Match: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2023, 4th match (BAN vs AFG)
Date: September 3, Sunday, 3.00 PM IST
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Bangladesh will look to bounce back from defeat when they take on Afghanistan in match 4 of the Asia Cup 2023 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 3. The Tigers, who have reached the finals of the Asia Cup thrice but have never been able to win the trophy, will be disappointed with their below-par performance against Sri Lanka a fortnight ago.
Najmul Hossain Shanto was their only batsman who stood up to the occasion with a knock of 89 runs. The rest of the batting line-up collectively managed to score only 68 runs, to which skipper Shakib Al Hasan managed to contribute just five. Sri Lanka, given the task of chasing down a total of only 165, wrapped up the game in 39 overs. Shakib did a good job with the ball, picking up two wickets and registering an economy of only 2.9 in his 10 overs, but that wasn’t enough to defend the small total.
Afghanistan enter the tournament following a demoralising 0-3 ODI series defeat to Pakistan. However, it is worth noting that earlier in June-July this year, they demonstrated their capabilities by securing a 2-1 victory in a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. The team will be largely banking upon the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan to deliver the goods.
Ahead of the game between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, here is everything you need to know to win big on MPL fantasy cricket.
Weather update and pitch report for BAN vs AFG, Asia Cup 2023, match 4
The Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore is will be hosting three matches in the Asia Cup 2023. Traditionally, the Lahore pitch tends to lack substantial bounce for fast bowlers and generally lacks significant lateral movement for the ball. Given the pitch’s slower nature, spinners may find themselves more influential during the middle overs of the game. Teams chasing a target have had a better chance at winning in recent times. Overall, 69 ODIs have been played at the Gaddafi Stadium, from which the average first innings score is 251.
The weather in Lahore will be mostly sunny with clear skies. Rain will stay away from the game.
Bangladesh team news and predicted XI
Team news: Bangladesh do not have any new injury concerns, except that pacer Ebadot Hossain is missing the tournament due to knee injury and has been replaced by 20-year-old pacer Tanzim Hasan. They are unlikely to make any changes to the playing XI which was selected in the game against Sri Lanka.
Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan and Tanzim Hasan.
Predicted XI: Mohammad Naim, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Afghanistan team news and predicted XI
Team news: Afghanistan are without fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai for the tournament, both of whom are injured.
Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hassan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Saleem, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad.
Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Gulbadin Naib, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Head-to-head record
In the 50-over format, the two sides have squared off in a total of 14 matches, with Bangladesh winning on eight occasions. Afghanistan won six times. But in the last three ODI meetings between the two teams, Afghanistan have won two. In the Asia Cup particularly, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have played against each other four times. Afghanistan have won three of those four games.
Five players to watch out for
Here we list five players you must pick in your MPL fantasy XI BAN vs AFG, Asia Cup 2023
Rahmanullah Gurbaz – wicketkeeper batter, Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is coming into the tournament on the back of good form. The flamboyant batter hit centuries against both Pakistan and Bangladesh in the recent ODI series. To have scored a knock of 151 against Pakistan, a team boasting of some of the world’s best bowlers, will give Gurbaz the confidence to perform well at the big stage. In all, he has played 24 ODIs, from which he has an excellent batting average of 41.43. The right-hander has scored five centuries in the format.
Rashid Khan – all-rounder, Afghanistan
Rashid Khan has been Afghanistan’s MVP for a few years now, and a lot of responsibilities will be on his shoulders in the Asia Cup. Talking about his recent form, he was one of the top bowlers at the inaugural edition of the Major League Cricket played a little over a month ago. Rashid brings with him plenty of experience – he has played 92 ODIs, picking up 170 wickets and scoring 1160 runs.
Shakib al Hasan – all-rounder, Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan was Bangladesh’s best bowler against Sri Lanka in the last game. But with the bat, he scored just five runs and will be looking to make amends for it against Afghanistan. Shakib’s experience will be of immense importance to Bangladesh in the tournament.
Najmul Hossain Shanto – batter, Bangladesh
Najmul Hossain Shanto is indispensable to your MPL fantasy team after the kind of performance he delivered against Sri Lanka. What’s even better is that he costs a reasonable 7 points.
Mushfiqur Rahim – wicketkeeper batter, Bangladesh
Like Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim will also be disappointed with his performance against Sri Lanka, and will be hoping to come good against Afghanistan. He brings with him the experience of 252 ODIs, scoring 7270 runs at an average of 37.09. This includes nine centuries.
MPL fantasy XI – BAN vs AFG, Asia Cup 2023
BAN vs AFG – where and what time to watch the match live in India
The Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India. You can also watch the game on the Disney + Hotstar app. The match will begin at 3.30 PM IST on September 3.
Check out our detailed guide on fantasy cricket for more tips and tricks. https://www.mpl.live/blog/todays-match-prediction/
Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.
