Ahead of their three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, Bangladesh find itself grappling with off-field complications, overshadowing their cricketing preparations. Key players Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das are missing from the squad for this UAE tour, while two squad members, Nahid Rana and Nasum Ahmed, have yet to join the team due to visa issues. Despite these setbacks, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi is unfazed, emphasizing his team’s focus on their own strengths.

During the pre-match press conference, Shahidi made it clear that Afghanistan is approaching the series with intense preparation and singular focus on their own strategy. When asked about Bangladesh’s struggles, he commented, “I honestly wasn’t aware of their (Bangladesh’s) issues like the visa complications. But as I’ve said before, we’re not concerned with what’s happening with them. We’re fully focused on ourselves and our game. We’re putting all our attention on delivering our best performance and staying locked into our own team.”

While he acknowledged Bangladesh’s strong lineup, Shahidi expressed readiness to face their replacements, stating, “We’re fully prepared and we know they have a lot of talented players. It’s a matter of seeing who steps in for those unavailable.”

The series, set to begin tomorrow, November 6, is shaping up to be a competitive clash, with Afghanistan prepared to exploit any cracks in Bangladesh’s lineup while aiming to deliver a focused performance of their own.