BD elect to bat against Afghanistan in Asia Cup match

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Bangladesh have decided to bat first in their Asia Cup match against Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al-Hassan won the toss and elected to bat, hoping his depleted squad would post a formidable total.

Bangladesh vice-captain Liton Das has been ruled out of the entire event. His absence may pave the way for Anamul Haque’s inclusion the playing XI.

Trounced by Sri Lanka in the previous outing, Bangladesh will have to secure a win over Afghanistan to stay in the run for the next stage of the tournament.

His guys were well-prepared for the encounter, a do-or-die match for the depleted opposition, said Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.

On the eve of the game, Shahidi said. “We have been in Lahore for the last 10 days. Having done enough practice, we are ready for the match.”

Afghanistan will heavily rely on Fazalhaq Farooqi in the absence of Naveen-ul-Haq and Fareed Ahmed Malik.

All-rounder Karim Janat is expected to return to ODI cricket after six years. Rahmat Shah could also be part of the Afghan line-up.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are scheduled to meet at the same venue on Tuesday.

AFGHANISTAN

Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Suliman Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

BANGLADESH

Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mamhud, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mohammad Naim.

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