**Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Ipswich Town - Prediction, Team News, Lineups** Tottenham Hotspur will host Ipswich Town in an exciting pre-season clash as both teams prepare for the new campaign. Spurs are aiming to build on their impressive off-season progress under manager Ange Postecoglou, while Ipswich will be looking to fine-tune their squad ahead of their return to the Championship. In this preview, we take a closer look at the predicted lineups, key players to watch, and our match prediction for what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

 

Bangladesh and Afghanistan Captains at the Coin Toss – Screenshot from Video on Afghanistan Cricket Board’s X Handle

3rd ODI: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan – Bangladesh Wins Toss and Bats First, Nahid Rana Makes ODI Debut

Bangladesh's stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the crucial toss in the series-deciding third One Day International (ODI) against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE on Monday. Without hesitation, Miraz chose to bat first, a decision backed by the ground’s history, where teams batting first often have the upper hand.

The series is currently tied at 1-1. Afghanistan claimed victory in the first ODI with a 92-run win, while Bangladesh bounced back to level the series with a 68-run win in the second match.

Key Team Changes

Bangladesh made two significant changes to their lineup. Regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was ruled out due to a groin injury sustained during his match-winning 76-run innings in the second ODI. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also announced that Shanto would miss the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.

To fill in the gaps, Zakir Hasan returned to the ODI squad, making his comeback after last playing against New Zealand in September 2023. Additionally, Nahid Rana, who impressed in Test cricket, made his ODI debut as a replacement for the rested Taskin Ahmed.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, opted for consistency and fielded an unchanged lineup. Their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi noted that the fresh, dry pitch might favor spin, making it challenging for teams batting second.

Captains’ Comments

After winning the toss, Miraz expressed his confidence:  

"The wicket looks good in the first innings. Winning the toss and leading the side is a good moment for me," he told the broadcaster.

Shahidi, confident despite batting second, said:  

"The pitch is new and looks drier. I think it’ll spin. Chasing is a bit difficult here. We’ll try to learn from the previous match and perform well today."

Playing XI

Bangladesh:  

Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Zakir Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik (w), Nasum Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Afghanistan:  

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi

With both teams eager to clinch the series, fans can expect an exciting showdown as Bangladesh looks to capitalize on their decision to bat first.