Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 31: Afghanistan v Bangladesh Preview Dream11 Prediction. AFG vs BAN Dream11 Prediction

India v Pakistan. Australia v England. India v England. South Africa v New Zealand.

These are just a few of the most anticipated matches of the group stage. The matches that could help go a long way to deciding the top four, whilst enjoying the high-profile nature of them.

Now, it’s time we add Afghanistan v Bangladesh to the list. All of a sudden, plenty rests in this match after Sri Lanka’s incredible win over England. Afghanistan will be looking to follow up their magnificent effort v India just 48 hours ago. Bangladesh can go just one point behind hosts England if they win.

However, while Bangladesh have been good in CWC 2019, losing when they are favourites to win has been a familiar story over the years. Indeed, this is not like any old Monday, with plenty at stake in a game that promises to be another episode in the fine rivalry brewing between the two sides.

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Key to an Afghanistan win

Spin-friendly Southampton greets Afghanistan again. Conditions suited them beautifully on Saturday against India, with their spinners combining to take 5/119 in 34 overs in a performance that did not allow the Indians to get going. Here, they will be looking to tame Bangladesh’s in-form Tigers through spin, building dot-ball pressure right from the word go to test Bangladesh’s batting resolve. Can Mujeeb ur Rahman – who has conceded just 70 runs in his last 20 overs, get Afghanistan off to a great start particularly against Tamim? Who will get the better of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah – the men who could have a huge say to the result?

Also, Afghanistan’s batting effort was filled with starts against India. It was a fighting effort right the way through, with Mohammad Nabi taking them so close to victory with magnificent finishing. Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s best bowler, stood in Afghanistan’s way as he helped get India home. Today, they play a Bangladesh side who have struggled with the ball in CWC 2019, so Afghanistan have an opportunity to get runs on the board and create nerves in the Tigers camp. Can the likes of Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shaidi set the platform? If yes, the likes of Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi will be all the more dangerous.

Key to a Bangladesh win

Bangladesh average 48 with the ball in CWC 2019. This is the worst of any of the 10 teams. While their batting has been excellent, it is indeed their bowling that has been a let down, as feared before the tournament began. So, with the remaining matches effectively knockout games, can Bangladesh fire with the ball? Conditions in Southampton will suit them too, with Shakib Al Hasan a bowler difficult to get away in slow conditions. So too Mustafizur Rahman, who will look to employ his cutters very effectively.

Also, can Bangladesh continue on their merry way with the bat? They have struck 300+ three times in their six games, with the latest being an impressive performance against Australia that saw them achieve their highest ever ODI score. The key to their success has been batsmen converting starts into centuries, with Shakib scoring two and Mushfiqur Rahim scoring his own against Australia. That makes it five centuries in the last nine World Cup matches for Bangladesh, before which they had never achieved such a milestone in World Cups. Who will score the big one today? Can Bangladesh’s experienced players be the rock in this important game?

Pitch and conditions

Plenty of rain is forecast overnight in Southampton. However, the forecast looks pretty decent throughout the day, with perhaps only the odd shower or two a chance of interrupting play. The pitch conditions could suit spin once again.

Possible Playing 11

Hazratullah Zazai looks out of place in ODIs. Noor Ali Zadran might be preferred as opener. However, Afghanistan could stick with the same team that pushed India all the way, with Zazai against a team struggling for wickets.

Afghanistan: 1. Hazratullah Zazai, 2. Gulbadin Naib (c), 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5. Asghar Afghan, 6. Najibullah Zadran, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Ikram Ali Khil (wk), 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Aftab Alam, 11. Mujeeb ur Rahman

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was struck in the head at training. His availability remains to be seen.

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Soumya Sarkar, 3. Shakib Al Hasan, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Liton Das, 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Sabbir Rahman, 8. Mossadek Hossain/Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mohammad Shaifuddin/Rubel Hossain, 10. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Dream11 Prediction

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Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts:

• Afghanistan’s first-ever World Cup match was against Bangladesh. The Tigers won by 105 runs.
• These two sides have a good rivalry brewing in ODIs. Bangladesh lead 4-3 in seven matches, with Afghanistan winning twice in Bangladesh in 2014 and 2016 and then in the 2018 Asia Cup.
• Shakib Al Hasan needs 35 to reach 1,000 runs in World Cups.
• Gulbadin Naib needs 43 to reach 1,000 ODI runs.

Dream11 Prediction

What a difficult game to predict.

Bangladesh, on form, are favourites. Afghanistan, though, have given them problems in the past, and you wouldn’t put it past them to beat Bangladesh here. However, there is a lot at stake for Bangladesh, and they are batting well enough to get over the line.

Bangladesh to win.

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