DHAKA, Nov 5, 2024 (BSS) - After a disastrous performance in the Test format, Bangladesh sought a respite through ODI cricket as they take on Afghanistan in the first game of the three-match series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium tomorrow (Wednesday). The match starts at 4 PM (Bangladesh Time).

The ODI cricket is a favourable format for Bangladesh but opposition Afghanistan are always a serious contender for them.

Even though Bangladesh won 10 and lost six out of 16 meetings against Afghanistan in this format, there is no way to be relaxed. 

The Tigers, as it was adorably called, had a perfect record against Afghanistan in bilateral ODI series until July last year, when they lost to the Afghans 2-1 in Chattogram.

The series defeat in fact initiated a lean period for Bangladesh in what is widely accepted as their strongest format.

The war-torn Afghanistan of late beat South Africa by 2-1 Ireland 2-0 in three-match series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is their adopted venue.
 
They this year lost one series to Sri Lanka on Lankan soil.
Bangladesh on the other hand, played just one ODI series this year. In March at home den, they played a three-match series against Sri Lanka and lost it by 2-1.

The stat suggested it well that who would have the edge going into the series. But Bangladesh middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy believes the Tigers would be boosted psychologically by the format. 

"This is the format we play really well. Hopefully we can make a good start to the series," Hridoy said, adding that a good start would be prelude to series victory.

"We in fact need to make a good start. If we can play to our full potential, I think we can win the series," she added.

Whatever it is, Bangladesh would have to neutralize the threat of Fazalhaq Farooqi who had the dangerous record against left-hand batters. As Bangladesh top-order is packed with left-hand batters, it is to see how they deal with Farooqi.

Moreover, Bangladesh's top-order collapse has been choric, regardless of the format and so another collapse tomorrow couldn't be written off.

Another young batter Zakir Hossain, who was recalled to revive his ODI career feels it is imperative to have a good start from the top order batters if they want to do well against Afghanistan. 

"We want to play as a team. I know a good start from the top order batters is badly needed if we want to do well against Afghanistan," Zakir said.

After spending a great time in Pakistan where they swept the two-match series in emphatic fashion, the performance of the Tigers has taken a huge nosedive as they made a meek surrender to India and South Africa thereafter by putting up a horrible performance.

The top order batters irresponsible batting is believed to lead the side's downfall in those four Test matches.

But the ODI format gives Bangladesh a lot of confidence to get back into the groove, Zakir said.

"It is true that we are not getting off to a good start," Zakir said. "In Test format, our openers couldn't do well and that's the reason for our downfall. But another series is coming up and it's ODI, a format which we always play well. Hopefully things will go as per our expectation," he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh would have to select the best XI from 13 players since Nasum Ahmed and Nahid are yet to join the side due to visa complicacy. 

Squad: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Touhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hassan Miraz (Vice Captain), Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.