ICC World Cup 2019: Match 31, BAN vs AFG – Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI

Bangladesh may be stuck in the middle of the points table due to a stop-start sort of a run so far. However, they’ve been one of the most entertaining teams in this World Cup so far. After the dominant run-chase against West Indies where they hunted down 322 with 8.3 overs to spare, the confidence was high when they faced Australia. But the defending champions got the better of the high-flying Bangla side by putting up a mammoth score on the board.

They scored 381 and the target seemed out of reach. However, Bangladesh gave a good account of themselves while chasing. They lost by 48 runs as the batsmen put up a valiant show. The Tigers are now placed sixth on the points table with five points. They have three games left and have to win all three in order to stand a chance to qualify for the semi-finals. They are up against Afghanistan who have lost all their six games so far.

Here is Bangladesh’s predicted playing XI for their game against Afghanistan:

Openers (Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar)

Both Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar haven’t really fired in this World Cup so far. Individually or as a pair, they haven’t lived up to expectation. In fact, both of them have been getting starts but haven’t been able to kick on.

Tamim scored a half-century against Australia but his strike-rate has been just 75.78. Meanwhile, Sarkar’s highest score is 42 in this tournament which came in their first match. However, he chipped in with the ball against Australia and picked up three wickets.

Middle-order (Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Liton Das, Mahmudullah)

Bangladesh’s middle-order has been their strength in this World Cup. Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das and Mahmudullah, all three of them average in excess of 50 in this World Cup. Rahim has done well batting at No. 4 and he even struck a very good century against Australia.

Mahmudullah had an indifferent start to the tournament but he looked in great touch in the last game against Australia where he scored a quickfire 69. Liton Das has fit in really well in the middle-order. His unbeaten 94 took Bangladesh over the line against West Indies and he continued his form against the Aussies before throwing away the start.

All-rounders (Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin)

Shakib Al Hasan has had a fabulous tournament so far. In the game against Australia, it was the first time in this tournament that he didn’t score a fifty. With 425 runs in five innings, he is the second highest run-getter at the moment. He has chipped in well with the ball as well.

Sabbir Rahman lasted a mere one delivery in the game against Australia. However, if fit, Mosaddek Hossain should be back at No. 7. He hasn’t really produced the goods but has been hitting it well and is a decent bowler. Mohammad Saifuddin should also return in the playing XI provided he is fit. He has been a reliable bowler for Bangladesh at the death and they conceded a lot of runs in the last 10 overs against Australia.

Bowlers (Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mustafizur Rahman)

Mehidy Hasan has been tidy with his off-spin. He has picked up five wickets in as many games and has been the team’s most economical bowler. He will continue to lead Bangladesh’s spin attack alongside Shakib.

Meanwhile, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza hasn’t really been in the best of forms in this tournament. He has taken just one wicket in five games and has also been on the expensive side. On the other hand, despite having an economy of 7.20, Mustafizur Rahman has picked up wickets regularly. He has eight wickets in five games and is Bangladesh’s strike bowler.