Bangladesh is set to clash with Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in Sharjah beginning October 2, marking an important chapter for both teams. Here are five key points to watch as the matches unfold.
Under new leadership, Bangladesh’s team dynamics will undergo significant scrutiny. With captain Litton Das sidelined due to a side strain, Jaker Ali will take the helm. Jaker previously led Bangladesh in two Asia Cup matches when Litton was unavailable, but faced challenges that resulted in defeats against India and Pakistan. Before that stint, he had not captained any team at domestic or Under-19 levels, leaving a question about his ability to manage both captaincy and wicketkeeping, especially against a formidable Afghanistan team. There is potential for Nurul Hasan to step into the wicketkeeping role to ease Jaker’s burden.
As Bangladesh seeks to establish a balance in their batting strategy, there are concerns about their approach to scoring. While acknowledging the importance of sixes in T20 cricket, their recent performances indicate a need for improved strike rotation. A stark contrast was noted in their match against Pakistan, where aggressive batting overshot the boundary at the expense of effective plays. In a more successful outing against Sri Lanka, however, they demonstrated a winning balance with successful half-centuries from Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy. This adaptability will be crucial against Afghanistan, especially given Bangladesh’s recent success against them in the Asia Cup.
On the Afghan side, following their exit from the Asia Cup, significant selections have been made, as players Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, and Fazalhaq Farooqi have been dropped from both the T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming series. Janat struggled this year with only 68 runs in eight T20I innings, while Naib has fallen behind in the selections. Excitingly, uncapped players Wafiullah Tarakhil and Bashir Ahmad have emerged as potential contributors, with the former notably stepping up with impressive performances in domestic leagues.
Afghanistan’s spin bowling remains a key strength for the team with Rashid Khan leading the way. The depth in their spin attack has historically outperformed that of Bangladesh in T20Is since 2020, making for an intriguing matchup in this area. Bangladesh hopes to counter this with the emergence of legspinner Rishad Hossain, which could add a layer of excitement to their spin battle.
Lastly, the venue in Sharjah poses additional challenges for Bangladesh. Afghanistan’s impressive track record, having won 20 out of 30 T20I matches held in the venue, underscores their stronghold there, especially when batting first. In stark contrast, Bangladesh has struggled, with only one victory in six matches. The soaring temperatures in Sharjah will further test the players’ fitness, ultimately impacting their overall performance.
As the series approaches, both teams are eager to assert their strengths and strategies in what promises to be a thrilling contest in the cricketing calendar.