Mate vs Mate: Showdown in the World Cup 2023 – Afghanistan vs Bangladesh

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh World Cup 2023: A Rivalry Renewed

And a wicket out of almost nothing

In the much-anticipated clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh at the World Cup 2023, it was Bangladesh who drew first blood. Tanzid Hasan’s run out, a moment of brilliance with a direct hit from point, left the opener inches short of his crease. The early wicket provided Afghanistan with an early setback, as they were left reeling at 22 for 1 after five overs.

Enterprising start for Bangladesh

Despite losing a wicket early on, Bangladesh managed to make an enterprising start to their innings. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the Afghan bowlers, were off the boil, and Bangladesh capitalised on their loose deliveries. The opening pair of Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan took advantage of wayward lines to take Bangladesh to 19 for 0 after four overs.

Can the Afghan spinners do their magic?

The slow nature of the pitch in Dharamsala gave hope to the Afghan spinners, who are known for their prowess in such conditions. The likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman warmed up diligently, preparing to spin a web around the Bangladeshi batsmen. Early wickets would be crucial for Afghanistan, as they aimed to defend a modest total.

Afghanistan collapse to 156 all-out

In a collapse of epic proportions, Afghanistan went from a relatively comfortable position of 83 for 1 after 15 overs to being all-out for 156 in just 37.2 overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan led the way for Bangladesh with three wickets each. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the only batsman to make a significant contribution, scoring 47, while the rest of the Afghan batting line-up failed to provide any support.

No respite from Bangladesh

Even after losing early wickets, Afghanistan failed to find any respite from the Bangladeshi bowlers. Shakib Al Hasan dismissed Najibullah Zadran and Ibrahim Zadran to further dent Afghanistan‘s chances. The collapse continued as Hashmatullah Shahidi struggled to get going and lost his wicket to Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The Bangladeshi spinners, in particular, were proving to be a challenge for the Afghan batters.

From 112 for 2 to 126 for 6

Afghanistan‘s middle order faltered under the pressure of the Bangladeshi spinners, causing their score to plummet from 112 for 2 to 126 for 6. Mohammad Nabi and Rahmat Shah failed to provide the stability the team needed as Taskin Ahmed dismissed Nabi with a sharp delivery that sent the leg stump cartwheeling. Afghanistan‘s hopes now rested on the lower order to salvage the innings.

Spin it to win it!

The slow pitch in Dharamsala benefitted the spinners, and Bangladesh‘s Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan made the most of it. Mehidy bowled with tight lines and lengths, conceding only 19 runs from his first seven overs. The pressure built by the spinners resulted in wickets falling at regular intervals for Afghanistan. The Bangladeshi spin trio proved why they are considered the backbone of their bowling attack.

Need a wicket? Call Shakib, maybe.

Shakib Al Hasan once again proved his worth as an allrounder by making crucial breakthroughs for Bangladesh. He dismissed Najibullah Zadran with a delivery that went straight through, surprising the batsman and crashing into the stumps. Shakib’s ability to pick up wickets at crucial moments continued to be a valuable asset for his team.

One brings two!

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s dismissal was a turning point in the match, as he threw away a promising start by failing to account for Mustafizur Rahman’s slower ball. Gurbaz could only slice the ball to deep cover, where the fielder took a good catch. Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman celebrated the wicket, knowing that it had put Bangladesh firmly in control of the game.

Mehidy ends Shahidi’s struggles

Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s excellent bowling frustrated Afghanistan‘s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, who struggled to score off him. After 22 balls and only 3 runs, Shahidi attempted a slog but failed to connect properly, resulting in a simple catch for Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi spinners suffocated Afghanistan‘s batters, leaving them with no room to breathe.

Spin FTW!

With the fast bowlers struggling to make an impact, it was the Bangladeshi spinners who emerged as the heroes of the day. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan kept the Afghan batters under constant pressure, bowling tight lines and lengths. Their combined figures of 4 for 36 from 13 overs showcased their dominance. Afghanistan now relied on their lower-order batsmen to rescue their innings.

Mehidy ends Shahidi’s struggles

Rewarding his excellent bowling, Mehidy Hasan Miraz finally dismissed Hashmatullah Shahidi, who had struggled against him throughout his innings. Mehidy’s tight lines prevented Shahidi from scoring freely, and the batsman eventually fell trying to loft Mehidy over the infield. The Bangladeshi spinners had put a leash on Afghanistan‘s batsmen, denying them any easy runs.

High altitudes making the difference

The picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, with its stunning backdrop of misty mountains and the Himalayas, provided a unique setting for the match. The high altitude affected the game, with the ball traveling differently in the thin air. Shots that would have been routine at sea level left fielders scrambling at Dharamsala. The small boundaries and cross-winds added to the challenges faced by the players.

Dial Shakib for a wicket!

Shakib Al Hasan showcased his skills once again, picking up early wickets to put Afghanistan on the back foot. His clever variation and accuracy accounted for Ibrahim Zadran, who mistimed a sweep and handed a simple catch to square leg. Shakib’s ability to strike when needed made him an invaluable asset for Bangladesh.

