Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Highlights, World Cup 2023: BAN post 6-wicket win with 15 overs to spare versus AFG

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, World Cup: Bangladesh’s build-up to the World Cup has been marred by infighting and will have their task cut out when they face Afghanistan in their World Cup opener in Dharamsala with both teams seeking a breakout start to their campaigns.

After Tamim Iqbal’s exclusion from the World Cup team, a war of words broke out between him and skipper Shakib Al Hasan, the feud playing out in the open barely days before the start of the showpiece.

Following Tamim’s omission from the 15-member list, the selectors cited opener’s back injury for the decision, but while speaking to a sports channel, Shakib revealed that Tamim refused to bat at No. 3 in their first World Cup match against Afghanistan.

The star all-rounder even went on to call Tamim “childish” and said he isn’t a team-man, leaving the seasoned opener furious.

Injuries to some of their players has also not helped the team that has had an inconsistent year in ODIs, losing nine matches while winning eight with three no results.

In comparison, Afghanistan have progressed as a cricketing nation
since getting ICC full membership in 2017. What they need now is a breakout performance in a global event to underline that growth, though their World Cup record is a far cry form that, having managed only one victory from 15 games, which came against Scotland.

Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, boast of a formidable spin department in the form of veteran Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad.

Squads:

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.

(with inputs from PTI)