A group of Bangladesh team left Dhaka today for the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) to play a three-match ODI series against
Afghanistan.
The group included the players like Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali Anik, Towhid
Hriody, Rishad Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and others who basically were not
the part of the recently concluded Test series against South Africa (SA).
The players who were the part of the Test series will leave country tomorrow
(Sunday).
The Afghanistan series, which will be played on Afghan's adopted venue in the
UAE, is seen as the preparation platform for the next year's ICC Champions
Trophy.
This will be Bangladesh's first ODI series since March when they played
against Sri Lanka at home.
After that Bangladesh only played T20 and Tests. While they had a horrible
T20 campaign, things looked good when they won a historical Test series
against Pakistan. But they were brought down to the earth again after their
meek surrender to India and South Africa.
While Afghanistan of late had become a strong contender for the Tigers,
Bangladesh still have the edge, winning 10 and losing six in 16 meetings
between two teams in ODI format.
The three ODIs against Afghanistan will be on November 6, 9 and 11. All the
matches will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
After this series, Bangladesh will visit West Indies for a full bilateral
series that includes all three formats of cricket.
Squad:
Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto
(Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Touhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik,
Mehidy Hassan Miraz (Vice Captain), Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin
Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana.
