Asia Cup 2023: Gaddafi Stadium Preview – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 4th Match, Group B

Gaddafi Stadium. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Bangladesh will lock horns with Afghanistan in Match No.4 of the sixteenth edition of the Asia Cup. The Group B encounter is all set to take place on Sunday, September 03rd, 2023 at the historic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Afghanistan will play its first game of the current competition while Lahore will also host its first match.

The Bangla Tigers, led by veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan have already made a losing start to the campaign. They suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka side in Pallekele. The runners-up of the last Asia Cup (ODI), the Bangladeshis will look to bounce back and put on a better show in this do-or-die clash.

On the other hand, the Afghans are entering the tournament after facing a 3-0 whitewash against Babar Azam’s Pakistan just before the start of the Asia Cup. The three-match ODI series was held in Sri Lanka only with the Men in Green managing to clean sweep. Hashmatullah Shahidi and his side would also hope to forget that series and make a fresh start to fight for the Asian glory.

BAN vs AFG Gaddafi Stadium Overview:

The surface in Lahore is a sporting one with both batters and bowlers getting assistance. The average first innings score at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is 252. The pacers have picked up 519 scalps at an average of 35.26 as compared to the spinner’s 236 at an average of 42.69. Sides batting first have managed to win 32 ODIs while 30 times chasing teams have emerged victorious out of the 64 matches held at the venue. One game ended up with a tie while one in no result.

BAN vs AFG Highest batting and bowling averages at Gaddafi Stadium:

Babar Azam and Michael Bevan have the joint-best average of 110.00 among the players with a minimum of four innings played at this ground. They are followed up by Zaheer Abbas in the second spot with an average of 91.80 and Hansie Cronje in the third position with a 77.50 average.

Saleem Malik has the best bowling average of 17.40 amongst the bowlers who have bowled in a minimum of ten innings. He is followed up by Imran Khan (21.16) and Wasim Akram (27.00).

 

BAN vs AFG Highest Team Score in Gaddafi Stadium:

The highest total of 375/3 has been achieved by the home side Pakistan against Zimbabwe in 2015

BAN vs AFG Best Bowling Figures in Gaddafi Stadium in ODIs:

Former South African Lance Klusener holds the record for the best bowling figures at this stadium. The Protea picked up figures of 6/49 against Sri Lanka in the year 1997.

Notably Century Makers:

There have been many players who have struck a century in Lahore but the ones from the current Asia Cup squads are Pakistani skipper Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq. Both the cricketers have smashed two centuries each at this ground in ODIs.

Impact of Toss on Results:

Teams winning the toss have won 59.38% of matches (38 out of 64) while sides losing the toss have won 37.50% of games (24 out of 64). One encounter ended in a tie while the other one in no result.

Spin vs Pace Success:

The pacers are way ahead as they have picked up 519 scalps at an average of 35.26 in 64 ODIs played in Lahore. On the other hand, the spinners have taken only 236 wickets at an average of 42.69.

Close Encounter:

Pakistan and West Indies game in the year 1987 turned out to be a thriller in Lahore. The visitors batted first and posted 216 on the board in 49.3 overs. Chasing 217, the home side got over the line on the final delivery of the match with the loss of nine wickets. Ramiz Raja and Javed Miandad scored 42 and 33 runs, respectively while Saleem Yousuf struck 56 as Pakistan won by a solitary wicket.