|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh and Afghanistan are set to clash in a three-match ODI series this November, with Bangladeshi pacer Shoriful Islam anticipating a fiercely competitive series.

Shoriful acknowledged the strength of Afghanistan's team and noted that their frequent exposure to global leagues has given Afghan players a unique advantage over their Bangladeshi counterparts.

In the last 6-7 years, Afghan players have become regulars in prominent leagues like the IPL, Big Bash, PSL, and CPL, with demand for them only increasing each year.

This experience has significantly impacted the Afghan national team's performance, demonstrated by their recent achievements: they reached the T20 World Cup semifinals last year, placed in the top five in the ODI World Cup, and defeated South Africa 2-1 in a recent ODI series.

Shoriful believes the Afghan players’ exposure to high-quality franchise cricket has advanced their skills in international matches.

“I think playing in so many leagues has given them an edge. When you play with big-name players, it changes your approach to the game. We’re also progressing along that path, and within a few years, you’ll see us delivering better results,” Shoriful said to Cricrfenzy.

The series, hosted by Afghanistan, will take place in the United Arab Emirates, with the first ODI scheduled for November 6, followed by games on November 9 and 11.

Reflecting on the UAE venue, which Afghanistan frequently uses as a home ground, Shoriful expects an intense series.

"I think it’ll be a tough fight against Afghanistan. They train mostly in the UAE, so it's like a home venue for them. But if we go there early and practice, I believe we’ll come out victorious, In Shaa Allah" he added.

This series was initially slated for July-August but was postponed due to extreme heat conditions in the UAE and India. Afghanistan typically holds its 'home' matches in the UAE.