Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Bangladesh are likely to struggle in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, and predicted that Afghanistan could have a better campaign than the Tigers.
Both the Tigers and the Afghans would do well to get out of their respective groups and advance to the semi-finals as they find themselves up against tough opposition.
Bangladesh are alongside Asian rivals India and Pakistan and New Zealand in Group A while Afghanistan are in Group B along with Ashes foes Australia and England and 2024 Twenty20 World Cup finalist South Africa.
Considering the strength and quality of all competing sides, Aussie batting legend Ponting opined that Bangladesh are lagging behind than the other seven teams.
"When you match up the team against the lot - pretty much every other side in the Champions Trophy - it seems that they lack that little bit of quality now," Ponting told the International Cricket Council.
"I think they are to struggle, to be honest. I just don't think that the quality is there.”
The stylish former right-handed batter also pointed to the factor of different conditions as another reason why Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s side might come up short.
"If they get their ideal home conditions, then that's when they can be dangerous. But I don't think they are going to get conditions like they get in Bangladesh in this series. So, that's going to be a hard gap for them to fill," Ponting said.
"In fact, I think Afghanistan could have a better Champions Trophy than Bangladesh," the 50-year old concluded.
The ninth edition of the 50-over tournament will get underway on February 19 with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi.
A day later Bangladesh will face India in a high-voltage clash in Dubai.
Afghanistan will get things rolling in Group B on February 21 against South Africa in Karachi.
