BAN vs AFG: Afghanistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2023, Group B - Predicted

Afghanistan will start their campaign on Sunday with a game against Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2023.

Asia Cup 2023 started on August 30 with a game between Pakistan and Nepal. This tournament has two groups of three teams each. India, Pakistan, and Nepal are in group A, while group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. Two teams each from both groups will make it to the next round. The fourth game of the tournament will see a clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

It will be the first game of the tournament for the Afghans, while Bangladesh are coming off a defeat in their opening match against Sri Lanka. Thus, this will be a great chance for Afghanistan to win against a struggling Bangladesh team who are in a must-win situation. Here we will talk about the predicted playing XI for Afghanistan against Bangladesh on Sunday.

BAN vs AFG: Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI vs Bangladesh

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz:

Among the other openers in the tournament, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is currently in the form of his life. He recently smashed 151 runs in the second ODI against Pakistan ahead of Asia Cup 2023. Gurbaz will be a big wicket because if he gets set, he will play a big innings. Five centuries in 20 ODIs is not a joke. He has scored 293 runs at an average of 58 in just six games against Bangladesh.

2. Ibrahim Zadran:

Ibrahim Zadran is another talented opener who has had a dream start to his international career. He has also scored four centuries in just 17 ODIs, including the highest individual score for Afghanistan. Against Bangladesh, he has played four matches and scored 161 runs at an average of 53. He is another in-form opener in this tournament.

3. Rahmat Shah:

Rahmat Shah is an experienced No. 3 for Afghanistan who has been delivering for a long time. He has played 95 ODIs and scored 3191 runs at an average of 36. He has played 12 matches against Bangladesh and scored 285 runs. Rahmat has also taken three wickets. He is a key player in the top order who has the ability to stay on the crease if they lose an early wicket.

4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)

Afghan captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, comes in at No. 4 to control the innings. He is coming off some low scores but is expected to score in a big match. The captain has scored 294 runs in 12 innings played against Bangladesh and is aware of the challenges he will face on match day.

5. Najibullah Zadran:

Veteran left-hander Najibullah Zadran has been a key player for his country in the white-ball setup. His ability to score quickly and finish the innings makes him a big player in the playing XI. His approach to the game is always attacking, irrespective of the match situation, which makes him a difficult batter to bowl to. Against Bangladesh, he has played 12 games and scored 258 runs so far.

6. Mohammad Nabi:

Mohammad Nabi is the oldest player to play in Asia Cup in 2023. He is not just old, he has immense experience and has been in difficult situations over the years. His all-round ability is pretty handy for the team, and when he starts hitting the ball, there is no stopping him. Against Bangladesh, he played 14 matches, scored 259 runs, and also took 17 wickets with the ball.

7. Karim Janat:

The bowling all-rounder Karim Janat will be at No. 7 for Afghanistan. He has established himself in the shorter formats but has played only one ODI so far. But his ability to bowl at pace and hit the ball far makes him a good addition to any team. It will be his first game against Bangladesh in 50-overs cricket, but he is capable of changing the match in Afghanistan's favor.

8. Gulbadin Naib:

Veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib is another important member of Afghan team. He is a useful lower-order batter and a change-up bowler who can bowl some useful overs in the middle. He is among the most experienced players on the team and has a smart brain. Naib has played five games against Bangladesh and has scored 106 runs and taken four wickets.

9. Rashid Khan:

Superstar Rashid Khan comes in at No. 9 for the Afghan team. Rashid needs no introduction in the game, and whatever he does, he is best at it. In T20Is, he has been at his best, but ODIs hasn't been his forte. But you never know, he has the ability to change the game in any situation, and with improved batting ability, he has become a true match-winner. Rashid has played 11 games against Bangladesh, taken 19 wickets, and scored 128 runs.

10. Mujeeb ur Rahman:

Mujeeb ur Rahman is coming off the fastest ODI fifty for Afghanistan in the last match against Pakistan, which showed that he has some batting skills as well. But his prime role is to take wickets with the new ball, which makes him an important member. He has taken 12 wickets in nine games against Bangladesh.

11. Fazalhaq Farooqi:

Fazalhaq Farooqi is Afghanistan's go-through bowler with the ball. He picks wickets in the power play and also bowls at the death. Farooqi has taken 32 wickets in 19 games and will be key up front for his team in the game.