Afghanistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test Preview & Tips - Bangladesh backed for victory in one-off Test against Afghanistan

Bangladesh were beaten by Australia in their last Test, with this seeing their two-match series end in a 1-1 draw. 

Worrying for Afghanistan will be that their four wins have come over Zimbabwe twice and against the UAE's second team twice. Against better nations, Afghanistan have struggled. Indeed, their last game ended in a crushing innings and 300-run loss to India, with this making it consecutive Test defeats and four defeats across their last five in the longest format. 

However, Afghanistan will feel they are very much in the equation to win this one, as shown by the odds. While the head to head between the pair has seen the nations meet just twice, when either nation has won, they have won big. Afghanistan's win in 2019 came by 224 runs, while Bangladesh's win in 2023 came by 546 runs. 

It seems as though one side usually benefits from the other falling apart. With this in mind, I am backing Afghanistan to slump to a third consecutive defeat as Bangladesh prove that their recent win over Australia was no fluke. 

Wins over Zimbabwe, Ireland twice, Pakistan twice and Australia have come alongside a draw with Sri Lanka and defeats to Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia. Their recent win over Australia is arguably their biggest win across any match as they downed their opponents away from home. 

Bowling first, Bangladesh restricted the Aussies to 198 before battling to 426. They then bowled their opponents out for 284 before cruising to their target of 57 having lost a single wicket. Bangladesh were fully deserving of their win, and while they did lose the second Test, they left Australia with the psychological win after a 1-1 series draw. 

I am backing Bangladesh to build on their impressive draw with the Aussies as they make it six wins across their last eight.