Big picture: Bangladesh, Afghanistan look to move on from pitfalls, drama
Afghanistan have been hot on Bangladesh's heels for the better part of the last decade. This year alone, they are locked at 2-2 after Afghanistan won the bilateral ODI series in Chattogram 2-1, but later Bangladesh beat them by a
handsome margin in the Asia Cup. The two sets of players respect each other. There's bonhomie. But the gloves will be off in the World Cup opener for the two sides in Dharamsala on Saturday.
Bangladesh are coming off a 2-0 series defeat against New Zealand at home, having also won just two games in the Asia Cup, where they couldn't make the final. Off the field, there has been high drama after
Shakib Al Hasan blasted Tamim Iqbal on the day Bangladesh left for India for the World Cup.
There is much running on Tanzid, the left-hand opener, because Bangladesh have opted for just two regular openers in him and Litton Das. Although Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh's all-weather batter this year, could open against Afghanistan, like he did briefly in the Asia Cup. Mehidy has shown great form with both bat and ball this year, and so has the pace attack, led by Taskin Ahmed. They have shown that Bangladesh no longer need to rely on their spinners in the subcontinent no matter what format.
Bangladesh would also want to stop relying too heavily on the likes of Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim, who are playing their fifth World Cup, and Mahmudullah, who is playing his fourth tournament. Their future depends on it.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, have their own demons to deal with. Their biggest worry could be the
lack of ODIs over the last four years. They are way below the average among the nations participating in the World Cup. As they often do in big tournaments, Afghanistan have brought back experienced players among their squad and traveling reserves.
A lot will depend on how their spin trio Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman performs. Their batting also needs to step up in the big tournament. The fact that Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have been in good form this year and Rahmat Shah, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Nabi have also shown decent touch bodes well for them.
Afghanistan, however, have to shed their tag of big tournament underperformers. They
didn't win any games in the 2019 World Cup, while in the recent Asia Cup, they
choked against Sri Lanka in the most miserable way. They would want to avoid these pitfalls on the biggest stage.
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