The match 3 of ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between Bangladesh (BAN) and Afghanistan (AFG) at Dharamshala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday, 7 October promises to be an exciting contest. Both the teams have a star-studded squad and are major contenders to win the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. They will be keen to kick off the tournament on a winning note.
Both the teams, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have a fierce rivalry in the format. They have played 15 ODI matches, with Bangladesh winning 9 games and Afghanistan winning 6 games so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 3 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
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Here are three player battles to watch out for during BAN vs AFG match:
1) Najmul Hossain Shanto vs Mujeeb Ur Rahman
The upcoming clash between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mujeeb Ur Rahman is set to ignite sparks, primarily because Mujeeb Ur Rahman has enjoyed an upper hand against the Bangladeshi batsman in ODIs, dismissing him twice. On the flip side, Najmul Hossain Shanto has found it challenging to make an impact, accumulating only 20 runs from the 43 balls bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman in ODIs.
2) Mushfiqur Rahim vs Rashid Khan
The rivalry brewing between Mushfiqur Rahim and Rashid Khan has delivered an intriguing battle, with both the batsman and the spinner enjoying phases of supremacy. The Afghan spin maestro has claimed Mushfiqur Rahim’s wicket four times in ODIs. However, the Bangladeshi batter has also displayed resilience, amassing 114 runs from the 124 deliveries he has faced from Rashid Khan.
3) Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Shakib Al Hasan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been on a scoring spree this year, consistently piling on the runs for Afghanistan. Nevertheless, he faces a formidable adversary in the form of Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib Al Hasan, who has sent him packing three times in ODIs. Yet, Gurbaz has given Shakib a taste of his own medicine, tallying 61 runs from 71 deliveries, showcasing his mettle in the face of a seasoned opponent.