Chance to fine-tune before title clash
Ahead of the T20I tri-series final on September 23, both Bangladesh and Afghanistan will have one more chance to tinker with and work on their game plans as the two teams face off today in what will be a dress rehearsal of the final in the last round-robin game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chattogram.
Bangladesh won both their games against Zimbabwe and confirmed their place in the final. With Zimbabwe losing both their first-round matches, that also confirmed Afghanistan’s place in the title-decider, but Rashid Khan’s team will be smarting after the defeat to Zimbabwe last in the dead-rubber game last night. Likewise, Shakib Al Hasan’s Bangladesh will also be looking to correct course after losing their first game to Afghanistan in Mirpur.
Afghanistan had a chance to experiment with their playing eleven during yesterday’s game. They made three changes from their previous match and tried to test their bench strength by including Shafiqullah, Fazal Niazai and Dawlat Zadran.
Bangladesh will similarly be looking to make a few changes to the eleven that clinched the 39-run win over Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
Despite an impressive by young leg-spinner Aminul Islam, the 19-year-old is highly unlikely to take part in today’s’ game as he had to have three stitches on his left hand because of an injury during sustained during Wednesday’s math. The youngster did bowl a few overs in the nets yesterday with a bandaged left hand, but the team management would not want to risk further injury in a non-consequential match today.
The top order has been the major concern for Afghanistan in the series, with yesterday’s game being an exception, and the Bangladesh think tank will be targeting the weakest part of the opposition and will likely look to strengthen their bowling department.
As Afghanistan mostly bank on their power hitting in the middle order to post fighting totals and later test the opposition with their strength in spin bowling, it will be important for Bangladesh to bat solidly themselves and try to restrict the Afghan batsmen.
The likes of pacer Rubel Hossain may be included for todays’ game while left-arm spinner Taijul Islam could replace the injured Aminul.
Pacer Shafiul Islam also made a good comeback to T20Is, picking up three wickets against Zimbabwe, while another seamer Mohammad Saifuddin is in good form, which means the team management will have the luxury to rest Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the final.
There is also talk that head coach Russell Domingo may want to test another newcomer in left-handed opener Nayeem Sheikh, who was included in the squad for the last two group games.
However, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who was involved in a promising opening partnership with Liton Das on T20I debut but missed out as his contribution was just nine, may get another opportunity.
There may well be some experimentation, but skipper Shakib would also want to hold on to the winning momentum to take some confidence into the final.
“Tomorrow’s [Saturday’s] game is important for all of us because if we can play well it will boost our confidence and the winning habit will help us to play better in the final,” Shafiul told reporters yesterday.
Bangladesh, who have lost their last four T20Is against Afghanistan, will surely want to snap the losing streak but for that the Tigers will have to come up with a better approach and game plan to outplay the high-flying Afghans.
