Bangladesh v Afghanistan: betting preview, TV channel, team news & tips

TV: Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 10.30am Monday

Hampshire Bowl

Afghanistan were just a couple of big hits away from causing a 12-1 World Cup upset against India on Saturday but they may not be able to follow up that spirited performance against an impressive Bangladesh side.

The Afghans’ 11-run defeat to India was their sixth loss in six games but Bangladesh still harbour faint hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

The Tigers played superbly in wins over South Africa and the West Indies and produced some fine individual displays in losses to New Zealand, England and Australia.

The Afghans are 7-2 to earn a first win at the tournament but the 1-4 Tigers should show their ruthless side.

Best bets
It’s a quick turnaround for Afghanistan, who return to the Hampshire Bowl just two days after their near-miss against India, but they can expect little mercy from Bangladesh.

The Tigers lead 4-3 on the head-to-head record and the teams had one victory apiece in their Asia Cup meetings last year but Bangladesh have played some accomplished cricket recently.

They won the Tri-Series against Ireland and the West Indies before posting 330-6 in their opening World Cup win over South Africa and chasing down 322 to beat the West Indies with more than eight overs to spare.

Their bowlers have conceded 380-plus totals against England and Australia and there are plenty of fitness concerns in the camp but there are in-form players throughout the Tigers’ 11.

Opening batsman Soumya Sarkar looked in great nick in the Tri-Series in Ireland, scoring 73, 54 and 66 in three innings against the Windies, and he can exceed bet365’s performance line of 36.5.

The left-hander hasn’t converted some useful starts into big scores on this tour but he made 25 in a warm-up game against India, 42 – featuring nine fours – against South Africa, 25 against New Zealand and 29 against the West Indies.

Soumya is capable of passing the performance mark with the bat but he also gave his captain Mashrafe Mortaza a reminder of his bowling ability with 3-58 from eight overs against Australia.

David Warner, Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja are a decent trio of victims for a part-time bowler and he should get more opportunities in a depleted bowling attack.

A dependable pair of hands in the outfield, Soumya has taken five catches in five games at this tournament – worth ten points each on bet365’s market – and he could be in the thick of the action.

One top-runscorer price that cannot be ignored is the 12-1 about experienced Bangladesh right-hander Mahmudullah.

The fine form of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim is obviously factored into the price but Mahmudullah has batted nicely when required, scoring 46 not out off 33 balls against the Proteas and 69 from 50 against Australia last time out.

He has plenty of World Cup pedigree, scoring back-to-back centuries against England and New Zealand, at the 2015 tournament and has to be worth a dabble at double-figure odds.

Recommendations
S Sarkar over 36.5 performance points
3pts 5-6 bet365
Mahmudullah top Bangladesh runscorer
1pt 12-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

Team news
Bangladesh
Spinner Mehidy Hasan is a doubt after being hit on the head during practice. Mohammad Saifuddin and Mosaddek Hossain missed the loss to Australia and will also be assessed.

Afghanistan
The Afghans could name the same 11 who ran India so close on Saturday.

Venue
The Hampshire Bowl traditionally produces belting batting wickets but bowlers have impressed at the venue during this tournament with India’s Jasprit Bumrah starring against South Africa and Afghanistan.

The three main Afghan spinners, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, had combined figures of 4-97 from 29 overs against India while England’s pacers rolled over the Windies for 212.

Weather
Cloudy but dry for most of the day although thunderstorms are forecast for the evening, 20C.

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