Afghanistan v Bangladesh World Cup Tips: Afghans can start with a Bang

• Afghanistan clear value

• Ibrahim not to be missed at 7/24.50

• Pitch could be tricky

Afghanistan v Bangladesh
Saturday 7 October, 06:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Afghanistan v Bangladesh World Cup team news

Afghanistan finished bottom in the 2019 edition without a win. This is a great chance to get off to a flier. Ibrahim Zadran is key with the bat, he carries an uninspiring line-up. But they match up well against all teams with a terrific bowling unit. They would love a turning track.

Possible XI: Gurbaz, Ibrahim, Rahmat, Hashmatullah, Najibullah, Nabi, Omarzai, Rashid, Mujeeb, Farooqi, Naveen

Bangladesh have left Tamim Iqbal at home, probably a good thing because there is no love lost between him and skip Shakib-al-Hasan. And with Tanzid Hasan showing good form in the warm-ups in the opening berth they have a selection headache with their batting order which they'll enjoy.

Possible XI: Tanzid, Das, Shanto, Shakib, Mushfiqur, Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum, Taskin, Shoriful, Mustafizur/Hasan Mahmud

Afghanistan v Bangladesh World Cup pitch report

There have been four ODI at Dharamsala. The last one in 2017 when India were rolled for 112 against Sri Lanka saw seam and swing in abundance. English conditions are possible. It's a watching brief for game one but it is hard to imagine big scores. We'd like to short a par line for Bangladesh at the 270s.

Afghanistan v Bangladesh World Cup match odds

Bangladesh are 1.784/5 favourites with Afghanistan 2.285/4. The queue to back the latter starts here.

There's very little to choose between the sides, and arguably the Afghan may have the edge because they boast the outstanding spinner on either team in Rashid Khan.

The sides have met four times this year with two wins apiece. This screams choice affair so Afghanistan are clear value.

Afghanistan v Bangladesh World Cup player bets

Ibrahim is boosted to 7/24.50 for top Afghanistan bat. it's a great price from Sportsbook. Ibrahim wins 33% of the time in the last two years. Sportsbook say he has a 22% chance. It's worthy of a follow.