Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan decided to send Afghanistan into bat first after winning the toss in two-match T20 series opening game today at the Sylhet Internatial Cricket Stadium.
The hosts though lost the ODI series to Afghanistan, looked to return to their best with a seven-wicket win in the last match, which saved them from being whitewash.
However in T20 format, they have been in superb form as they swept World Champions England in three-match series before sealing a 2-1 win over Ireland. Five wins out of six matches since the 2022 T20 World Cup is a testament of their ability to adapt into the format in which they were always considered as a vulnerable side.
But Shakib Al Hasan, who is the captain of T20 format, believed Afghanistan will pose a different challenge.
The hosts made two changes from the last game against Ireland, which they lost by seven wickets with left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman and allrounder Mehidy Hasan coming in place of fast bowler Hasan Mahmud and legspinner Rishad Ahmed.
Afghanistan also is in winning-streak following its T20 series win over Pakistan and a first ever ODI series win against Bangladesh.
The visitors made only one change from its previous T20 game against Pakistan as Hazratullah Zazai back into the action, replacing Sediqullah Atal.
Line Ups:
Bangladesh: Liton Das, Rony Talukdar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan(captain), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurba, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(captain), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Azmatullah Omarzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
