Will Bangladesh boost

 Mashrafe Mortaza was optimistic of receiving backing from the stands during the match, but Bangladesh's form in the warm-ups has not generated the same confidence. The loss to Pakistan, albeit close, was not unexpected but the defeat to Ireland would have hurt. Bangladesh have trained hard post those losses, and Mortaza appreciated the efforts put in by his players.

The onus has to be on Bangladesh here, given they are the Full Member side with nearly 15 years of Test history. However, Afghanistan beat Bangladesh the only time they met them in the ODI format in the Asia Cup last March, and have taken down Zimbabwe twice in four meetings. The fact that all those three wins came at the home of the opposition is revealing too, and Afghanistan believe Australian conditions suit them better.

Ireland chasing 300-plus against West Indies in Nelson has already set an early standard for Associates in this World Cup, and not only Afghanistan, but Bangladesh are also taking that result as an inspiration. They know how hard it is going to be for them to beat two of Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia and England, which is why they cannot afford another slip-up against Afghanistan.

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The Afghanistan fast bowlers are tall and quick. The usually short Bangladesh batsmen will have to handle the extra bounce, something they are not used to at home and something they have been working on in the nets. The likes of Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim have the strokes, but it will be a matter of getting in first.

Tamim Iqbal made 81 against Pakistan in the warm-up game but he has been feeling his way back from knee surgery. He has not been extending himself during training. He does not have any major worries, and even if there is a niggle or two, Mortaza said his experienced opener was mentally strong enough to do his job well.

Courtesy Espncricinfo