Match Thread: 1st Match, Qualifying Group A: Bangladesh v Afghanistan at Dhaka; March 16, 2014 (15:30 Local | 09:30 GMT)

[One World]

Generally in T20 you have one player who needs to play a monumental giant innings out of nowhere - team management cannot decide who that would be neither the player himself cannot say the same. For every match T20 require a hero - be it batting, bowling or fielding. But the performance needs to be headline worthy. That is the x factor.

[naim519]

Shakib, Mushfiq and Tamim are our X, Y and Z factor.

[WarWolf]

Insha Allah we will win.

[Rana Melb]

Source Cricinfo:
"When you're hosting a world tournament and you want to be in the tournament and you're afraid of getting out of it that is the sort of pressure that is on you. I personally think they [Bangladesh] are facing more pressure than us."
Afghanistan coach Kabir Khan puts a bit more pressure on Bangladesh

"I am sure if we can minimise our mistakes from here, we will be confident as a team, which we need the most on the 16th [of March]." Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal is looking to minimise the errors"

[Shehwar]

Guys how do I watch this in the UK without the very expensive sky sports package please?

[Bonglababu]

it's already a nervy atmosphere out there. hope our sissies don't muck up this time.

[mij]

Yes I hope our players don't wet their pants tomorrow. They usually do.

[Habib]

They better not choke again. Losing once to Afghanistan was embarrassing enough.

[WorldCup11]

Inshallah we will win this time. If we can play same as we did against Ireland, that will be enough for
Afghans. Ektu voy tao ache, boys ra under pressure e ki kore . Good luck to bangladesh and Obayedh bhai

[MHRAM]

In Shaa Allah we will win this match. This is arguably the most crucial match of the tournament and if we mess this up then we are in for embarassment.

I hope our boys are focused and calm. Lets just hope that the pressure of expectations don't break the nerve of our mental midgets, that will be good enough. The performance in the practice matches should give enough confidence to our players.

[Tigers_eye]

Afgans are my second favorite team. I wish the format was different. Best of luck to BD.

[Purbasha T]

This will be intense!

[Rana Melb]

This will be a clash of Titans#$$^^

[ReZ_1]

I don't know if we manage to lose this match what effect will it have on the spirit of the tournament being the host. For the sake of tournament i think we should win it.

[Rinathq]

Tamim-Shakib-Mushy-Mash...... time to prove a point! Lets go! Win it, win it in style!

[Moh899]

its the pressure that our real enemy and also its ourselves.

[BangaliMessi]

Both the teams can win. I think the team more hungry for a win would win. Temperament does not count in t20 (in lets say a test match I expect the Tigers to win 8/10 times.) What counts is courage and desire, let's see who has more.

Cheers.

[One World]

Now reading all these bull cr*p reports. BD considered a minnow when plays overseas, perhaps the fans of other countries have to read similar reports in their newspapers before a match.

[Razi]

Going to the stadium with the fear that this could be the only Bangladesh match in Dhaka in this World T20 if we don't qualify for the Super 10. I really hope we come out positive and give the Afghans a reality check and also show them the difference between the two teams. Anyways, this would be my XI for tomorrow's match:

1. Tamim
2. Bijoy/Shamsur
3. Mominul (as an all-rounder)
4. Mushy
5. Shak
6. Shabbir
7. Nasir/Riyad
8. Farhad
9. Gazi
10. Mash
11. Al-Amin

[BD_TigerZ]

Why is shamsur being neglected by management and by us.. He's the perfect pair for a slow starter like tamim. Bijoy is also clueless early and has got his best performances at #3..

[Rinathq]

Originally Posted by BD_TigerZ
Why is shamsur being neglected by management and by us.. He's the perfect pair for a slow starter like tamim. Bijoy is also clueless early and has got his best performances at #3..

Shamsur didnt really have a bright start in T20 International. Anamul certainly has better stats.

[Rinathq]

My squad for tmrw,

Tamim
Anamul
Shakib
Mushy
Nasir
Riyad
Reza
Mash
Gazi
Raj
Al Amin

AFGs are weak against spin. So spin it is. Shal-Raj-Gaz-Riyad... Mash-Al-Reza is about the perfect seam combo too. Dont need a long batting lineup. Tamim-Riyad is already a huge batting line up and Zia-Mash-Gaz are good slogger combo...

[Tiger444]

Originally Posted by rinathq
My squad for tmrw,

Tamim
Anamul
Shakib
Mushy
Nasir
Riyad
Zia
Mash
Gazi
Raj
Al Amin

AFGs are weak against spin. So spin it is. Shal-Raj-Gaz-Riyad... Mash-Al-Zia is about the perfect seam combo too. Dont need a long batting lineup. Tamim-Riyad is already a huge batting line up and Zia-Mash-Gaz are good slogger combo...

Zia's not in the squad bro

[Out_You_Go]

My team -

Motku mama - He did fine in both the warm ups.
Kopakopi - Overall, a better partner for Tamim.
T-20 specialist - Can be our surprise package. Afghans didnt play him in Asia Cup.
Mr. Shishir - Needs no comment
MSc. in History - Needs no comment
Once upon a time finisher - Doesnt take time for him to click, lets hope he does so tomorrow.
Bhaira - Might just work out.
Gayle trapper - We need spin.
Norail Express - Needs no comment
Bikkhato hashi - Best we have now.
Boro bhai - Lets face it, he wont be dropped.

Having said that, we should win tomorrow In Sha Allah. Bat first, score 170+ and defend it.

[Out_You_Go]

This just confirms what we all have been thinking. From Isam's article :-

" Bangladesh's line-up will become slightly more streamlined as Mushfiqur returns as wicketkeeper, having recovered from a finger injury. He kept against Ireland, and says that he missed captaining from behind the stumps.

"I was feeling great yesterday (in Fatullah against Ireland). I can manage the pain that I am playing with. I can see the team very well from my favoured position. I hope to keep tomorrow as well," he said. "

Now we can slightly fathom what went wrong with his captaincy during the Asia cup. With Mushy behind the stumps now, we are poised to win In sha Allah.