'Rule them out at your own peril' - Aakash Chopra cautions teams of Afghanistan's form ahead of World Cup 2023

Afghanistan outplayed Bangladesh by 142 runs in the second ODI on July 8 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram to clinch their first-ever ODI series. Notably, Afghanistan won the opening match by 17 runs using the DLS method and now lead the series 2-0 heading into the last game scheduled on Tuesday, July 11 in Chattogram. 
 
Meanwhile, former India opener Aakash Chopra was full of praise for Afghanistan for winning the ODI series in Bangladesh. He also lambasted team India, who had failed to beat Bangladesh during their previous tour. He recalled the India-Bangladesh series, in which Rohit Sharma was injured and the visitors fell 2-0 before keeper-batter Ishan Kishan thrashed them in the final match and helped the side win the third ODI.

"Afghanistan have won both the matches. They have defeated Bangladesh in their own backyard. This is the same Bangladesh where we lost the series. Remember that series where Rohit got injured and the Indian team lost the series, fell 2-0 behind, and then Ishan Kishan destroyed them in the last match where India won," Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube channel.

The 45-year-old went on to say that the Afghanistan spinners were instrumental during the game, as they consistently took wickets. He also lauded openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz who struck with a 256-run opening-wicket partnership. Chopra reckoned that the win in subcontinental conditions will help Afghanistan in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, which begins in October.

"They spun a web of spin, the spinners have picked up wickets consistently. Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz - batting has fired. Afghanistan are saying these are also subcontinental conditions and it will be similar conditions at the World Cup in India - so rule them out at your own peril,” the former cricketer added.

Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 142 runs in second ODI to clinch three-match series

Speaking of the second ODI, Afghanistan posted a mammoth 331 runs after batting first, with Gurbaz and Zadran scoring 145 and 100 runs, respectively. Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mehidy Hasan each took two wickets for Bangladesh, while Ebadot Hossain took one.

Afghanistan bowlers were in command, as they bundled out the hosts for 189 runs in the 44th over to secure a 142-run win. Wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored for Bangladesh, scoring 69 off 85 deliveries. Meanwhile, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed three-wicket hauls, while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi picked up two and one wickets, respectively.