Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in the first of three T20Is at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, India Sunday. This is the second time the two sides are meeting in the shortest format of the game. The match begins at 8:30pm, Bangladesh standard time.
Previously, the Tigers faced the No 8 ranked T20I side in the ICC World T20I qualifiers in Dhaka in 2014 where Bangladesh chased down an easy target in just 12 overs for the loss of one wicket after restricting Afghanistan for only 72 runs.
However, since then, Afghanistan have come a long way, especially in T20Is. The side have produced one of the world’s best T20I bowlers in the shape of leg-spinner Rashid Khan and can also count on the services of a world-class all-rounder like Mohammad Nabi. With the combination of other cricketers, the Afghans have emerged as a strong T20I nation. In contrast, Bangladesh are still No 10 in the T20I ranking.
The Tigers have come to the series with a lot of confidence and motivation having played the final of the Nidahas T20I tri-nation series in March this year – the side’s last international tournament. Led by all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and mixed with youth and experience, Bangladesh will be expected to get off to a good start. However, Bangladesh will also be worried after losing the lone practice game against Afghanistan A team Friday evening.
The Tigers had lost the game by eight wickets. Bangladesh in the game had batted first and posted a 145 losing six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Middle-order batsman Mosaddek Hossain was unbeaten on 38 while wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib added 27 and 19 respectively.
Taking the opposition by surprise, Afghanistan A side chased down the target in 17.2 overs. Opener Hazratullah Zazaihad struck an undefeated 69 while Nabi and Shafiqullah Shafaq remained not out on 32 and 28 respectively.
This should cause the Bangladesh bowlers to rethink their strategy and back come strong Sunday. Bangladesh had expected the pacers to step up for the team, given the favourable conditions in Dehradun.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal was scheduled to join the side Saturday night following his stint with the ICC World XI in the charity T20I game against the West Indies at Lord’s in London Thursday.