DHAKA, Oct 8, 2025 (BSS) - Saif Hassan made an ODI debut following a 
consistent performance in T20 cricket as Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan 
Miraz opted to bat first in the three-match ODI series opening game against 
Afghanistan at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi today.
 
The two sides switched formats after Bangladesh completed a 3-0 clean sweep 
in the T20I series.

Miraz said they are keen to keep the momentum going in the ODI series too.

"Wicket looks good and 280 might be a good score here. We played really well 
in the T20I series and we just want to keep the momentum going," Miraz told 
the broadcasters after winning the toss.
 
Bangladesh are playing the first ODI series since their 2-1 defeat to Sri 
Lanka in July this year.

"This is a very important match, after a long time we are playing an ODI. We 
have three fast bowlers, two spinners and we have one debutant in Saif. The 
way he (Saif) played in Asia Cup and T20 series, I hope he gets going well."

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said he also would have batted first 
if they won the toss.

"We wanted to bat, it is a new pitch and I hope the decision they took will 
benefit us. We have beeen playing domestic tournaments back home and some 
played the T20 series and let's hope we get good results."

Line Ups:

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Saif Hassan, Mehidy 
Hasan Miraz(c), Nurul Hasan Sohan, Jaker Ali Anik, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin 
Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat 
Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid 
Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar and Bashir Ahmad.