🏏Cricket World Cup 2023: Match #3: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh on 7 Oct

🏏Cricket World Cup 2023: Match #3 - Afghanistan vs Bangladesh at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala on 7 Oct 2023 at 10:30 AM IST🏏

Scenic Dharamsala offers Bangladesh, Afghanistan chance to grab early points

Bangladesh have to put their off-field issues behind whereas Afghanistan would want to shed their tag of big tournament underperformers

Afghanistan have been hot on Bangladesh's heels for the better part of the last decade. This year alone, they are locked at 2-2 after Afghanistan won the bilateral ODI series in Chattogram 2-1, but later Bangladesh beat them by a handsome margin in the Asia Cup. The two sets of players respect each other. There's bonhomie. But the gloves will be off in the World Cup opener for the two sides in Dharamsala on Saturday.

Bangladesh are coming off a 2-0 series defeat against New Zealand at home, having also won just two games in the Asia Cup, where they couldn't make the final. Off the field, there has been high drama after Shakib Al Hasan blasted Tamim Iqbal on the day Bangladesh left for India for the World Cup.

But there is hope. They have a group of youngsters who have an Under-19 World Cup title from three years ago. Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan and Tanzim Hasan are looking primed for their first senior 50-over World Cup. Hridoy has been the standout performer this year while Shoriful has snuck past Mustafizur Rahman in the left-arm quicks pecking order in the team.

There is much running on Tanzid, the left-hand opener, because Bangladesh have opted for just two regular openers in him and Litton Das. Although Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh's all-weather batter this year, could open against Afghanistan, like he did briefly in the Asia Cup. Mehidy has shown great form with both bat and ball this year, and so has the pace attack, led by Taskin Ahmed. They have shown that Bangladesh no longer need to rely on their spinners in the subcontinent no matter what format.

Bangladesh would also want to stop relying too heavily on the likes of Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim, who are playing their fifth World Cup, and Mahmudullah, who is playing his fourth tournament. Their future depends on it.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, have their own demons to deal with. Their biggest worry could be the lack of ODIs over the last four years. They are way below the average among the nations participating in the World Cup. As they often do in big tournaments, Afghanistan have brought back experienced players among their squad and traveling reserves.

A lot will depend on how their spin trio Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman performs. Their batting also needs to step up in the big tournament. The fact that Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have been in good form this year and Rahmat Shah, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Nabi have also shown decent touch bodes well for them.

Afghanistan, however, have to shed their tag of big tournament underperformers. They didn't win any games in the 2019 World Cup, while in the recent Asia Cup, they choked against Sri Lanka in the most miserable way. They would want to avoid these pitfalls on the biggest stage.

Tag Credit: Sutapasima

While rain has played spoilsport in some of the warm-up fixtures, the Himalayan backdrop of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala has raised concerns among fans. However, there's good news on the weather front, with no rain expected on Friday, October 7, when these two teams are set to lock horns. The match is scheduled to commence at 10:30 AM IST, and the forecast promises a rain-free day.

Unlike the rain-interrupted warm-up matches, Dharamsala is looking at a sunny day with a maximum temperature of 30°C during the day, gradually cooling down to 22°C in the evening. While dew can be a game-changer in cricket, Afghanistan and Bangladesh need not worry about it as this is a day match, set to conclude by 6 PM local time.

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium boasts nine pitches, but only three will be utilized for this World Cup, according to reports. These pitches, particularly the black soil ones, have earned high praise, especially from bowlers. The black soil wickets here provide consistent bounce, offering early-innings advantages to fast bowlers.

Turning out attention to the venue's recent history, the last One Day International (ODI) held here in 2020 was a washout. However, in the previous ODI at this venue, Sri Lanka managed to bowl out India for a mere 112 runs, with pace bowlers taking the lion's share of wickets. Interestingly, in the four ODIs played at this venue, teams chasing have had more success compared to those setting targets.

Pitch and conditions

India collapsed to 29 for 7 in the last ODI held at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Ground six years ago. It suggests swing and seam movement for an early start. There have, however, been big scores in the two IPL matches held here this year. The hilly town is expected to have crisp weather.

You know the drill. Don't forget to submit your predictions for match 3.

Toss prediction before 10:00 AM IST and rest of the predictions before 10:30 AM IST.

All the very best to everyone!

On either side of the hilly terrains of Dharamsala, you'll spot hoardings welcoming you to the city and the World Cup. The cordial invitation is aplenty leading up to the stadium, with faces of Arun Dhumal (IPL chairman) and Anurag Thakur (Ex-BCCI president, current politician) plastered on them. A certain level of anticipation for World Cup games at this beautiful venue - India's answer to Newlands - only adds up. The last time a World Cup was played in India (2016 T20 World Cup), this pristine stadium missed out on hosting the India-Pakistan game on security grounds and had to contend with just one marquee fixture in Australia-v-New Zealand. That's however, not an issue now as two weeks later India and New Zealand will square off here.

But before we get there, there are three more matches at the HPCA stadium, starting off with Saturday's morning fixture. The Afghanistan-Bangladesh game might not be the top-billing clash that the locals flock to but it comes with its own intriguing narrative. Four years ago, the two teams met under different circumstances - Afghanistan had gone 6 defeats in 6 and were already out, and Bangladesh were just about hanging on with 2 wins and 3 defeats in 6.

