Start time: 1030, 24/06/2019
Venue: Hampshire Bowl
TV: Sky Sports
Afghanistan gave India an almighty scare over the weekend but we’re still backing Bangladesh to prove a cut above in Southampton.
The Tigers have enjoyed a fine tournament so far, notably beating South Africa and the West Indies, buoyed by some stellar batting performances.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim have hogged the headlines, but we feel Tamim Iqbal is due a big innings.
After hitting 62 versus Australia last time out, he is 9/4 to top score for his team here and that is our initial Bangladesh vs Afghanistan prediction.
Bangladesh doesn’t give up hope
Bangladesh fell 48 runs short of Australia’s commanding 381 for five at Trent Bridge, but Mushfiqur made an unbeaten century and Mahmudullah weighed in with 69.
Shakib’s 41 took his tally for the tournament to 425 from five innings, so this really is a team on top form with the bat.
Captain Mashrafe Mortaza admits it will be difficult to finish in the top four, but hasn’t given up hope.
He said: “You never know. We still have three matches left. We have to play hard and then let’s see.”
On the bowling front, Mustafizur Rahman claimed his eighth wicket when trapping Steve Smith lbw on Thursday and appeals at 11/4 to be the Tigers’ top performer in this sphere from the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan odds.
Rashid’s chances for a best bowler
After restricting India to 224 for eight, Afghanistan seemed set for a monumental upset when Mohammad Nabi added a half-century to decent contributions by Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.
However, a quickfire double strike from Jasprit Bumrah and a late Mohammed Shami hat-trick left them 11 runs short at this venue.
“At one point, I thought we might be able to win easily, but in the end, we were all emotional inside,” said Naib.
“We’re upset because we had a chance for a victory which would be a big achievement for any team.”
Star spinner Rashid Khan was hit for a World Cup-record 110 runs from nine overs as Afghanistan were previously thrashed by England.
In Southampton, though, he returned fine figures of one for 38 from 10 overs, leaving Naib to praise the 20-year-old’s resolve.
“Rashid had bowled pretty badly against England and he came back well,” added the skipper.
Let’s finish off our Bangladesh vs Afghanistan betting tips by backing Rashid to continue to redeem his reputation, with 2/1 available for him to be his side’s best bowler.
