Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
How beautiful is cricket. We can go from the biggest T20 tournament in the world to a supposedly low key T20I series, but one that still means so much to millions of people.
India, having recently put on another huge IPL tournament, hosts Afghanistan and Bangladesh in what should be a very competitive three match T20I series. Dehradun will host its first ever international match, and with both sides looking to prove a point in the format, it’s anyone’s game.
Afghanistan, ahead of their first ever Test, start this series as favourites in my opinion, thanks to their magnificent spin attack. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi are very capable of delivering 12 excellent, threat-filled overs at the Bangladeshis, which can counter the concern they have relating to the lack of experience in their batting line-up. The Afghans are ranked two spots above Bangladesh in the T20I rankings, and given that their second string line up thrashed Bangladesh in a warm up just two days ago, they should be feeling confident.
Shakib Al Hasan claimed Afghanistan are favourites in this series, which is an interesting change of approach, given Bangladesh like to consider themselves as favourites in most series they play. They still have a lot to prove in this format – with their improvement in Test cricket over the last two or three years, the T20I format could be considered their weakest. They would have taken heart in reaching the final of the recent Nidahas Trophy, even though they lost it when they had it won. Their experienced players hold the key, but how well can their bowling attack go?
It remains to be seen in what promises to be an exciting, competitive clash.
Key to an Afghanistan win
Bangladesh have spoken about the threat of Rashid Khan, following is brilliant T20 exploits around the world. Many in India will tune in just to see this superstar in action, as the nation continues to fall in love with him.
In Afghanistan’s ODI tour of Bangladesh in 2016, Rashid Khan burst onto the scene and caused Bangladesh all kinds of trouble. He, along with Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Mohammad Nabi can force Bangladesh to work extremely hard for runs for 12-16 overs. Also, the contributions of Gulbadin Naib and Aftab Alam will be key – can they support their spinners well, especially in the death overs?
In addition, if the Afghanistan batsmen can tackle Shakib effectively, it places so much more pressure on the other Bangladeshi bowlers, who are yet to show consistency in the T20I format. The likes of Mohammad Shahzad and Mohammad Nabi are key to holding the batting together.
Key to a Bangladesh win
The contributions of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim are so important to Bangladesh’s chances.
These four are best equipped to handle Afghanistan’s impressive spin attack, and if at least two can contribute well, it gives the others the opportunity to bat around them and form strong partnerships. If they don’t, them I’m sorry, I can’t see Bangladesh getting the runs they need from the likes of Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman, who are so talented but unreliable.
Also, the support Shakib Al Hasan gets with the ball will be key. With Mustafizur Rahman out injured, whichever players get the nod to make up the Bangladeshi bowling attack need to be on song, especially in the powerplay and death overs, where Bangladesh have struggled in the past.
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| Mustafizur Rahman will be a key loss for Bangladesh |
Key head-to-head battle:
Rashid Khan v Shakib Al Hasan: Teammates at Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018, Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan are the key players for their respective sides. Whoever has the better match out of these two could lead to their team winning.
Possible teams
Afghanistan could have six front line bowlers to choose from, which offers Asghar Stanikzai great flexibility. Allrounder Karim Janat and U-19 batsman Rasooli are also reportedly a chance of playing.
Afghanistan XI: 1. Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 2. Asghar Stanikzai (c), 3. Najeeb Tarakai, 4. Mohammad Nabi, 5. Najibullah Zadran, 6. Shafiqullah, 7. Sharafuddin Ashraf, 8. Gulbadin Naib, 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Aftab Alam, 11. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Mustafizur Rahman ruled out is a big blow for Bangladesh, and I think has resulted in the team management being uncertain of the make up of their bowling line up. Any of Abu Hider, Abul Hasan and Abu Jayed could get the nod. Pressure is also on Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman to start showing more consistency.
Bangladesh XI: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 4. Shakib Al Hasan (c), 5. Mahmudullah, 6. Sabbir Rahman, 7. Mosaddek Hossain, 8. Mehidy Hasan, 9. Abu Hider/Abul Hasan/Abu Jayed, 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Nazmul Islam
Stats and Facts:
- Ranjiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun will become the 21st ground to host T20I cricket in India.
- Afghanistan and Bangladesh have played one T20I against each other. Bangladesh picked up a thumping nine-wicket victory in the Qualifying stage of World T20 2014.
- Bangladesh have won just four of their last 20 T20Is. Afghanistan have won two of their last three T20I series.
- Shakib Al Hasan needs just two wickets to reach the double of 10,000 runs and 500 wickets in international cricket, in what will be his 300th game for Bangladesh across formats. Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi are the only others to achieve this feat.
- Rashid Khan is just two wickets away from reaching 50 T20I wickets. In 109 T20s around the world in total, he has 158 wickets at an economy rate of 6.01.
- Mohammad Nabi is 39 runs away from 1,000 T20I runs. Only four other all-rounders (Shakib, Afridi, Thisara Perera and Dwayne Bravo) have achieved double 1,000 runs and 50 wickets.
Prediction
Think this is a low key, boring series? Think again. This one promises to be so exciting, and it’s awesome to see these two sides get playing opportunity.
In the first T20I, I will pick Afghanistan to win on the back of their bowling attack successfully challenging the uncertain Bangladesh line up. However, as a big Bangladesh fan myself, I know they have the ability to surprise us when they consider themselves underdogs, so they are certainly a chance, which makes this series exciting.
Good luck to both teams.
