Bangladesh U19 vs Afghanistan U19, ACC U19 Asia Cup 2024: Afghanistan U19 will face Bangladesh U19 in the opening match of the U19 Asia Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This encounter sets the tone for the tournament, with both teams looking to make a strong start in their campaign.
Afghanistan U19, under the leadership of Mehboob Khan, comes into the competition with a revamped squad. The team struggled in the previous edition, winning only one match and failing to progress beyond the group stage.

With promising players like Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Hamza Alikhil, Afghanistan aims to deliver a better performance this time around. Ghazanfar's all-round capabilities and Hamza's consistency with the bat will be critical for the team's success.
Bangladesh U19, the defending champions, enters the tournament with high expectations. The side is captained by Azizul Hakim Tamim, who leads a team that combines experienced youth players with fresh talent. Bangladesh clinched the title in the previous edition by defeating UAE in the final. Players such as Iqbal Hasan Emon and Rizan Hossan are key figures in their lineup. Emon's bowling versatility and Hossan's attacking approach with the bat make them vital to their campaign.
The head-to-head record between the two teams has been competitive, with Bangladesh holding a slight edge in recent encounters. Afghanistan, however, will look to draw inspiration from their significant 158-run victory over Bangladesh in a previous youth ODI. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in recent years, and this match promises to be a closely contested battle.
The match will provide an opportunity for rising stars from both teams to showcase their skills on a big stage. Afghanistan's unpredictability and Bangladesh's well-rounded squad set the stage for an intriguing contest. The result of this game could have a significant impact on the group standings and set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
The squads for both teams feature players eager to make their mark in international cricket, and the match is expected to draw attention from fans and scouts alike. Both sides will aim to execute their plans effectively and seize early momentum in the competition.
Bangladesh U19 squad: Al Fahad, Ashrafuzzaman Barenava, Azizul Hakim Tamim (c), Debasish Sarkar Deba, Farid Hasan Faysal, Iabal Hasan Emon, Maruf Maidha, Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Rifat Beg, Rizan Hossan, Saad Islam Razin, Samiun Basir Ratul, Shihab James, Zawad Abrar (vc).
Afghanistan U19 squad: Mehboob Khan (c/wk), Hamza Alikhil (wk), Uzair Khan, Faisal Khan, Barakatullah Ibrahimzai, Ezatullah Barikzai, Aziz Miakhil, Nazeef Amiri, Abdul Aziz, Nasratullah Nooristani, Khatir Stanikzai, Fahim Khewawal, Hafeez Zadran, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Naseer Khan Maroofkhil.