, in the third and the final Twenty20 International at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun.

Afghanistan has been quite spectacular in all three departments of the game. The spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman lived up to their expectations while flooring the Tigers.

Moreover, it has been largely to due to 19-year-old Rashid that Bangladesh has failed miserably as a batting unit.

Rashid has continued his rich vein of form from the Indian Premier League (IPL) while representing Kane Williamson-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

The wily leg-spinner Rashid was the standout bowler for runners-up Sunrisers. The No. 1 T20I bowler bagged the Player of the Match Award in both the matches, so far. His splendid spell of four for 12 in the second encounter was instrumental in Afghanistan restricting Bangladesh to a below-par score of 134 in their allotted 20 overs.

Bangladesh has been largely let down by their batters. However, you can’t really help when a certain Rashid is bowling the way he is.

On the other side, Nabi has given him ample support. Mujeeb hasn’t been at his wicket-taking best. However, he has managed to restrict the Bangladesh batsmen with his tight bowling.

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The spin trio has scalped out 12 of the 18 Bangladesh wickets. The Bangla batsmen have failed to read their variations which have brought about their downfall.

Afghanistan boasts of a solid batting line-up. In the form of Mohammad Shehzad, they have an opener who has the ability to decimate any bowling attack on his day.

However, the aggressive batsman Shehzad hasn’t been at his blistering best in the series, so far. But it has something to do with the sort of surfaces which has been prepared in the short-paced competition.

There is no doubt that the pitch has assisted the home team. Dehradun is the adopted home ground for Afghanistan and they will surely look to seal a 3-0 series win in their first home series in Dehradun.

It was the first time Afghanistan and Bangladesh squared off in a bilateral series. Bangladesh will surely look to salvage some pride. But the form Afghanistan is in, a 3-0 result looks a likely prospect.

Despite Afghanistan’s impressive bowling performance, their pacers haven’t been at their best.

Fast bowler Shapoor Zadran has proved to be quite expensive in both the games. However, their spinners haven’t allowed Afghanistan to feel any pressure.

Bangladesh has some good bowlers in their ranks. They have the ability to trouble the opposition. However, the mediocre batting performance from Bangladesh has led to their downfall. If they want to salvage some pride then the visitors will have to turn things around pretty quickly.

Team Combinations:

Afghanistan:

Despite bagging a series victory, Afghanistan will definitely look to seal the series 3-0. Hence, tinkering with the winning combination is highly unlikely.

Predicted XI: Mohammad Shehzad, Usman Ghani, Samiuallah Shenwari, Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Nabi, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Shapoor Zadran.

Bangladesh:

The visitors have a lot to ponder upon. So, Shakib might want to change the combination.

Soumya Sarkar will continue to be part of the playing XI. He ca replace Litton at the top of the order. Mehidy Hasan, the effective off-spinner might also get a game.

Predicted XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Islam

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