Afghanistan eye historic series win in Bangladesh

After triumphs against more esteemed and reputable opponents, Bangladesh have found themselves in a position from where there lofty home record in recent times can come tumbling down. In the two One-Day Internationals against Afghanistan so far, Bangladesh have been pressed hard. The bowlers bailed them out in the first game, but Mohammad Nabi and Asghar Stanikzai came up with a sensible stand to shut the door on the hosts to seal the second ODI.

This is Afghanistan's first bilateral series in Bangladesh and that gives them a golden opportunity to claim a historic win. Afghanistan were invited by the Bangladesh Cricket Board to give the players a chance to get into the groove ahead of the all-important England series. If you have been following the series, one thing has been made clear by the visitors - they are not there to just make up the numbers.

Afghanistan's rise in the recent years is well documented. After beating Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe and in the United Arab Emirates, this will be another feather in their cap if they manage to seize crucial moments.

Afghanistan in both ODIs have struggled after getting close to the target. While Shakib al Hasan managed to choke them in the first game, they wobbled in the second game after being well placed. The likes of Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi need to take more responsibility to ease the pressure on both Nabi and Stanikzai.

Bangladesh batsmen, though they have the advantage of the familiarity of the conditions, have failed to capitalise on starts. While the top order has shown promising signs and one good innings will hold them in good stead, a lower-order meltdown in both games should worry the think tank.

In 2014, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in an Asia Cup game to catch the attention of the cricketing world. Now, the eyes are on them again and if they can wrap up the series, their cricketing stocks are set to skyrocket again.

What: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI, October 1, 14: 30 local time.

Where: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

What to expect: Clear, sunny day expected with the pitch likely to play a lot slower. Needless to say, spinners are going to enjoy the conditions and the batsmen will have to work hard for their runs.

Team news:

Bangladesh: The think-tank can bring back Imrul Kayes considering he looked promising in the first game. Rubel Hossain has already been dropped from the squad, making way for Mosharraf Hossain.

Afghanistan: After their nervy win in the second game, the visitors are likely to stick with the winning combination.

What they said:

"We definitely have the confidence and belief to win the series. I don't think that one defeat will end all the work that we have done and all our achievements so far. We were all obviously disappointed but that doesn't mean that we have forgotten all the good work that we have done. It was a bad day. If we think about that when we get on the field it will be difficult for us, so we are trying to get on the field with a free mentality." - Mashrafe Mortaza.

"In the last one year, Afghanistan cricket has been improving. Before him [Rajput], Inzamam-ul-Haq did very well as our coach. He is asking us to play positive cricket against each and every team. He tells us to take everything positively. He is also working on our batting. He is teaching us how to play 50 overs, play till the end and concentrate on singles." - Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Teams (from):

Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain, Nasir Hossain, Taijul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Mosharraf Hossain, Taskin Ahmed.

Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Fareed Ahmad, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ihsanullah Karim Janat, Mirwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Naveen-ul-Haq, Nawroz Mangal, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shenwari, Shabir Noori.