Buoyed by an impressive win in the third ODI against a bit perplexed Bangladesh, Afghanistan would start as favorite in the two matches T20 series starting at Bengal Tigers den at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNCS) Dhaka.
In the recent past just before T20 world cup Bangladesh trapping the host on a slow low turning won series against Australia and New Zealand. This Afghan team possesses far superior spinners and better batsmen against spin. They have some much sought after superstars of franchise cricket.
Trust BCB would not risk making the home team struggle against world-class spinners Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi. What we have observed Afghans have two new tormentors in Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the bat and Farid Haq Farooqi with his left-arm pace. Add to that Hashmatullah Zazai, Najibullah Zadran this Afghan team would have nose way ahead. The nature of T20 cricket has a distinct difference with ODI though both are played with the white ball. It would be great series up for grabbing both teams as both have directly qualified for playing in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
Bangladesh was whitewashed by Afghanistan in a three-match T20 series played in India a couple of years back. The present team is much stronger. We cannot say the same about Bangladesh unfortunately. They had a very poor World Cup. Though most players selected in the Bangladesh squad demonstrated good form in BPL 2022 yet BPL cannot be compared with T20 International
Squads:
Bangladesh: Mahmudullah Riad, Liton Kumar Das, Munim Shahriar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Sheikh Mahedy Hasan, Yasir Ali Rabbi, Mustafijur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shohidul Islam
Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi, Afsar Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Fareed Ahmed, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hasmatullah Zazai, Karim Janat, Mujeebbur Rahman, Nazibullah Zadran, Nijat Masood, Qais Ahmed, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan and Shahidullah Ashraf,
Four frontline highly experienced Bangladesh players Tamim, Shakib, Mushfque and Mahmudullah could not do justice to their reputation in the ODI. Tamim failed in three matches. Shakib was well below his best. Mushfique played one good innings and failed in the other two. Mahmuddulah also looked pretty ordinary.
Tamim declared himself unavailable for T20 series. We feel that he is past him prime and better concentrate in red ball test cricket only. It would be acid test for Mushfique and Mahmudullah. Shakib should also add value to the team, which he always did in the past. Liton is in prime form, Afif and Mehedy played exceptionally well in the second ODI. Bangladesh must blood Munim Shahriar in T20 series; Sheikh Mahedy would provide depth to bowling attack, The real challenge would be withstanding the pressure created by Afghan spin trio Rashid, Mujeeb and Nabi. Bangladesh must protect wicket within the first 6 overs. Perhaps Farooqi and Mujeeb would bowl. Mahmudullah should bat at five. Bangladesh should still include Mritunjoy if possible in the second match. Pacers are our new weapons now.
Fielding must significantly improve. There is no point why Mushfique should keep wickets. We are aware that he has lost some reflexes. Mahmudullah should bowl as and when the situation suits him.
The Afghans are better tuned in T20 version. They are ranked above Bangladesh in T20 version. Even if Bangladesh can win one of the two matches that would be an achievement in itself. Mohammad Saifuddin would be badly missed.
BDST: 1454 HRS, MAR 02, 2022
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