Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in the first of three ODIs on February 23 and the visitors’ spin threat will be the key component around which the Tigers base their strategies.
Despite Afghanistan’s dominant spin attack, national selector Habibul Bashar said that the Tigers, having gotten back key players, are confident going into the series.
“Afghanistan have world-class spinners in their side like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman alongside others like Qais [Ahmad] who have quality. Afghanistan are also a good side in the white-ball format but we have a stable side at the moment and ODI is a format that experienced players in the side find more favourable. Every side has a key option to rely on and such players can make the difference. But when it comes to international cricket, you have to have the ability to come up with answers to such challenges,” Bashar told The Daily Star yesterday.
Bangladesh last played an ODI in July last year during a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Although the core remains intact for the Afghanistan series, there are quite a few changes to the squad.
“Our best players are in the side. Although there may have been some issues with batting previously, batters are finding their rhythm. We expect to do well with these players. We have been out of ODI cricket for a while and the pressure of doing well at home only adds to the challenge. But I feel the players are confident enough to bring out good performances,” Bashar stated.
The wickets will be in focus at Chattogram but the recently-concluded BPL has seen high scores. “The tracks at Chattogram have been batting-friendly. We will know more when we get there,” he concluded.
The Bangladesh squad reached Chattogram yesterday and took part in their first practice session, albeit without two key stars in Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. It was learned that both would arrive in Chattogram today.
Squad members alongside staff tested negative for Covid-19 after the latest round of tests on Saturday before entering the bio-secure bubble, but batting coach Jamie Siddons tested positive yet again. Jamie, who initially tested positive on February 12, will have to isolate in Dhaka. However, under current guidelines, he will be able to join the side in a few days without any further tests.
“Siddons returned a positive test once again. But it has been eight days since he initially tested positive. According to the Tokyo 2020 Guidebook, he can join the team without undergoing any test 10 days after returning a positive for the first time. He is also doing well,” Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) physician Monzur Hossain Chowdhury informed The Daily Star yesterday.
Afghanistan also underwent their first practice session in Chattogram following a week-long preparation camp in Sylhet. Former Bangladesh coach Stuart Law, who was named interim head coach by Afghanistan on Saturday, oversaw the practice session.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is trying to convince concerned authorities to permit the stadium to operate at 50 per cent capacity during the upcoming series. The full version of DRS was not available during the BPL, but will be available for the series against Afghanistan, BCB confirmed.
-With The Daily Star input