It led to one of the most hilarious tongue-in-cheek moments of the World Cup as Gulbadin Naib (then Afghanistan captain) stunned the media with these pre-match words: "Hum toh doobe hain sanam, tumko bhi lekar doobenge" [We've sunk darling, we'll now take you (Bangladesh) down with us]. No dragging of any sort happened as Afghanistan lost, but both teams ended up going home early.

On Saturday they cross paths with the kind of vigour and enthusiasm you bring to the initial stages of the tournament where all teams start out on the same footing, and with semifinal aspirations. Bangladesh come with an extra chip on their shoulder of having beaten Afghanistan rather thoroughly in the recent Asia Cup. Afghanistan, meanwhile, have familiarity with Indian conditions and a bullish captain about the fortunes of a team that won no game in the 2019 edition. "I think our mindset is different now," Hashmatullah Shahidi said in response to a question on Afghanistan under-performing in big tournaments. "As a leader, I am very confident that this time, in this World Cup we'll achieve a lot. That's our aim and target. We don't worry about what's happened in the past."

Team news:

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan has a big call to make with regards to the pacers he picks. Mustafizur Rahman, his most experienced bowler, warmed the bench almost all through the Asia Cup while Bangladesh fielded two youngsters in Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud alongside Taskin Ahmed. In the inconsequential win against India though, Mustafizur played and picked three wickets, and brings a sense of awareness about the conditions on offer in India.

Shakib also has a dilemma for the other end of the line-up. Tanzid Tamim batted admirably in the warm-up games and should slot in alongside Litton Das but it was floater Mehidy Hasan Miraz who gave Bangladesh some early batting impetus to set up the win against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup.

Tactics & Strategy: Taskin Ahmed has 21 wickets in 10 ODIs this year and will be Bangladesh's bowling trump card against Afghanistan. In this format, he's kept the free-spirited Rahmanullah Gurbaz in check (28 runs in 61 balls and 1 dismissal) and has been a thorn in Rahmat Shah's flesh (5 dismissals in 77 deliveries).

Probable XI: Tanzid Tamim, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam

Afghanistan: Naveen-ul-Haq is back in ODIs after a two-year gap, and apparently for the last time in the format. He will form the new-ball pair with Fazalhaq Farooqi while all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai can chip in as a third quick. Afghanistan are likely to pick a three-man spin department with Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman.

Tactics & Strategy: Fazalhaq Farooqi could be the man to dictate terms early when Bangladesh bat as he has a good record against Litton Das. Bangladesh have been slow starters recently - an aspect that Farooqi and Afghanistan could take advantage of to gain an early upperhand. Interestingly, Bangladesh addressed that issue in the Asia Cup against Afghanistan by promoting Mehidy Hasan to open the innings. It was a move that worked well, and could be looked at again. Through the middle, Rashid Khan-v-Mushfiqur Rahim makes for an engaging battle.

Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq

Stats and trivia:

Bangladesh have a chance to win their third successive opening match of a World Cup campaign after beating Afghanistan (2015) and South Africa (2019). Afghanistan have lost both first matches in their previous World Cup appearances.

Shakib Al Hasan needs 41 more runs to top the list of allrounders with 1000 runs and 10 wickets in World Cups. He has 34 wickets already, free and clear of the next best on that same list.

Afghanistan's 29 ODIs in the last four years are the least among all participating teams in this year's World Cup.

Tag Credit: Sutapasima

In the spotlight: Afghan openers and floater Mehidy

Everybody talks about Afghanistan's spinners, but they want you to know that their opening batters are impressive, too. Zadran and Gurbaz are their top two run-scorers this year, and they are the most likely pair to add a fifty or a hundred partnership in a line-up where batting has not always given them the best numbers. Like fire and ice: Gurbaz provides the big hits and Zadran keeps the innings moving with regular strike rotation. Zadran too is capable of big hits, having emerged as one of their brightest stars since the 2019 World Cup.

Afghanistan often depend on their top order for quick runs•AFP via Getty Images

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has batted at four different spots this year. In the two warm-ups, he scored confident fifties against Sri Lanka and England at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively. He struck an unbeaten 112 against Afghanistan as an opener in the Asia Cup so he could be opening again on Saturday. The team management believes he is especially good at nullifying mystery spinners like Mujeeb.

When: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, October 7, 2023, 10.30 AM IST

Where: HPCA stadium, Dharamsala

What to expect: A chilly morning with temperatures in the early 20s and some hazy sunshine is in the offing. The venue has been kinder to pacers - they've picked 36 wickets in 4 ODIs here, while spinners have just 17. It's a stat that should please Bangladesh more than Afghanistan, as they prepare to unleash a three-pronged pace attack.

Quotes

"I think four or five players from that [Under-19] World Cup winning side in 2020. They will bring so much positivity to the group. They have done it in the past. They have a lot of energy. I am excited about the whole team, including my staff. We have high hopes and want to enjoy."

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha about the first-timers playing the senior World Cup

Did you know:

- Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh's all-round star in ODI World Cups, with 1146 runs and 34 wickets. This will also be Shakib's fifth World Cup

- Fazalhaq Farooqi has been menacing in the first PowerPlay (1-10 overs) since 2022, with 18 wickets and an economy rate of 4.85

- Rahmanullah Gurbaz averages 49.00 and strikes at 86.47 against Bangladesh in ODIs. Two of his five centuries in the format have come against them.

- Since the 2019 World Cup, Mehidy Hasan Miraz has picked 56 wickets in 47 ODIs - the most for Bangladesh