The first of the three-match ODI series begins on Wednesday in Sharjah, UAE. But left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and pacer Nahid Rana could not join the team due to not getting a visa. The team management has to plan without both of them in the first match. Shakib Al Hasan is not in the team. Neither is Nasum Ahmed. In this situation Bangladesh team has to play without left arm spinner. However, captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto said that he has confidence in leg spinner Rishad Hossain even though there is no left-arm spinner.
Nazmul Hossain, captain of the Bangladesh team, is not worried about the calm left-arm spin option. Although Nasum is not available in the first ODI, he has confidence in leg spinner Rishad Hossain. In this regard, Shanto said in the pre-match press conference in Sharjah, 'I still believe that Nasum and Rana will come. The cricket board is looking at it well. While there is still time, hopefully it will come. But it would have been better to come a little earlier. It's out of control.'
Rishad's performance in twenty over cricket is good. He did not play many matches in the ODI version. He took 1 wicket at 5.48 economy in 3 ODIs. However, the captain has confidence in him, 'Even if we don't have a left-arm spinner, we have Rishad. Rishad's bowling in T20, he can be a good option.'
Two cricketers could not reach due to visa complications. Shakib Al Hasan is not playing in the series. Liton Das is also not in the team due to illness. Do all the dangers come together? In response to a question from a journalist present at the press conference, Shanto said, 'Difficult. I think if everything was smooth, it would definitely be great for a team. As I said, they are out of control. As a cricketer, more than these things, it's how we use the abilities that we have that matters. If these external issues go smoothly from the upcoming series, it will be better for our team.'
Afghanistan pacer Fazal Haque Farooqui is the name of fear for Bangladeshi batters. Still optimistic about the ODI series, Shanto said, 'Of course (Farooqi) is a great bowler. But I think we played a lot against this team. That idea is definitely there. Those who will bat in the top order will have to take the responsibility of how to handle the new ball.'
After 8 months, Bangladesh is facing Afghanistan in the first ODI of the series. As Liton was not there, one of the openings was left empty. In that case Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan these two batsmen are more likely to open. Zakir played only 1 ODI match. That too in September 2023. Tanjid Tamim played a career-best 84 runs in the ODI against Sri Lanka, but most of the time he is not able to make the innings big. Either Shant or Soumya Sarkar has more chances of batting at number three. Whatever the batting order, Bangladesh now have to worry more about the top order. Shanta said in this context, 'Top order in any edition… the start is very important. But I don't want anyone who bats in the top-order to bat with too much pressure. Those who are batting at the top, I want them to enjoy the game. Let him play for the team according to his ability. I believe we will do well in this edition. I have done well in the past. Of course, Afghanistan is a good team in this condition. But what I think is that the team we have, if we can play according to our strengths, it is definitely possible to play well against them.
