Bangladesh, Afghanistan gear up for World Cup dress rehearsal in Chattogram
Cricket
The three-match ODI series between Bangladesh, Afghanistan will begin in Chattogram today.
CHATTOGRAM (Web Desk) - Bangladesh are ready to dominate the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after defeating them by a record margin of 546 runs in the one-off Test.
The three-match ODI series will begin in Chattogram today (Wednesday), with Afghanistan also looking for their first ODI series win in Bangladesh at the third attempt.
Last year, the two teams faced off in Bangladesh, where the hosts prevailed 2-1 despite a valiant effort from the Afghans.
Bangladesh have been such an overwhelming power in the ODI format at home that they have only lost two home series since 2015, and both of those losses were against the reigning World Champions England, who defeated them in 2016 and this year.
Even though this series is not the part of ICC ODI Super League, for Bangladesh it will be hugely significant. A 3-0 victory over the Afghans, which is an extremely tough task, would help Bangladesh move to fifth place in ICC ODI rankings for the first time in their history.
While it is important to get a ranking boost, it similarly crucial for the team management to rotate players as much as they can to find out their best combination for the upcoming World Cup.
The series in Chittagong is a dress rehearsal for the two sides' World Cup encounter in India.
Bangladesh have Asia Cup and a three-match ODI series against New Zealand apart from this Afghanistan series before the cricket's biggest extravaganza.
Afghanistan will be bolstered by the return of the talismanic Rashid Khan, who was rested for the Dhaka Test with the Asia Cup and World Cup in mind.
Fast bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai also return in a much-needed boost for Afghanistan as they seek a rebound from the shock of their Test defeat.
The second and third ODIs will also be held in Chittagong, on July 8 and 11, followed by two T20 matches in Sylhet on July 14 and 16.
