BAN vs AFG Fantasy Cricket Asia Cup Match 9 Preview

The ninth match of the Asia Cup 2025 brings together Bangladesh and Afghanistan. This exciting clash will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. We will look at the probable playing elevens for both teams, analyze key players, suggest top fantasy cricket picks, and provide captain/vice-captain options. This guide gives you complete insight into the pitch conditions and player forms to help you build a strong fantasy team.

Pitch Report – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium is known for offering a balanced playing surface. Out of 68 matches played here, teams batting second have won more often.

• Teams chasing a target have secured 40 wins.
• Teams batting first have won 28 times.
• The average score is around 143 runs.

Scoring trends:

• Below 149 runs: 42 matches
• 150–169 runs: 14 matches
• 170–189 runs: 7 matches
• Above 190 runs: 5 matches

This shows that huge scores are rare here, and chasing teams generally have an edge.

Recent Match Analysis at This Venue

• Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka: BAN – 139/5, SL chased 140/4 (won by 6 wickets). Both pacers and spinners took 2 wickets each.
• Hong Kong vs. Bangladesh: HK – 143/7, BAN chased 144/3 (won by 7 wickets). Pacers dominated with 4+3 wickets combined.
• Afghanistan vs. Hong Kong: AFG – 188/6, HK – 94/9. AFG won by 94 runs. Pacers took 5 wickets in the 2nd innings, spinners 2.

Key Insight: Fast bowlers get extra support here, making them crucial fantasy picks.

Head-to-Head Record: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan

• Total Matches: 14
• Afghanistan wins: 8
• Bangladesh wins: 6

Recent form:

• Bangladesh: 3 wins in last 5 matches
• Afghanistan: 4 wins in last 5 matches

Afghanistan enters this contest with stronger momentum.

Afghanistan Probable Playing XI

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
2. Sediqullah Atal
3. Ibrahim Zadran
4. Gulbadin Naib
5. Azmatullah Omarzai
6. Mohammad Nabi
7. Karim Janat
8. Rashid Khan
9. Fazalhaq Farooqi
10. Qais Ahmad
11. Noor Ahmad

Bowling options: Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad (main bowlers). Nabi, Naib, and Omarzai provide extra overs.

Key Afghanistan Players

• Sediqullah Atal – Grand league trump card, averages 39 when batting first. Recent scores: 73, 13, 64, 54, 23.
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Safe fantasy pick due to wicketkeeping. Averages 19 on this ground.
• Ibrahim Zadran – Most reliable Afghan batsman. Recent scores: 1, 9, 48, 65, 63.
• Mohammad Nabi – Veteran all-rounder with 220 runs and 3 wickets in head-to-head games.
• Gulbadin Naib – Handy all-rounder, taken 7 wickets at this venue.
• Azmatullah Omarzai – Safe captaincy choice, consistent all-round contributions.
• Rashid Khan – Safest captaincy option, 19 wickets in 10 head-to-head matches.
• Noor Ahmad – Must-have bowler, consistently picks wickets.
• Qais Ahmad – Grand league pick if bowling first.
• Fazalhaq Farooqi – Powerplay and death-over wicket-taker, 7 wickets in 6 head-to-head matches.

Bangladesh Probable Playing XI

1. Parvez Hossain Emon
2. Tanzid Hasan
3. Litton Das (C & WK)
4. Towhid Hridoy
5. Mehidy Hasan Miraz
6. Zakir Ali
7. Shamim Hossain Patwary
8. Rishad Hossain
9. Tanzim Hasan Sakib
10. Shoriful Islam
11. Mustafizur Rahman

Possible Change: Taskin Ahmed may replace Shoriful Islam. If he plays, he is a key fantasy pick.

Key Bangladesh Players

• Parvez Hossain Emon – Grand league option if batting first. Avg 27 when opening innings.
• Tanzid Hasan – Better when chasing, averages 34 while batting second.
• Litton Das – Safe fantasy pick, consistent scorer and wicketkeeping points.
• Towhid Hridoy – Differential pick, averages 40 in head-to-head games.
• Mehidy Hasan Miraz – Good all-rounder pick, contributes with both bat and ball.
• Zakir Ali – Scored 41 in the last match, more effective batting first.
• Shamim Hossain Patwary – Performs best batting first.
• Rishad Hossain – Risky captaincy option, wicket-taking spinner.
• Tanzim Hasan Sakib – Must-have fast bowler given pitch support. Wickets in last 5 matches.
• Shoriful Islam – Useful only if Bangladesh bowls first.
• Mustafizur Rahman – Safe pick, stronger while bowling first.

Bench watch:

• Taskin Ahmed – If included, must-pick and captaincy option.
• Mohammad Saifuddin – Worth a pick if announced in XI.

Top Fantasy Cricket Picks

Core Must-Haves

• Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad
• Bangladesh: Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Hasan Sakib

These 8 form the best foundation for small leagues.

Differential & Grand League Picks

• Sediqullah Atal (AFG) – Big scores batting first.
• Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) – Reliable scorer.
• Mohammad Nabi (AFG) – Can surprise with all-round show.
• Parvez Hossain Emon (BAN) – Worth trying if BAN bats first.
• Towhid Hridoy (BAN) – Good if BAN chases.
• Rishad Hossain (BAN) – Lower selection, wicket-taking potential.

Captain and Vice-Captain Choices

Safe Options

• Rashid Khan (AFG) – Most reliable pick.
• Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) – Top all-rounder.

Risky Picks (Grand Leagues)

• Litton Das (BAN) – Safe batsman with extra points from keeping.
• Tanzim Hasan Sakib (BAN) – Dark horse with pitch assistance for pacers.
• Rishad Hossain (BAN) – High risk, high reward spinner.

Tip: Consider batting order after toss before confirming final choices.

Conclusion

The Asia Cup 2025 Match 9 between Bangladesh and Afghanistan promises to be a hard-fought contest. The Sheikh Zayed Stadium offers a balanced pitch, but chasing teams and fast bowlers enjoy slight advantages. Afghanistan comes in with stronger recent form and head-to-head record.

For fantasy teams, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Litton Das, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib are the most crucial picks, while differential options like Sediqullah Atal and Towhid Hridoy can help climb grand leagues.