Bangladesh and Afghanistan will face off in the first of three one-day internationals (ODIs) on Wednesday, February 23. The game will take place in Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The hosts have reason to celebrate as their ODI captain, Tamim Iqbal, has returned after a lengthy injury layoff. The Chattogram-born southpaw was a leading run-scorer in the Bangabandu Bangladesh Premier League in 2022. (BPL). Mustafizur Rahman was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, and he’ll be hoping to maintain that momentum into the 50-over games. Shakib Al Hasan must be full of confidence after Fortune Barishal finished second in the BPL.
Barishal had a seven-match winning streak before losing to the Comilla Victorians in the final by one run. Right-hander Mahmudul Hasan Joy performed admirably in the New Zealand Tests before being forced out due to a finger injury. Afghanistan recently defeated the Netherlands in a three-match One-Day International series in Qatar, headed by Hashmatullah Shahidi. Before taking on Tamim and company, they should be full of confidence. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was outstanding in that series, scoring a century.
Gurbaz also performed admirably for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Rashid Khan is also fresh from his PSL stint with the Lahore Qalandars. Mujeeb Ur Rahman played for Barishal in the BPL and is doing well.
