The scenario is different in this Asia Cupfor Bangladesh when they face the spirited Afghanistan teamas the hosts will take the field without their three most experienced players, while captainMushfiqur Rahim may also miss the encounter at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium today.
The home side earlier lost their dashing opener Tamim Iqbal to a neck injury before the Asia Cup and Shakib al Hasan, who is serving a three match ban, and now, MashrafeMortaza has been ruled out of the rest of the Asia Cup with an injury.
Mashrafe suffered side strain injury during the last match against India where the scan report suggests it is a strain on the left side informed Bangladesh physioVibhav Singh yesterday. Fast bowler Shafiul Islam will be replacing the Mashrafe.
Meanwhile, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim who also suffered a shoulder injury in the last match when he tried to stop a boundary and was later taken to the hospital, will have to pass a fitness test just before the match today and if he is not able to play Abdur Razzak will be leading the side today.
However Bangladesh will be looking to register their first win against the relatively weakopponents. Nonetheless, the Tigers, despite playing some good cricket in the last match, have shown an inability to hold their nerve in recent times.
The Tigers will be looking for a good start with the bat from AnamulHaque and Shamsur Rahman, where Anamul who has played a good knock of 77 runs in the previous match, will have to continue his good form with Shamsur Rahman who will looking to score big after failing against India.
Meanwhile Nasir Hossain who is going through a poor run having only made69 runs in his last four innings, will have to take the responsibility in the middle order as the 22 year old is relatively more experience in the injured Bangladesh side.Naeem Islam and MominulHaque also need to show some character.
AbdurRazzak will be leading the bowling attack for the Tigers and it will be a test for the Bangladeshi bowlers to put up their hands in a crunch match like today though it will not be an easy task at all.
On the other hand, Afghanistan started their Asia Cup with a 72 run defeat against Pakistan but they showed what they are capable in every department of the game. Captain Mohammad Nabi will be the player to watch for the home side today.
