Asia Cup 2018, Super Four, Match 4- Afghanistan vs Bangladesh - Match Prediction

Afghanistan came very close to pulling off a major upset when they met Pakistan in their first Super 4 encounter of the Asia Cup 2018. However, the Pakistan team’s experience proved to be the decisive factor in the end, as they ended up winning the match by three wickets and with three deliveries to spare on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan has been the find of the tournament, and they can be very proud of their performance in Asia Cup 2018.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, started off their campaign with a resounding victory against Sri Lanka. However, they have fallen off the radar after losing their next two games against Afghanistan and India. The absence of Tamim Iqbal has been a huge factor for Bangladesh, as they haven’t found an able replacement at the top of the order. By the look of things, there is a possibility that Mohammad Mithun might well be elevated up the batting order.

The Afghanistan national team has some great players in their ranks who can change the complexion of the match. Hashmatullah Shahidi played a great knock against Pakistan, as he remained unbeaten on 97 off 122 deliveries. He shared a great partnership with skipper Asghar Afghan who played an attacking knock of 67 runs which came in just 56 deliveries.

Afghanistan has been quite brilliant in Asia Cup 2018

However, Rashid Khan has been a find for Afghanistan even in the batting department. He scored a magical 57 off 42 deliveries against Bangladesh earlier in the tournament. He will be hopeful of a repeat of sorts when the two teams meet each other yet again in Asia Cup 2018.

The form of Shakib Al Hasan has been the only bright spot for Bangladesh after the first match. He bowled quite nicely against the Afghans bagging four wickets.

However, Bangladesh was quite poor with their batting display in the match against India. They were bundled out for a mediocre score of just 173 runs. The top-order has found it very difficult to get going. The spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman has created magic in the middle overs. It won’t be easy for Bangladesh to counter the mystery spinners, as Bangladesh hopes to revive their campaign with a victory.

It will be a must-win game for both the teams. A defeat will almost rule them out of Asia Cup 2018. However, given the closeness of the tournament nothing can be predicted so far. It will be interesting to see which teams come first in the all-important clash.

Again Afghanistan has their noses slightly ahead especially given the fact they have a more balanced bowling line-up.

Team Combinations

Bangladesh

Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes have been brought up to the squad after Tamim Iqbal got ruled out Asia Cup 2018 after fracturing his left wrist. However, it must be noted that skipper Mashrafe Mortaza wasn’t aware of this happening which shows the frame of mind which Bangladesh has been in.

Probable XI: Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar/Nazmul Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mohammad Mithun/Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Rubel Hossain/Abu Hider, Mustafizur Rahman

Afghanistan

The Afghans are unlikely to tinker with the combination which has served them so nicely in the tournament so far.

Probable XI: Mohammad Shahzad(w), Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan(c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Match Predictions

Afghanistan has been quite brilliant in the tournament so far. They ran Pakistan very close and almost pulled off a major upset. However, it wasn’t to be as Pakistan defeated them by three wickets. It is a must-win game for both Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Yet again I will go with Afghanistan to win the match. Hence, my bet is with Afghanistan one more time.