Bangladesh have won the toss and they have opted to bat first

Trailing 1-0 in the series after a loss in the first ODI, Bangladesh is under pressure to win today to keep their series hopes alive. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bat first in this crucial second ODI, scheduled at 4:00 PM at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Jaker Ali Anik is making his ODI debut, stepping in as the wicketkeeper-batsman in place of the injured Mushfiqur Rahim. Additionally, Nasum Ahmed replaces leg-spinner Rishad Hossain in the lineup.

After making his debut in T20s and Tests, Jaker Ali now has the opportunity to play in ODIs, fulfilling his dream of representing Bangladesh across all formats. With this change, Bangladesh has made two alterations to their lineup, while Afghanistan, with an unchanged team, aims to seal the series. A win for Afghanistan would clinch the ODI series with one game remaining.

If Bangladesh loses this match, they will suffer their second consecutive ODI series defeat against Afghanistan, following a 2-1 loss on home turf in 2023. Today’s match will reveal whether Afghanistan can secure the series, or if Bangladesh can bounce back and extend the competition.

Bangladesh Playing XI: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudullah Riyad, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain), Jaker Ali Anik (Wicketkeeper), Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.

Afghanistan Playing XI: Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.