Ibrahim – Afghanistan‘s rock at the top

Despite the wickets falling around him, debutant Ibrahim Zadran showcased his batting prowess at the top of the order. With an impressive average of 57.81 in ODI cricket since January 2022, Ibrahim displayed composure and confidence in his stroke play. He played some exquisite drives and looked unfazed by the occasion, giving Afghanistan a promising start to the innings.

Gurbaz in his elements early

Rahmanullah Gurbaz demonstrated his class at the top of the order with some impressive strokeplay. His flourishing flick through mid-on off Shoriful Islam was perfectly timed, showcasing his ability to find the gaps in the field. Despite the slow outfield, Gurbaz’s shots were played with precision and power, giving Afghanistan the early momentum.

All set then!

The clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh was set in motion as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took the field against Bangladesh‘s Taskin Ahmed. Gurbaz got off the mark with a well-executed cover-point shot, but Taskin responded with a swinging delivery that caused some discomfort. The early overs provided glimpses of an exciting battle between bat and ball in Dharamsala.

Rashid Khan – Afghanistan‘s global superstar

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan‘s star spinner, found himself in the spotlight once again. The world-renowned spinner enjoys a significant fan following and is expected to play a vital role in Afghanistan‘s World Cup campaign. The Afghan supporters in the stands demonstrated their support for Rashid, creating an electric atmosphere in Dharamsala.

Good toss to win for Bangladesh?

Winning the toss was a boon for Bangladesh, as they opted to field first. The conditions in Dharamsala, including some nip in the air and helpful fast-bowling conditions, played into their hands. Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman would look to exploit the early assistance provided by the pitch. On the other hand, Afghanistan‘s openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmat Shah faced the challenge of countering the swinging ball early on.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan:
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
2. Ibrahim Zadran
3. Rahmat Shah
4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)
5. Mohammad Nabi
6. Najibullah Zadran
7. Azmatullah Omarzai
8. Rashid Khan
9. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
10. Naveen-ul-Haq
11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Bangladesh:
1. Litton Das
2. Tanzid Hasan
3. Najmul Hossain Shanto
4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz
5. Shakib Al Hasan (capt)
6. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk)
7. Towhid Hridoy
8. Mahmudullah
9. Taskin Ahmed
10. Shoriful Islam
11. Mustafizur Rahman

Match Day Live!

The much-awaited clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh is underway, and the crowd is buzzing with excitement. The lively atmosphere in Dharamsala, combined with the breathtaking backdrop of misty mountains, adds to the charm of the World Cup. Fans from both nations passionately support their respective teams, creating an electric atmosphere that sets the stage for a thrilling contest.

Bangladesh win the toss…

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to field first. The decision was well-received, considering the swing and assistance that the fast bowlers could extract from the pitch. Bangladesh aimed to deflect the Afghan batting line-up and chase down a modest total. The toss victory provided an early advantage for Bangladesh, putting them in a strong position from the outset.

What’s the pitch got in store today?

The picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, with its breathtaking backdrop of misty mountains and the Himalayas, sets the stage for an intriguing clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The pitch offers some assistance to the fast bowlers, with good bounce and elevated pace. The batsmen will have to adjust to the conditions, particularly the cross-winds and the relatively small boundaries. The outfield may be slow, requiring the batsmen to rely on timing and placement rather than brute force.

But there is hope…

Despite their recent struggles, both Afghanistan and Bangladesh have reasons to be hopeful. Bangladesh boasts a talented group of youngsters who were part of the U-19 World Cup-winning team three years ago. Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan, and Tanzim Hasan are all primed to make an impact in their debut senior 50-over World Cup. Afghanistan, on the other hand, possesses a strong spin attack led by Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Both teams will be eager to shed their underperformer’s tag in major tournaments and make a strong statement in the World Cup.

Time for Afghanistan and Bangladesh to turn a new leaf?

Both Afghanistan and Bangladesh enter the World Cup with mixed form and past disappointments. Bangladesh‘s lead-up to the tournament has been far from ideal, with poor performances at the Asia Cup and a recent series loss against New Zealand. Off-field controversies have also plagued the team. On the other hand, Afghanistan‘s track record in World Cups is not impressive, with just one win in their previous 15 matches. However, both teams have the talent and potential to turn their fortunes around in this edition of the World Cup.

Hellos from Dharamsala, where it’s warm!

The picturesque town of Dharamsala sets the stage for the clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, with the spectators basking in the warm weather. The scenic HPCA Stadium provides a stunning backdrop for the match, as the misty mountains in the distance add to the beauty of the surroundings. Despite the warm weather, the players are focused on the task at hand, showcasing their skills and passion for the game.

Overall, the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh match in the World Cup 2023 promises to be a riveting encounter, with both teams eager to make their mark in the tournament. The match is expected to be a fierce battle between Afghanistan‘s spin attack and Bangladesh‘s young batting talent. The conditions in Dharamsala, with its unique pitch and breathtaking backdrop, add an extra element of excitement to the contest. Fans from both nations will be eagerly watching as their teams fight for victory in this much-anticipated showdown.