Time: 5 Mar, 2.30 PM IST
Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
Pitch Report
The wicket is likely to remain slow and low. Even the seamers might be compelled to use their cutters frequently to deceive the batters.
Teams
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Liton Das (wk), Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah (c), Yasir Ali, Afif Hossain, Munim Shahriar, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Probable XI for Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Qais Ahmad
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Litton Das has been in sparkling form against Afghanistan. In his last three innings, he has scored 60, 86, and 136. In addition, he will also be donning the gloves if Mushfiqur Rahim’s thumb injury prevents him from taking the field.
Shakib Al Hasan might have scored only one fifty in seven attempts against Afghanistan, but he has been impressive with the ball by bagging 10 wickets. Eventually, it is his match-winning ability that makes him the hottest pick in fantasy leagues.
Smart Picks
Nasum Ahmed destroyed Afghanistan with his wily spin-bowling in the previous game. Bangladesh have been using him as an attacking spinner lately, and going by his current form, he should continue to pose a serious threat to the visitors.
Although the pitch is unlikely to offer any support for the seamers, Mustafizur Rahman is capable of picking wickets with his slower deliveries. He is effective at the death.
With 13 wickets in 6 games against Bangladesh, Rashid Khan might turn out to be Afghanistan’s trump card. Often, his economical bowling also adds valuable fantasy cricket points.
Mahedi Hasan’s disciplined bowling helps him pick wickets regularly, especially in the powerplay. In addition, he can also get handy runs down the order.
Mujeeb Ur Rehman might have gone wicketless in the last match but will have fond memories of his four-wicket haul at Mirpur in 2019.
Hazratullah Zazai may be inconsistent, but he has the ability to score rapidly in the powerplay, especially on the leg-side.
Fazalhaq Farooqi has been the best bowler (8 wickets in 4 games) for Afghanistan on this tour. The experience of playing in the Bangladesh T20 League has helped him operate better.
Although the tourists were bundled out for a paltry 94, Najibullah Zadran finished as the highest run-scorer (27). Regardless of the situation, his shot-making ability is impressive.
Mohammad Nabi hasn’t been at his best on this tour of Bangladesh. That said, the veteran cricketer has single-handedly won multiple games for his side with both bat and ball.
Match Preview
Both teams have locked horns seven times in the shortest format, with Afghanistan winning 4 and Bangladesh 3. However, the hosts won the opening encounter in an emphatic fashion and will be keen on wrapping up the series.
