Deadline: September 12, 2019 at 9:30 AM IST
Venue: Tyronne Fernando Stadium, Moratuwa
Pitch report
This is the same pitch on which the Bangladeshi spinners caught the hosts in a maze earlier this week. However, if the pacers operate for most part of the game, runs will come thick and fast. The pitch, otherwise, is a featherbed for the batsmen.
Weather forecast
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are forecasted in Moratuwa throughout this week. Expect a few interruptions during the contest.
Teams
Probable XI for Afghanistan: Farhan Zakhil (c), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah, Asif Musazai, Abdullah Naib, Shafiqullah Ghafari, Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Abidullah Taniwal, Jamshid Khan, Fazal Haq, Noor Ahmad
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Anik Sarker Shatu, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Towhid Hridoy, Akbar Ali (c & wk), Shamim Hossain, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rakibul Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Minzahur Rahman, Shahin Alam
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Fantasy team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ names to get the data while making your fantasy team.
My 11: Akbar Ali, Abidullah Taniwal, Noor Ahmad (vc), Shafiqullah Ghafari, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudul Hasan Joy (c), Shamim Hossain, Jamshid Khan, Abdullah Naib, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan
Tip: Given it will be a rain-interrupted contest, make sure you pick most batsmen from the team batting first. You never know how many overs will the match be reduced to, in the second innings.
Match prediction
When Afghanistan A toured Bangladesh last month, they won the Tests 0-1 and ODIs 0-4. Earlier this week, we all witnessed Afghanistan make history, beating Bangladesh in the only Test.
The current form of the U19 team too has been incredible. They gave the favourites India a scare, losing the match by a margin of 3 wickets.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, have not been challenged in the tournament yet. They will have to punch well above their weight if they are edge past the in-form Afghans.
Players to watch out for
Mahmudul Hasan Joy smashed a spectacular century, taking Bangladesh to a competitive total of 273 for 7 against Sri Lanka. On a slow and spinning track, he made sure he bats for as long as possible and keeps the innings together. It was an old-fashioned hundred, scoring runs with a strike rate of 91.3.
Towhid Hridoy continued his rich vein of form, collecting a consecutive half-century in the tournament. He will be a key player in the middle order.
Rakibul Hasan bagged yet another three-wicket haul. Batsmen haven’t able to score runs at will against his slow left-arm orthodox.
Two of the three joint-highest wicket-takers of the tournament are from Afghanistan: Shafiqullah Ghafari and Noor Ahmad have taken 8 wickets each.
Squads
Afghanistan: Farhan Zakhil(c), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah, Asif Musazai, Abdullah Naib, Shafiqullah Ghafari, Mohammad Ishaq(w), Abidullah Taniwal, Jamshid Khan, Fazal Haq, Noor Ahmad, Samiullah, Islam Zazai, Nangyal Khan, Abdul Rahman, Ahmad Zahir, Nangeyalia Kharote
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Akbar Ali(w/c), Shahadat Hossain, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rakibul Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Ashraful Islam, Anik Sarker Shatu, Minhazur Rahman, Shahin Alam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket