Tigers opt to bat first against Afghanistan, make three changes

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat first in their ‘do or die’ Asia Cup clash against Afghanistan today at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The Tigers responded to their five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the opening game with three changes. A defeat against Afghanistan however would show them the exit door.

Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who got a second-ball duck in his debut match, allroudner Mahedi Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman were replaced by Shamim Patwari, Afif Hossain and Hasan Mahmud for Bangladesh’s three changes.

It means Bangladesh have one genuine opener in the squad now in Naim Sheikh.

Even a victory won’t guarantee Bangladesh a place in the Super Four but a victory is imperative to stay alive.

“It looks a good wicket and keeping the weather in mind, it is very hot. We have three changes,” Shakib said after the toss. “We didn’t execute with the bat and that was our downfall, but today is a new day and a good wicket, hopefully we put up a good score on the board.”

Lahore generally produces big scoring game and hence batting first is always a good option. Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, playing their first game in the tournament, said they also wanted to bat first.

“We would have batted first as well. Quite excited, we have a lot of crowd and supporters here. The preparation was quite good, we had a series against Pakistan and we have been here for the last one week. We have two seam all rounders, one seamer, three spinners and rest of them are batters,” Shahidi said.

Line Ups:

Bangladesh: Naim Sheikh, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman. (BSS)