Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Preview: Afghanistan seek first win while Bangladesh push for semis

Afghanistn will be hoping for their first win against Bangladesh.

Eager to keep the semi-final hopes alive, a desperate Bangladesh will have their work cut out when they take on a spirited Afghanistan in a do-or-die World Cup encounter here Monday.

England’s defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka on Friday breathed air into Bangladesh’s hopes of securing a semi-final berth and the Tigers will be keen on making the most of the situation starting with a win over the bottom-placed Afghanistan.

The Mashrafe Mortaza-led side, which is currently placed at sixth spot with five points, has batted pretty well so far in the tournament. After hunting down a target of 322 against West Indies in just 41.3 overs, Bangladesh fought admirably in 382-run chase against Australia, finishing with an impressive 333/8.

The promotion of Shakib Al Hasan up the order has been one of the highlights of this World Cup. The all-rounder is just 22 runs behind Australia’s David Warner who is the tournament top scorer.

The bowling, however, has been their undoing, as Bangladesh have conceded scores in excess of 320 in each of their last three completed games and the bowlers will have to step up to make life easier for their batsmen.

On the other hand, Afghanistan who are still in search of their maiden win in the tournament, will be drawing a lot of positive from their previous game against India.

The Afghans fell agonisingly short of India’s target, losing by 11 runs on Saturday. But the team will take a lot of confidence from the fact that they restricted the famed Indian batting unit to 224 for 8.

Given their experience of the conditions here, captain Gulbadin Naib will expect his spinners to weave their magic once again against an in-form Bangladesh batting line-up on Monday.

With the weather expected to be warm, the dryness of the pitch may bring the spinners into play, much like it did for the match against Afghanistan and India.

The Afghan batsmen though, will have to focus on staying at the crease for longer periods to get the desired result. Against England, they played out 50 overs for the first time in the tournament. WATCH OUT FOR - Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan will be hoping to turn his form around aganist Bangladesh.

Rashid has had a difficult time so far in this World Cup, far below the standard we have become accustomed to. With spin friendly wickets expected, and the confidence that he would have gained by a good performance against India on Saturday, he will be primed to put in a match winning performance for Afghanistan. PREDICTION

The heart wants Afghanistan to win, but the head says Bangladesh will get the job done here. Afghanistan, after nearly knocking off India, have proven they aren't that far off some of the better sides on their day. The desire to at least bank a win in this tournament will be motivation enough. For Bangladesh, it's the hopes of making the top four. Bangladesh will be too strong, but just. Who know's there may be an upset. Bangladesh to win by 20-40 runs / 2-3 wickets. STATISTICS HEAD TO HEAD ODI Matches: 7

Afghanistan: 3 Bangladesh: 4

HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS

Matches: 1

Afghanistan: 0 Bangladesh: 1

WORLD CUP RECORDS

Afghanistan

Matches: 11

Won: 1

Lost: 10

Best Result - Group Stage (2015)

Bangladesh

Matches: 36

Won: 13

Lost: 22

Best Result - Quarter Final (2015)

ODI Record since World Cup 2015:

Afghanistan

Matches: 68

Won: 34

Lost: 30

Bangladesh

Matches: 67

Won: 36

Lost: 27