Match: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Cricket World Cup 2023 (BAN vs AFG)
Date: October 7, Saturday, 10.00 AM IST
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
The cricket World Cup 2023 will see a double header on Saturday, as Bangladesh and Afghanistan play the first game starting 10 AM, followed by a 2 PM start for South Africa vs Sri Lanka. The match between Asian rivals Bangladesh and Afghanistan will take place at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. Both teams are among the least favorites to win the coveted ICC silverware.
In the 50-over format this year so far, Bangladesh have lost nine matches and won eight, while three matches produced no result. A few days ago, they were unable to progress beyond the Super Four stage at the Asia Cup. They will be keeping high hopes from their experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman and Litton Das. They will also be buoyed by the form of Najmul Shanto, who has scored 698 runs this year.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, have a formidable spin department comprising Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad. But their batting lacks depth and consistency. The side will be looking to take confident from their match against India and Pakistan at the 2019 World Cup, both of which they lost, but after being within a touching distance of victory. They will, however, miss the services of the experienced Tamim Iqbal, who withdrew from the tournament after a rift with the BCB management.
Ahead of the third game of Cricket World Cup 2023, here’s everything you need to know to maximise your chances of winning cash prizes on MPL fantasy.
Weather update and pitch report for BAN vs AFG, Cricket World Cup 2023
The pitch at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala is expected to be batting friendly and pace-bowling friendly. 70% wickets in the white-ball games played at this venue were picked by the pacers. From the four ODI matches that have been played at this venue in the past, the average score reads 214. Three of these four matches were won by teams chasing the target.
The weather in Dharamshala will be pleasant with no chance of rain. The maximum temperature during the day will be 25 degrees Celsius.
Bangladesh team news and predicted XI
Team news: Bangladesh are without their experienced batsman Tamim Iqbal, who withdrew from the tournament due to a feud with the team management. Shakib Al Hasan, meanwhile, has recovered from the injury he sustained during the practice sessions ahead of the warm-ups, and is confirmed to play this match.
Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Predicted XI: Towhid Hridoy, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mahedi Hasan, Mahmudullah, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam
Afghanistan team news and predicted XI
Team news: Afghanistan do not have any injury concerns and are at full strength for this match.
Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.
Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq
Head-to-head record
In the 50-over format, the two sides have played against each other in a total of 15 matches only, all which Bangladesh have nine wins. But in the last five meeting between the two teams, Afghanistan lead 3-2.
Five players to watch out for
Here we list five players you must pick in your MPL fantasy XI for BAN vs AFG, Cricket World Cup 2023
Litton Das – batsman, Bangladesh
In absence of opener Tamim Iqbal, the onus of scoring runs at the top will be on Litton Das, who has 378 runs in nine games against Afghanistan, at an average of 47. He scored a half century against Sri Lanka in the warm-ups and will now look to light up the stage in the main games. The 28-year-old has overall played 77 ODIs for Bangladesh, from which he has scored 2250 runs at an average of 32.60.
Shakib Al Hasan – allrounder, Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan has been Bangladesh’s best player for several years now. The all-rounder scored two half centuries at the recently-concluded Asia Cup. Shakib has plenty of experience of playing in India in the IPL, something that will further help him in the World Cup. The 36-year-old has a batting average of 37.67 in ODIs, along with 308 wickets.
Najmul Hossain Shanto – batsman, Bangladesh
Najmul Hossain Shanto has been in incredible form this year, having scored nearly 700 runs. He scored two half centuries at the Asia Cup and followed that with a century against New Zealand in a bilateral series. Shanto has two half centuries and a century in his last three outings.
Rashid Khan – bowler, Afghanistan
Rashid Khan’s form in his last five outings was not great, but he’s one of the greatest cricketers to have emerged from Afghanistan, and will be their key player at the World Cup. He has taken 172 wickets in 94 ODIs for Afghanistan, while also scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of almost 130. Rashid can help you win fantasy points with both his batting and bowling.
Mohammed Nabi – all-rounder, Afghanistan
In all probability, this will be the last World Cup for veteran all-rounder Mohammed Nabi, who brings with him plenty of experience which can be of much help to the team in a global competition. He picked up four wickets for 44 runs in the warm-up against Sri Lanka, before which he scored a half century against the same team at the Asia Cup.
MPL fantasy XI – BAN vs AFG, Cricket World 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 as well as the Jiocinema app. The match will begin at 10.30 PM IST on October 7.
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.
