Lower ranked Bangladesh and Afghanistan on paper may appear as toddlers among the big fish in the ensuing Champions Trophy. But both teams have quality and strength to surprise the best of the best in white ball cricket. 

Bangladesh is in the group with Pakistan, India and New Zealand. Afghanistan plays in the group of Australia, England and South Africa. They are not fancied or favorites. But they are also not mere push overs. Bangladesh in the past beat Pakistan, India and New Zealand in bilateral and global tournament. Afghanistan has some world class performers in white ball cricket. None will be surprised if Bangladesh and Afghanistan create some upset in the tournament. They may cause early exit of tournament favorites if they are not taken seriously.

Squads: 
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana

Afghanistan:  Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sadiquallh Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami

Bangladesh had the opportunity for including 4 of their 5 icon cricketers of the recent past. But that did not happen as Tamim Iqbal star opening batsman still active in the domestic circuit has announced retirement from international cricket. Shakib Al Hasan, the leading all-rounder has issues other than cricket to represent Bangladesh. Moreover, his bowling action has been reported. Bangladesh selectors did not consider him for batting only. Otherwise apart from Litton Kumar Das the other members have picked themselves. Litton went through a prolonged bad patch in white ball cricket. But off late in BPL 2025 he has played some good innings making him a strong contender for inclusion in the final squad. 

The team is well balanced with experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim. Mahmudullah Riad and brilliant youngsters like Nahid Rana, Tanzid Tamim, Jaker Ali Onik and Rishad Hossain. Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Nazmul Shanto and Mehedy Miraj are also expected to perform. The pace attack is formidable. Taskin is in great form. Mustahfiz may cause issues for the opponents with his variation of pace and cutters. Nahid and Tanjim Shakib have Raw Pace. Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mehedi Miraj will look after the spin department. No doubt the team will miss Shakib. The main challenge would be top order batting performing regularly. Bangladesh will play the first match against tournament favorite India in Dubai. The other matches are against Pakistan and New Zealand. On their day Bangladesh can surprise any of the three. The Bangladeshi cricket admirers are optimistic that Bangladesh will quality for the business round from the group.

Afghanistan may turn as dark horse from the group of Australia, England and South Africa. Although still treated as minnows in world cricket Afghanistan abounding with excellent talents has time and again demonstrated their capability of winning matches in white ball cricket. Ramanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are two flamboyant opening batsmen. On their day they can tear apart any bowling attack. They have included young talented Sadiqullah Atal as back up opener. In the recent past, Rahmat Shah and Hasmatullah Shahidi have proved as quality middle order batsman. They also have ever reliable Mohammad Nabi. 

However, Afghans do not have depth and late order blasters to bat opponents out of the match. Pace attack is reasonable with Fazal Haq Faruqi, Farid Ahmed Malik. But their real strength is world class spin attack. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmed and AH Ghazanfar may tease and torment opponents specially South Africa and England on Pakistani wickets. We can guarantee that Afghans will cause one or two surprises in the tournament.

Whatever the case may be Bangladesh and Afghanistan are definitely not the toddlers among the big fishes. 

BDST: 1355 HRS, JAN 23, 2025
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