Bangladesh bowl first in 1st ODI against Afghans

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bat first against Bangladesh in the three-match ODI series opening game at their adopted venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Zakir Hasan made a comeback to the side after playing his only ODI for Bangladesh in September, 2026. Zakir, a regular player in Test format, was given a chance to cement his ODI spot.

Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and fast bowler Nahid Rana were not considered for selection in first XI as they are yet to reach in the UAE due to visa complicacy.

The build up to next year's Champions Trophy for both sides has begun with this series in fact.

Bangladesh are playing their first ODI since March of this year. They are coming into this series having lost the away Tests to India and home Tests to South Africa and with plenty of off the field issues.

Afghanistan are flying high having recently won an ODI series against South Africa for the first time and that too at this very venue.

Ibrahim Zadran however won't play for Afghanistan this match due to his injury. 

Even though Bangladesh lost the last bilateral ODI series between the two sides in Chattogram in 2022, the Tigers won the last three matches against the Afghans.

Line Ups: 

Bangladesh: Zakir Hasan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Allah Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi.