Afghanistan eye historic series win in Bangladesh

After triumphs against more esteemed and reputable opponents, Bangladesh have found themselves in a position from where there lofty home record in recent times can come tumbling down.

In the two One-Day Internationals against Afghanistan so far, Bangladesh have been pressed hard. The bowlers bailed them out in the first game, but Mohammad Nabi and Asghar Stanikzai came up with a sensible stand to shut the door on the hosts to seal the second ODI, reports Cricbuzz.

This is Afghanistan’s first bilateral series in Bangladesh and that gives them a golden opportunity to claim a historic win. Afghanistan were invited by the Bangladesh Cricket Board to give the players a chance to get into the groove ahead of the all-important England series. If you have been following the series, one thing has been made clear by the visitors - they are not there to just make up the numbers.

Afghanistan’s rise in the recent years is well documented. After beating Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe and in the United Arab Emirates, this will be another feather in their cap if they manage to seize crucial moments.

Afghanistan in both ODIs have struggled after getting close to the target. While Shakib al Hasan managed to choke them in the first game, they wobbled in the second game after being well placed. The likes of Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi need to take more responsibility to ease the pressure on both Nabi and Stanikzai.

Bangladesh batsmen, though they have the advantage of the familiarity of the conditions, have failed to capitalise on starts. While the top order has shown promising signs and one good innings will hold them in good stead, a lower-order meltdown in both games should worry the think tank.

In 2014, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in an Asia Cup game to catch the attention of the cricketing world. Now, the eyes are on them again and if they can wrap up the series, their cricketing stocks are set to skyrocket again.