Bangladesh created history earlier this year when they defeated Australia in the first Test in Darwin. They were annihilated in the 2nd Test, but that first Test shows their ability, although consistency has always been an issue for The Tigers.
However, against Afghanistan, on a pitch that will likely be much slower, we fancy the Bangladesh bowlers to take control.
- Afghanistan’s Abdul Malik has scored 3 100s in his last 7 knocks.
- Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi has scores of 44, 44, 33 & 47 in his last 5 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Mohammad Saleem took 6/140 vs India in his last Test.
- Bangladesh’s Tanzid Hasan scored 101 in the 1st Test vs Australia.
- Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto has scores of 37, 84 & 31 in his last 5 innings.
- Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud has taken 23 wickets in his last 5 innings.
Level after Two
These two have met twice before in Test cricket with Afghanistan winning the first encounter before Bangladesh won the last encounter in 2023.
Afghanistan Lack of Test Cricket
Afghanistan have played just three Tests in the last two years so they are likely to be rusty. They suffered a heavy defeat to India in their most recent Test and come into this Test with several changes to their squad which puts added responsibility on skipper Rahmat Shah.
Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik need to provide a solid start against a Bangladesh pace attack that has impressed over the last 12 months. Rahmat remains Afghanistan’s key batter and will look to build partnerships with Hashmatullah Shahidi and Ikram Alikhail.
The bowling attack contains several fresh faces. Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi and Yamin Ahmadzai will be eager to make early breakthroughs, while Mohammad Saleem Safi and Qais Ahmad will be expected to exploit the conditions and pressure Bangladesh’s batting.
Bangladesh Superb against Australia
Bangladesh come into this one-off Test with growing confidence after an impressive tour of Australia that saw them pull off a brilliant series draw after their historic nine-wicket win in the 1st Test. Najmul Hossain Shanto will expect his side to build on that performance with another controlled batting display.
Shadman Islam and Tanzid Hasan Tamim will look to do damage on the inexperienced Afghanistan side with the new ball, while Mominul Haque remains the key middle-order batter after scoring 592 runs in the last 12 months. Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz provide valuable depth.
The conditions should suit Bangladesh’s attack. Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed will look for early wickets while Taijul Islam is the standout recent bowler with 35 wickets in the last 12 months. Shoriful Islam and Mehidy add further variety.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Abu Dhabi should be hot and dry with temperatures reaching 37°C. The surface generally favours batting but the spinners should draw sharp turn off the pitch. With a 360 first-innings average score at the venue both teams should look to target totals above 400.
Afghanistan (possible XI): Rahmat Shah (c), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhail, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Afsar Zazai, Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Yamin Ahmadzai.
Bangladesh (possible XI): Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.