Beyond the one-episode drama or melodrama about Tamim Iqbal retirement and reversal, today's billion-dollar question is whether Bangladesh can avoid a comprehensive ODI series whitewash. Given the present mental make of the team and in the manner much better prepared and more focused Afghan toyed with Bangladesh in the first two matches it will be a huge turn around if Bangladesh can win today forgetting the bitter memories. But it will not be easy.  A white wash in ODI series will also impact on the morale of the team in T20 series where Afghan is also a very strong out fit. At least half a dozen Afghan players are sought after commodities in T20 franchise worldwide. Other than Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman none of Bangladesh has any branding.

What Bangladesh Need Doing Today to Redeem?
Fazal Haq Farooki with his left pace and suing has already exposed the poor technique and lack of application of Bangladesh top order. Litton, Shanto, Shakib have failed in two to matches to apply and also threw away their wicket playing atrocious strokes. Add to that the mystery spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. If a top lose three or four wickets against a team like Afghanistan which posses a world class leg spinner (in many persons opinion one of the best ever seen) Rashid Khan that team will struggle in putting up a competitive score. It is nor fair expecting that rokkie Towhid Hridoy will master Rashid Khan, Mujeeb or Nabi so early. One must appreciate the way Mr. Dependable Mushfiqur Rahim bounced back in match two. 

But in the absence of silent killer Mahmudullah Raid in the lower middle order Afif failed miserably in both the match. Bangladesh has very little option in the very important 3rd match. The key is top order not losing wickets in the first power play and not exposing vulnerable late middle order to early to versatile Afghan spin attack. There is not much option for Bangladesh for reshuffling the batting order. In absence of Tamim, Naim must be given at least another opportunity. If Afif is rested Rony can be included but where he will bat? Can Only and Naim open dropping Litton batting deep down at 6 where he bats in the test match? 

In my opinion for reasons best known to team and team management the team looked traumatized in the second ODI. Litton in the pre match press meet stated that absence of Tamim will not affect the performance . But right from the mistake made through opting to field after winning the toss on what appeared a flat batting paradise Bangladesh kept doing mistakes. Bangladesh bowled and fielded poorly. Afghan openers Ramanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran blasted Bangladesh attack. When blaster Gurbaz was toying with Bangladesh bowling none of the Bangladesh bowlers had any clue. Pacers and spinners fed their stroke play and fielding looked ragged. Bangladesh was batted out of the match from the openers setting milestones of 256 runs in the first wicket in quick time. Bangladesh bowlers bounced back in the later stage, but it was too little too late. 

Chasing 332 for a win against a very formidable bowling attack under light was well beyond Bangladesh capability. Ultimately Bangladesh was bruised, battered, and humiliated. None but Mushfique could play their normal game. Wonder what happened to Najmul Hossain Shanto? He was in a prolific form only a months back . Litton can not adjust his batting against quality bowling. It is not fair expecting too much from young Hridoy. But Shakib lacks application these days. Bangladesh must bat well and score at least 280-300 if they bat first. Chasing anything above 250 against this Afghan attack in the present mental state of the team will be huge challenge. 

I do not think playing with three pacers in the match will be right strategy. Bangladesh can give Taijul an opportunity and also play Shoriful in place of injured Ebadat. The other option is letting Rony Talukdar bat in the top order and dropping Litton down at number six. Do not know what the team management thinks. A comprehensive white was will have telling effect and impact. Between this series and Asia cup there is no other opportunity for experiment. Unfortunately, there will no way giving Mahmudullah Riad any match practice. 

We have heard one of the members of the Bangladeshi coaching staff mentioning about the class of Afghanistan spinners and the challenges of batting against them? In Asia Cup India, Pakistan and even Sri Lanka will have equally strong spin and balanced attack. Is Bangladesh team prepared for that? BCB has mismanaged the preparation of Bangladesh team in this very important ODI series against formidable Afghanistan just before two important tournaments. 

All is not lost yet. A better performance today can again put Bangladesh back on track. But it is saying than done. Hathurusingha and the team have a major challenge at hand. 
 
BDST: 0928 HRS, JULY 11, 2023
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