Cricket news, Asia Cup 2022 Match Preview: Bangladesh VS Afghanistan - Catch LIVE Action

Afghanistan is coming off a lopsided win against Sri Lanka in the tournament opener. They would like to keep their winning streak going.

Meanwhile, Shakib Al Hasan returns to lead Bangladesh in the shortest format.

Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the Saturday Asia Cup opener at the Dubai International Stadium. 

Afghanistan reached the target of 106 with 59 balls to spare. At the top of the order, Hazratullah Zazai hit an undefeated 37, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a quickfire 38. Earlier, Afghanistan knocked out Sri Lanka for 105, with Farooqi taking three wickets.

After a convincing victory against Sri Lanka in their previous match, Afghanistan will undoubtedly enter this game with a lot of confidence and is predicted to win today's game.

Head to Head 

Afghanistan leads Bangladesh 5-3 in Twenty20 Internationals. Afghanistan leads Bangladesh 2-1 in one-day internationals in the Asia Cup.

Bangladesh won their only Asia Cup match against Afghanistan in 2018. Afghanistan leads Bangladesh 5-3 in T20Is overall.

Players to watch

Fazalhaq Farooqi

In the match against Sri Lanka, Fazalhaq Farooqi was one of Afghanistan's heroes. Farooqi's opening burst dismantled the top order entirely, and he finished with 3 for 11. 

Farooqi's rapid, accurate, and productive play in the ODI and T20I series in Chattogram and Dhaka earlier this year is the kind of stint Bangladesh is accustomed to.

After the Sri Lankan demolition, his confidence must be skyrocketing.

Shakib Al Hasan

Against Afghanistan or anyone else, for that matter, Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh's most effective option. Shakib has a lot on his plate as the T20I captain after nearly three years, but he is known for consistently bringing out the best in himself under pressure. 

His four overs will provide an attacking option for Bangladesh, while his unrestricted stroke play will assist the top order, which has been struggling.

TV Broadcast and Match Timings

The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network (7:30 p.m. IST).

Predicted Playing XI:

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mohammad Naim, Sabbir Rahman, Anamul Haque (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain

Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi (captain), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad