Saif Hassan Set for ODI Debut as Bangladesh Face Afghanistan in Rare 50-Over Clash

Saif Hassan Set for ODI Debut as Bangladesh Face Afghanistan in Rare 50-Over Clash

Bangladesh and Afghanistan are set to lock horns in a rare ODI encounter at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, marking a shift from the flurry of T20Is both sides have been playing in recent months. The three-match series comes after Bangladesh's convincing 3-0 sweep in the T20I leg, with both teams aiming to shake off ODI rust and find momentum ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle.

Saif Hassan Ready for Debut

The spotlight will be on Bangladesh’s Saif Hassan, whose stellar T20I form has earned him a much-anticipated ODI debut. Known for his aggressive stroke play and composure under pressure, Saif is expected to open alongside Tanzid Hasan.

His 38-ball 64* in the final T20I against Afghanistan, where he smartly played out Rashid Khan’s final over and then accelerated, demonstrated both tactical maturity and flair — qualities Bangladesh desperately need in their ODI top order.

Bangladesh Eye Momentum, Afghanistan Seek Reset

Despite playing six ODIs in 2025, Bangladesh haven’t been consistent in the format — losing four of those games. However, the recent T20I series win has injected confidence into the squad, which is also being shaped with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup. Mehidy Hasan Miraz continues to lead the side, while Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman bring experience to a team in transition.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, are entering the series with little 50-over cricket under their belt — their last ODI outing in the 2025 Champions Trophy was washed out, and they have played just two ODIs all year. Their last five completed matches across formats have all ended in losses, and the team will be desperate to break the streak.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead a side featuring familiar names such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi. Azmatullah Omarzai, currently ranked No. 2 among ODI allrounders, will be a key figure with both bat and ball.

Probable XIs

Afghanistan:

  1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk),

  2. Ibrahim Zadran,

  3. Sediqullah Atal,

  4. Rahmat Shah,

  5. Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt),

  6. Darwish Rasooli,

  7. Azmatullah Omarzai,

  8. Mohammad Nabi,

  9. Rashid Khan,

  10. Nangeyalia Kharote,

  11. Bashir Ahmad

Bangladesh:

  1. Tanzid Hasan,

  2. Saif Hassan,

  3. Najmul Hossain Shanto,

  4. Towhid Hridoy,

  5. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt),

  6. Shamim Hossain,

  7. Jaker Ali (wk),

  8. Tanzim Hasan Sakib,

  9. Taskin Ahmed,

  10. Tanvir Islam,

  11. Mustafizur Rahman

Nurul Hasan will be in contention for a middle-order spot, battling with Hridoy and Jaker Ali for selection.

Pitch and Conditions

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium typically favours teams batting first in day-night ODIs. Four of the last five matches at the venue have been won by the team setting a target, with an average first-innings score of 274. Conditions are expected to be extremely hot during the day, with some relief from an evening breeze.

Players to Watch

Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan):
With 896 runs and 31 wickets in the last two years, Omarzai is Afghanistan's most vital player. His all-round capabilities offer balance and firepower, particularly in the death overs.

Saif Hassan (Bangladesh):
The 26-year-old is one of the most exciting inclusions in recent years. If his T20 form translates to ODIs, Bangladesh could find a long-term solution at the top of the order.

Stats and Trivia

  • This is the first ODI series between Bangladesh and Afghanistan since 2023. The bilateral series is currently tied 2-2.

  • Mohammad Nabi is the only player still active from the first ODI encounter between the two sides in 2014.

  • Bangladesh spinner Tanvir Islam’s five-for against Sri Lanka in July was the first by a Bangladeshi spinner in over two years.