Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – 1st One-Day International Preview & Prediction
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THE FACTS
When is Bangladesh vs Afghanistan taking place? Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Bangladesh vs Afghanistan taking place? Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
What channel is Bangladesh vs Afghanistan on? Bangladesh vs Afghanistan will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Bangladesh vs Afghanistan? Bangladesh vs Afghanistan can be streamed live on ICC.tv
LAST MEETING
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets
THE LOWDOWN
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh will be looking to build on their dominant performance across the one-off Test match vs Afghanistan in this three match ODI series that begins on Wednesday. The Tigers’ last taste of 50 over cricket saw them defeat Ireland at Chelmsford by two games to nil in a three-match series and they’ll be hoping for similar success here back in the subcontinent. Most recently though, Bangladesh totally outplayed Afghanistan with bat and ball in Mirpur, sealing a thumping 546-run victory in that only Test. After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Bangladesh racked up 382 before bowling out their opponents for just 146. Despite the follow-on being available, the hosts choose to bat for a second time and extended their lead even further by accumulating 425/4, with centuries from both Nazmul Hossain and Mominul Haque. The tourists provided little to no resistance in their second innings and were skittled out for 115.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan will have been extremely disappointed at the vast margin of their loss against Bangladesh in the one-off Test and can use this ODI series as a springboard to recovery with their players significantly more experience and adept in white ball cricket. However, we shouldn’t discount the excellent achievement of one Afghanistan player in particular across the Test. Bowler Nijat Masood took a five-wicket haul across the Bangladesh first innings, a sign of positive things to come in his future. The batting though, was extremely weak across both Afghanistan’s innings with not a single player making a half-century. The return of Rashid Khan though adds a sprinkling of star quality into the tourists’ ODI squad whilst fellow spinner Izharulhaq Naveed has been handed a maiden ODI call-up and could make his 50 over debut here for Afghanistan.
THE PREDICTION
The batting depth of Bangladesh is significant and should work nicely in their favour across this one. As dangerous a team as Afghanistan are, that 50-over format is likely to favour the hosts, not to mention home conditions, including the pitch. Whilst there may not be a huge volume of runs on either side, especially if the pitch proves contusive to spin, that strength-in-depth among the Bangladesh lower order will come into play and makes backing them to overcome Afghanistan a smart move.
TIP: BANGLADESH TO WIN
