Bangladesh to take on Afghanistan in the 3rd ODI [Source: BCBTigers/X}
Bangladesh lost the tri-series opener against Zimbabwe, and now the team faces an uphill task as they take on Afghanistan in a must-win clash. Bangladesh had the momentum with them in the first ODI of the tri-series, but they allowed it to slip as the Tigers crumbled.
The Afghanistan challenge won’t be easy as they defeated the hosts by a big margin on Sunday. Ahead of the riveting contest, we take a look at Bangladesh’s predicted playing XI, with a couple of changes expected.
Openers and top order: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto
Bangladesh batting flopped in the first ODI, but Tanzid Hasan was the lone star as he scored a quickfire 46 off 38 and laid the foundation for a win before the team crumbled.
Soumya Sarkar failed in the first ODI against Zimbabwe, and with Litton Das out, there is no perfect replacement for him in the team, and hence, the Tigers might give him one more chance to shine in a must-win clash.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, too, failed to deliver in the first ODI of the tri-series, but he has the experience of playing in big matches, and Bangladesh would hope he can get back amongst the run-scorers.
Middle order and all-rounders: Towhid Hridoy(c), Mosaddek Hossain, Saif Hassan, Nurul Hasan(w)
In the absence of Litton Das, Bangladesh has a weak middle order, and a lot will depend on how Towhid Hridoy plays in the middle order. The stand-in captain has a big responsibility, and he holds the key for the team against Afghan spinners.
Mosaddek Hossain couldn’t do much in the first ODI against Zimbabwe, and he’ll hope for a better show with both the bat and ball as Bangladesh needs to win the game to stay alive in the tournament.
Saif Hassan, the hard-hitting batter, will play the role of a finisher against the Afghanistan side, and he’ll be tasked with taking down Rashid Khan, who ran riot in the last game.
Alongside Hasan, Nurul Hasan will also be a designated finisher, and just like Saif, he, too, will hope to get some runs under his belt.
Bowlers: Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Aliss Al Islam
Rishad Hossain was expensive in the last game, but Bangladesh will back him to come good against Afghanistan on a spin-friendly pitch. He has the experience of playing in UAE conditions, and Rishad will hope for a better show.
Shoriful Islam took 2 wickets in the last game against Zimbabwe, and he’ll once again be the key for Bangladesh with the ball, especially in the first 10 overs.
Taskin Ahmed ran riot with 3 wickets against Zimbabwe, and alongside Shoriful, he, too, will hope to continue the good showing in a must-win match.
Mustafizur Rahman couldn’t get a wicket in the first ODI, and in recent times, he has struggled for wickets. Watching Rashid Khan run riot in the last game, the Tigers can take a punt and include Aliss Al Islam in his place. The off-break bowler can turn out to be their X-factor.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI vs Afghanistan - 3rd ODI, UAE Tri-Series 2026
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy(c), Mosaddek Hossain, Saif Hassan, Nurul Hasan(w), Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Aliss Al Islam
