Bangladesh vs Afghanistan 1st ODI 2025 Match Preview and Insights

Bangladesh and Afghanistan are back in ODI cricket with the same goal in Abu Dhabi, to find rhythm again. Both teams last played this format months ago. Afghanistan’s last ODI was eight months back in the 2025 Champions Trophy, and Bangladesh played their last in July. This long gap makes timing and focus very important. Fans expect a close match full of small errors and quick adjustments.

Afghanistan wants to end a five-match losing streak. Bangladesh aims to keep its winning energy after sweeping the T20I series. New players, big names, and fresh hopes make this first ODI an important start to the Bangladesh Tour of Afghanistan 2025.

Team Previews

Afghanistan Preview

Afghanistan depends on its trusted players. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi leads a steady batting group with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and Sediqullah Atal. These players form the main batting base. Afghanistan’s biggest strength is still their all-rounders.

Azmatullah Omarzai is their most complete cricketer. In the last two years, he has scored 896 runs and taken 31 wickets in ODIs. He is now ranked No. 2 among all-rounders worldwide. His batting at number six and his medium pace give the team balance. He supports senior pros Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, who remain key in the middle overs.

Youngsters Bashir Ahmad and Abdollah Ahmadzai will also be tested. Afghanistan selectors left out Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and Noor Ahmad to bring fresh faces and better team balance.

Bangladesh Preview

Bangladesh is planning ahead for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Mehidy Hasan Miraz continues as captain. His calm leadership helps a side that needs stability after mixed results earlier in the year.

Najmul Hossain Shanto returns to the lineup, while Saif Hassan joins after shining in T20Is. His 64 off 38 balls in Sharjah impressed everyone. He and Tanzid Hasan will open the innings, giving Bangladesh a young and fearless start.

The middle order featured Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, and Nurul Hasan. Bangladesh has strong bowling options too. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman lead the pace attack, while Tanvir Islam and Rishad Hossain provide spin depth. The team must find the right mix between attack and control, as the Abu Dhabi pitch suits batting early and spin later in the day.

Probable XIs

Afghanistan (Probable XI)	Bangladesh (Probable XI)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)	Tanzid Hasan
Ibrahim Zadran	Saif Hassan
Sediqullah Atal	Najmul Hossain Shanto
Rahmat Shah	Towhid Hridoy
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)	Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c)
Darwish Rasooli	Shamim Hossain
Azmatullah Omarzai	Jaker Ali (wk)
Mohammad Nabi	Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Rashid Khan	Taskin Ahmed
Nangeyalia Kharote	Tanvir Islam
Bashir Ahmad	Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and Conditions

Sheikh Zayed Stadium offers a balance for bat and ball. In the last five ODIs here, teams batting first won four times. The average first-innings score is 274. Batters can score freely in the first half, while spinners get some help later.

The weather will be hot. The temperature will test players’ fitness, but an evening breeze might bring slight relief. Captains will likely bat first to post a big total and build pressure later.

Form Guide

Team	Last Five Matches
Afghanistan	W L W W W
Bangladesh	L W L L L

Bangladesh last won an ODI against Afghanistan in November 2024. After that, their form has been inconsistent. Afghanistan started 2024 well, but later lost key games. Both sides are eager to prove they still belong among the top ODI teams.

Players to Watch

Top Batters (Recent ODI Stats)

Player	Team	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Sediqullah Atal	AFG	9	335	41.88	82.1
Ibrahim Zadran	AFG	3	216	72.00	106.4
Jaker Ali	BAN	10	366	45.75	82.61
Mehidy Hasan Miraz	BAN	10	295	29.50	75.25

Saif Hassan could also be a surprise performer. He plays spin confidently and looks calm under pressure. His ODI debut will draw attention.

Top Bowlers (Recent ODI Stats)

Player	Team	Matches	Wickets	Economy	Strike Rate
AM Ghazanfar	AFG	7	18	4.21	15.44
Azmatullah Omarzai	AFG	9	18	5.27	16.94
Taskin Ahmed	BAN	7	10	4.88	36.00
Tanvir Islam	BAN	3	7	4.80	25.71

Rashid Khan and Mustafizur Rahman are still match-winners. Both can change the game with quick wickets in the middle overs.

Head-to-Head Record

Date	Winner	Margin
11-Nov-2024	Afghanistan	5 wickets
09-Nov-2024	Bangladesh	68 runs
06-Nov-2024	Afghanistan	92 runs
06-Oct-2023	Bangladesh	6 wickets
03-Sep-2023	Bangladesh	89 runs

Bangladesh lead 3-2 in their last five ODIs. Both sides have had moments of control. The team that starts well in the first ten overs often finishes stronger.

Key Matchups

Azmatullah Omarzai vs Taskin Ahmed

Omarzai bowls fast and attacks with pace. Taskin uses line and swing to find edges. Whoever takes early wickets can tilt the match.

Rashid Khan vs Saif Hassan

Rashid’s speed and spin are hard to read. Saif must stay patient and rotate strikes to avoid pressure.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz vs Mohammad Nabi

Both captains play similar roles as all-rounders. Their runs and breakthroughs will decide control in the middle overs.

Momentum and Mindset

Bangladesh’s T20I sweep gives them early confidence. Still, ODI cricket demands longer focus and smart partnerships. Afghanistan’s spinners suit these dry conditions. Their middle order can lift the run rate late in the innings.

Bangladesh must improve fielding and death-over bowling. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman will be under pressure to bowl tight lines at the end.

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Live Streaming

Fans can watch Bangladesh VS Afghanistan live on tapmad in Bangladesh. It is the official platform for streaming every game of the Bangladesh Tour of Afghanistan 2025. tapmad offers HD quality, quick score updates, and match highlights. Stay tuned to tapmad for live coverage and post-match updates.

What to Expect in the 1st ODI

The Abu Dhabi pitch supports batting. Both teams will aim to score big early. Early wickets can still shift the balance. Bangladesh’s openers must build a steady start. Afghanistan’s spinners will try to slow things down after the first powerplay.

Expect new plans, fresh bowling changes, and a contest between young hitters and experienced bowlers. The first ten overs in each innings could decide the result.

Key Takeaways

• Both teams return to ODIs after long gaps, so early rhythm matters most.
• Bangladesh wants to keep their winning run from the T20Is.
• Afghanistan’s all-rounders like Omarzai and Nabi can turn the match.
• The Abu Dhabi pitch helps batting first, making the toss very important.

Conclusion

The first ODI of Bangladesh vs Afghanistan is a big test of skill and focus after a long break. Both sides mix young energy with senior guidance. Each wants to start this series with a strong message ahead of future ICC events.

The Abu Dhabi heat will test stamina, but the cricket will be full of action. Every over will count. The team that settles early and keeps calm under pressure can take the lead in this exciting Bangladesh Tour of Afghanistan 2025.