Bangladesh vs Afghanistan clash in the 1st ODI at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. After a 3–0 T20I sweep by Bangladesh, Afghanistan aim to bounce back, while Bangladesh look to extend their winning momentum in challenging UAE conditions.
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Current Form:
Afghanistan
Afghanistan enter the ODI series after a disappointing 3–0 T20I defeat to Bangladesh, leaving their confidence shaken. Currently ranked 7th in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings with a rating of 91, Afghanistan will look to bounce back strongly.
Despite a modest run in the ODI format recently including missing out on the ICC Champions Trophy semifinals — they did manage a memorable group-stage win against England. With their solid bowling attack and improving batting unit, Afghanistan will still start as slight favorites in these conditions.
Players to Watch:
- Ibrahim Zadran: A consistent top-order performer, known for anchoring innings and building partnerships.
- Allah Ghazanfar: The young spinner impresses with control and wicket-taking ability, especially in middle overs.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh arrive with momentum after sweeping the T20I series 3–0, and they’ll aim to carry that dominance into the ODI leg. Ranked 10th in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings with a rating of 77, the Tigers have shown flashes of brilliance but remain inconsistent in the 50-over format.
They last played an ODI series in July, losing 2–1 to Sri Lanka. To challenge Afghanistan in UAE’s spin-friendly conditions, Bangladesh will need strong performances from both batters and bowlers.
Players to Watch:
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz: A genuine all-rounder capable of turning games with both bat and ball.
- Saif Hassan: In fine form after the Asia Cup and T20I series, he’ll look to cement his place in the ODI lineup.
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Squads:
Afghanistan:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem.
Bangladesh:
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C), Jaker Ali (WK), Nurul Hasan (WK), Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Rishad Hossain, Saif Hassan, Shamim Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed.
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Match Preview:
Afghanistan’s experience in UAE conditions gives them a slight edge, but Bangladesh’s recent form and newfound confidence make them dangerous. Expect a close contest, with Afghanistan’s spin attack and Bangladesh’s aggressive middle order likely to decide the outcome.