Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test Preview Dream & MyTeam11. BAN vs AFG Test Preview Dream11 & MyTeam11 Prediction
As pace headlined India’s big win in West Indies and continues to do so in the ongoing Ashes series, spin is expected to take centre stage in Chattogram.
One of international cricket’s fledgling rivalries reignites with the first ever Test between the two nations. Bangladesh are set to play their first Test since their difficult New Zealand tour, and their first home Test since beating West Indies 2-0 nearly a year ago. Afghanistan are set to play their third, after winning their last match against Ireland in March. With spin to play a key role, the toss could be crucial, as both sides possess fine spin options.
Who will take out bragging rights?
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Key to a Bangladesh win
Bangladesh have enjoyed greater success in Tests in recent times, especially at home. The shift from flat pitches to turning ones over the past five years has benefited the home side, winning Tests against the likes of Australia, England and West Indies. However, Afghanistan have the spinners to cause problems, so patience and discipline – often missing in Bangladeshi Test batting – has to be on show in grinding the Afghans down. With Tamim Iqbal on leave, eyes will be on Bangladesh’s experienced stars, along with how well the youngsters, including Shadman Islam, can perform.
Also, it is likely Bangladesh will play four spinners, including Shakib. The Bangladesh skipper, along with Nayeem Islam, Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took all 40 wickets in two Tests against West Indies last year. The pressure they build up on Afghanistan’s batsmen will be key, testing their opponents’ patience. Will the spinners force Afghanistan into get-out-of-jail shots to release the pressure?
Key to an Afghanistan win
Afghanistan’s first Test against India in 2018 was a huge learning curve. The spinners, including now skipper Rashid Khan, bowled as if it were a one day game, struggling to build any sort of continuity. As Bangladesh is a team that often looks to hit its way out of trouble, a focus on bowling tight lines with assistance from the pitch can hold Afghanistan in fine stead. Couple this with Afghanistan potentially playing three wristspinners, and their occasional variations can prove mighty effective. So, it is up to Rashid Khan to employ good attacking fields to new batsmen.
However, the big question is how Afghanistan’s batting will cope with Bangladesh’s battery of wily spinners. The uncapped Ibrahim was a standout in Afghanistan A’s tour of Bangladesh last month, with 482 runs including a century and three fifties. Also, Afghanistan do possess a middle order capable of occupying the crease, as shown at times in the recent World Cup. The likes of Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi will be tasked with building partnerships and ensuring Bangladesh don’t get on a roll with quick wickets.
Pitch and conditions
Unfortunately, rain is forecast on all five days in Chattogram. The high humidity is likely to cause a few thunderstorms, with play set to be interrupted throughout the Test. In regards to the pitch, it is expected to turn from early in the Test.
Possible Playing 11
Tamim Iqbal’s absence means Soumya Sarkar could partner Shadman Islam at the top. Shakib Al Hasan will skipper the side, but reluctantly. Bangladesh need a future plan in this area.
Bangladesh: 1. Soumya Sarkar, 2. Shadman Islam, 3. Mominul Haque, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim, 5. Shakib Al Hasan (c), 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Liton Das (wk), 8. Mehidy Hasan, 9. Taijul Islam, 10. Nayeem Hasan, 11. Abu Jayed
Mohammad Shahzad, Wafadar Momand and Waqar Salamkheil are unavailable in Bangladesh. They could be replaced by Ibrahim Zadran, Zahir Khan and Qais Ahmed. This will certainly be a big test for Rashid Khan, leading Afghanistan in just their third Test.
Afghanistan: 1. Ihsanullah, 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5. Asghar Afghan, 6. Mohammad Nabi, 7. Ikram Alikhil (wk), 8. Rashid Khan (c), 9. Yamin Ahmadzai, 10. Qais Ahmed, 11. Zahir Khan
Fantasy Cricket Prediction
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MyTeam11 (regular) Prediction: Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Nabi, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan, Taijul Islam (vc), Nayeem Islam
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
Stats and Facts
- This Test will not count to the World Test Championship.
- Mominul Haque in Chattogram: 15 innings, 1,001 runs, average: 83.42.
- Taijul Islam needs one wicket to become the third Bangladeshi to achieve 100 Test wickets after Mohammad Rafique and Shakib Al Hasan.
- Afghanistan won their last Test, vs Ireland back in March.
Match Prediction
If the weather is kind enough to allow a result, it could very well be that the team who bats first will win. Bangladesh lost heavily to Zimbabwe at home last year when asked to bat second, and I feel Afghanistan also need the security of a first innings score on a turning pitch.
Thanks for reading!
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