As the excitement builds for the ICC World Cup 2023, Afghanistan is gearing up to face Bangladesh in their campaign opener, scheduled for September 7 in Dharamsala. This third match of the tournament is set to commence at 10.30 am local time.
The Afghan team will be under the leadership of Hasmatullah Shahidi, who recently led Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, where they exhibited competitive cricket. Notably, they faced a loss to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup and will be seeking redemption in this upcoming clash.
Historically, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have squared off in 15 matches, with the Tigers securing victory in nine encounters while the Afghans managed to win six. Their past encounters have often produced riveting contests.
Afghanistan aims to rewrite their World Cup history, having failed to secure a single victory in the 2019 edition. Four years later, they enter the tournament with a squad featuring more experienced players. With the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, they boast perhaps the most formidable spin attack in the competition. All three players have gained valuable experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and possess a deep understanding of subcontinental playing conditions.
The success of Afghanistan’s campaign will hinge on the performance of their batsmen against various opponents. As they head into this opening game, their confidence is bolstered by a recent warm-up victory against Sri Lanka. Afghanistan’s batting lineup is top-heavy, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran forming the opening pair, followed by Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran in the middle order. Skipper Hasmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi are expected to play pivotal roles as well, with Nabi designated as the team’s finisher.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Afghanistan’s predicted playing XI for their clash against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup 2023 opener:
Afghanistan’s Playing XI vs. Bangladesh – ICC World Cup 2023, Match 3
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK): Gurbaz will assume the role of opening batsman. His recent century in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka showcased his good form heading into the tournament. He stands as the Afghan player with the most ODI centuries in the current squad, making him a key asset for their batting lineup.
As the countdown to the ICC World Cup 2023 intensifies, all eyes will be on Afghanistan’s promising squad as they seek to make their presence felt in the tournament’s early stages.