Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in the only Test of an all-format series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium tomorrow onwards. Considering the nature of the pitch in Dhaka, a close match is definitely on the cards.
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Captain Shakib Al Hasan will not be playing this match to result in a big blow for the home side. He is the highest wicket-taker at this very ground. Therefore, the spin of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam will be very crucial here as they are the other two names in top-3 bowlers at this. On the other hand, veteran batters Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim will be the pillars in this department.
Due to Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan’s absence, spinner Zahir Khan will carry the responsibility of taking key wickets. Izharullaq Naveed is one such bowler who can be great here with his spin variations. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and vice-captain Rahmat Shah are going to be the key for Afghanistan if they want to post a good total.
Shere Bangla National Stadium Dhaka Pitch Report
In the general run of things, Shere Bangla Stadium pitch has been one of the most spin-friendly pitches in the world. Hence, a typical sub-continent track has mostly assisted spinners. While batters have also had a fair share of success here, fast bowlers are seldom able to generate any impact.
Having said that, a grassy wicket has been arranged for this particular Test. While Bangladesh captain Litton Das reckoned that the home side wants to challenge itself by making green pitches, Shahidi expressed confidence with respect to an unusual pitch primarily because of the quality of their pace attack.
“I think we saw the pitch today and they made it green and that’s fine for us because we have good seamers,” Shahidi told reporters in Mirpur.
The average first-innings score in Dhaka Tests is 331 runs, whereas the average fourth-innings score has been 175 runs. Generally, the matches do get decided at the toss as batting becomes way too tough on the last days. The last Test here was played between Bangladesh and Ireland a couple of months ago, where the hosts won by 7 wickets.
