Afghanistan, Bangladesh look for first Super Four win

Overview

Afghanistan v Bangladesh
Asia Cup 2018, Super Four, Match 4
Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sunday, 23 September, 3.30pm local time, 11.30am GMT

While Afghanistan fell just short of Pakistan in their first Super Four game, Bangladesh were comprehensively beaten by India in theirs. Both teams now need a win to stay alive in the competition and will have to put their best foot forward in this match.

When they met in Group B earlier, Rashid Khan dished out an outstanding all-round performance to help Afghanistan clinch a 91-run victory. That result, and the fact that Bangladesh have won just one game so far – a 71-run victory over Sri Lanka in the tournament opener – makes Afghanistan look a bit stronger on paper.

Like always, Asghar Afghan will rely heavily on the bowling attack, especially the spinners, to get the job done on the dry surface in Abu Dhabi. They were dealt with well by Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik the other day, but the Afghanistan skipper will expect Rashid Khan and Co to shake that off and get back to their best.

As far as Bangladesh are concerned, their batting has let them down. They capitulated for 119 while chasing 256 against Afghanistan and folded for 173 against India after choosing to bat in their Super Four opener. Mushfiqur Rahim scored a crucial century to keep them going in their first game against Sri Lanka, but the rest of the Bangladesh batting line-up is yet to step up.

Key players

**Rashid Khan (Afghanistan):**The 20-year-old has been exceptional, making vital contributions with the ball as well as the bat. With seven wickets in three games, he is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament so far. He also scored a swashbuckling half-century against Bangladesh in the group game, hitting eight fours and one six in his 32-ball 57*.

**Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh):**The right-handed middle-order batsman is the only Bangladesh batsman who has shown form. His match-winning 144 off 150 deliveries against Sri Lanka not only helped Bangladesh win the game, but, in hindsight, stay in the competition. He will be crucial in keeping Afghanistan's spin trio at bay.

Conditions

Weather conditions in Abu Dhabi are expected to be as testing as ever, with the temperature rising to 37°C at the time of the toss. The pitch will be dry and slow as usual, which will bring spinners into play.

Squads

**Afghanistan:**Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Ihsanullah Janat, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmat Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Samiullah Shinwari, Munir Ahmad Kakar (wk), Sayed Ahmad Sherzad, Sharafudin Ashraf, Yamin Ahmadzai

**Bangladesh:**Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes.