Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2022, Highlights: Spinners, Najibullah shine as Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets

Allan Donald, the fast-bowling coach of Bangladesh is in for a chat. He says they have trained for three very tough days in Dhaka and four days in the ICC venues. Adds they are very well prepared, and now is the time to put the performance on the pitch. Mentions that they have lost crucial wickets in the Powerplay and that needs to improve. Ends by saying they are pretty good in their bowling in the Powerplays but now they need to control the game in the middle phase of matches.

We are minutes away from the start of play! But before the game begins, the umpires and the two sets of players line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Afghanistan's national anthem first followed by the national anthem of Bangladesh.

PITCH REPORT - Scott Styris is near the deck. He says that it is a fresh deck. There is sheen across the deck as well. Adds that the boundaries are small. Ends by saying it is a great surface to bat on.

Mohammad Nabi, the skipper of Afghanistan is in for a chat. He says that the wicket is good and they will aim to restrict them to a low score. Mentions the morale of the team is high and hopefully they continue in the same manner. Further says that they are sticking to the same side. Mentions it is a slow pitch also a fresh one. Ends by saying they will try their best to keep them to a low total.

Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Mohammad Naim, Anamul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Afif Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed. 

Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh says that they will bat first. Mentions that it looks like a good wicket and will be a bit difficult for Afghanistan to put score on the board. Adds that their bowling pack seems to be in rhythm and now it is only about moving up with the momentum. Says that Asia Cup is a great platform and the rivalry between the neighbouring countries makes it more intriguing.

Afghanistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (C), Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

TOSS - Bangladesh have won the toss and they have elected to BAT first.

Bangladesh come into this game on the back of some really poor performances in T20I matches, but their regular skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, is back in the team and will look to provide that leadership that his team has lacked in recent times. They will face a tough opposition who are flying high, but Bangladesh do have players that can beat any side on their day. Will Bangladesh be able to start off with a win? Or will Afghanistan continue their march? We'll find out soon. Toss and team news in a bit.