ICC World Cup 2019: Match 31, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

On head to head count, the Tigers have a 4-3 lead over the Afghans.

Published - 23 Jun 2019, 09:55 IST | Updated - 23 Jun 2019, 09:55 IST

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Having lost all their six matches of the 2019 World Cup, Afghanistan is more or less out of the tournament. In their last three games, Gulbadin Naib and Co have nothing, but pride to play for. However, the last game against India at the Rose Bowl in Southampton turned out to be a nail-biting affair. The Afghans lost the game by a mere 11 runs and garnered a lot of praises from the world.

At the same venue, they are next scheduled to play Bangladesh, who is still in with a chance of qualifying for the semis. Placed sixth on the table, Mashrafe Mortaza’s men can’t afford to be complacent. Even as their batting has been exceptional, it’s their bowlers, who have let the team down in a few games. In World Cup cricket, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have met once before in 2015.

Weather Report

The weather for tomorrow’s game doesn’t look a whole lot promising. There will be chances of rain throughout the day. A couple of rain interruptions can be expected, if not an abandoned match. 70 per cent cloud cover will be there throughout. The temperature will be around 20 degrees Celsius. The humidity will be on the high side with the numbers in the 70s and 80s.

Pitch Report

The pitch in Southampton in the last game was sluggish and the spinners had their say. The tweakers may again get some help, provided the same track is used. But under gloomy weather and with rain around, the spinners may not get as much assistance. In all the games at this venue, the strip got better in the second half. Therefore, teams may opt to field first after winning the toss.

Playing combinations

Bangladesh

The Tigers are likely to bring back Mosaddek Hossain, who missed the last match due to an injury. Sabbir Rahman got a golden duck versus the Aussies and he may have to sit out. There’s no update on Mohammad Saifuddin’s back spasm. If he attains the desired level of fitness, then Rubel Hossain, who conceded runs at an economy of 9.22 in the previous game, may be benched.

Tamim Iqbal got a couple of decent knocks under his belt and that should keep him in good stead. Soumya Sarkar needs to be a bit more consistent. All of Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim are averaging above 50 with the bat and they’ll need to be on top of their game. Mashrafe’s form with the ball may not be that great, but he still remains an inspirational figure.

Probable XI

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman/Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Rubel Hossain/Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman

Afghanistan

The Afghans may wish to play with the same eleven they fielded versus India. In the batting department, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi have chipped in with some useful runs. Gulbadin Naib promoting himself to open hasn’t backfired. The Afghan skipper is also their leading wicket-taker with seven scalps. Hazratullah Zazai needs to learn the art of putting a price tag on his wicket.

Mohammad Nabi has shown the damage he can inflict, keeping a calm head. Najibullah Zadran has also put forth his prowess lower down the order. Rashid Khan came back to form versus India after getting hammered by Eoin Morgan’s England. He’ll share the spin department along with Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Shah. Fast bowler Dawlat Zadran and Aftab Alam will also have their roles to play.

Probable XI

Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib (C), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman