Afghanistan will begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Bangladesh on Sunday, September 03 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Bangladesh had a dismal start to their Asia Cup journey as they suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan hosts in the opening match. Conversely, this will be the first game for the Afghan team in the 16th edition of the Asia Cup. Check out the comprehensive pitch report of the Gaddafi Stadium for BAN vs AFG match below.
Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report
The Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore is scheduled to be the venue for three matches in the Asia Cup 2023. To kick things off, there will be the AFG vs PAK match. Following that, the Sri Lankan team will take on Afghanistan in a group-stage encounter at this venue. Lastly, a Super 4 match will also be held at this venue.
Typically, this Lahore pitch doesn’t offer significant bounce for fast bowlers, and there’s not much lateral movement for the ball. To be effective here, bowlers need to maintain a consistent line and length while incorporating variations in their deliveries. Given the slower nature of the pitch, spinners might come into play during the middle overs. In Lahore, leg-spinners could prove to be more impactful compared to off-spinners.
Also read: IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023: 3 key battles that could take place in the Kandy clash
In the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, the conditions appear favorable for the batters. Most wickets at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium are claimed when batters attempt boundary shots. Consequently, adopting a more patient and steady approach can lead to higher scores. It’s worth noting that in recent times, teams chasing a target have experienced more success here. Therefore, the team winning the toss may opt to field first.
BAN vs AFG: Probable Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzid Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Karim Janat, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad
