Bangladesh Face Afghanistan in a Must-Win Match to Keep Final Hopes Alive: Two Changes Likely, Net Run Rate Also in the Equation
Bangladesh are standing at the edge in the tri-nation ODI series. Having started the series with a loss to Zimbabwe, today's match against Afghanistan is effectively a do-or-die battle for the team. To reach the final, Bangladesh have no alternative but to win this match.
Winning alone, however, may not settle the equation. Bangladesh must also keep the net run rate calculation in mind. After losing the opening match by a big margin, the margin of today's victory could also become important for a side that is behind on run rate.
The Bangladesh-Afghanistan match will start at 5:30pm Bangladesh time. T-Sports will broadcast the match live. As the team takes the field to keep its final hopes alive, viewers' eyes will also be fixed on this match.
Changes to Bangladesh's XI for this do-or-die match are almost certain. Parvez Hossain Emon may be seen opening alongside Tanzid Hasan Tamim. In that case, Soumya Sarkar could be dropped.
Behind Emon's inclusion in the squad lies an injury backdrop. When Litton Das was ruled out through injury, Parvez Hossain Emon was brought into the squad as his replacement. Today, that replacement player may well find a place in the playing XI.
In the middle order, Najmul Hossain Shanto stays at number three. Saif Hassan's place at number four is also secure. Captain Towhid Hridoy will bat at five. In other words, the core structure of the top and middle order remains unchanged, with changes coming in two specific spots.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz returns to the lower middle order. Mosaddek Hossain follows him. Miraz's return is expected to add batting depth as well as an extra bowling option for the team.
There is also a hint of another change in the spin department. If Rishad Hossain goes out of the XI, Alis Al Islam could make his debut. In that case, the spinner could be seen in international cricket for the first time in today's important match itself.
The plan in the pace attack is to play three pacers. Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman may all be seen together in the XI. Bangladesh's pace unit could be built around this trio.
The probable XI thus stands as: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy (captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Alis Al Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Mustafizur Rahman.
Bangladesh had started with a defeat to Zimbabwe in the first match. To recover from that blow and settle the final equation, Hridoy's team will need full points against Afghanistan today as well as keeping the run-rate calculation in their favour.
All in all, today's match is not just about one win; it is a fight to survive in the series. How far Bangladesh — taking the field with two changes and a possible debut — succeed in that fight is now the thing to watch.
