Afghanistan will be eyeing history when they take on Bangladesh in the third and final ODI of the series in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, with the opportunity to register their first-ever ODI series whitewash against Bangladesh. Riding high on momentum and form, Afghanistan currently lead the series 2-0, having comprehensively outplayed Bangladesh in both previous encounters.
Afghanistan have looked sharp and disciplined, outmuscling Bangladesh across all departments. The Afghan bowlers, led by the ever-reliable Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai, have consistently choked the Bangladeshi batting lineup, while the batting unit, anchored by the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, has provided the necessary stability.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, have struggled on all fronts. Their top order has failed to produce runs, and their bowlers have lacked penetration. Despite coming into the series on the back of a 3-0 series sweep in the preceding three-match T20I series, Bangladesh have looked listless, struggling to challenge Afghanistan. For Bangladesh, the final match is about pride and damage control. A win in the final game would help them prevent the series sweep.
Head-to-head
Matches - 21
BAN won - 11
AFG won - 10
Afghanistan probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote, Abdollah Ahmadzai
Bangladesh probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Nurul Hasan (wk), Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan/Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman