Ramiz Raja to commentate on Afghanistan-Bangladesh Test in Abu Dhabi
KABUL: Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja will be behind the microphone for the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, after the Afghanistan Cricket Board named him in a six-member commentary panel for the series opener in Abu Dhabi.
The ACB announced the line-up on Wednesday. Alongside Raja, the panel features former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof, Irish broadcaster Andrew Leonard, Indian commentator Devender Kumar, Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and analyst Mazhar Uddin.
The Test, the only red-ball fixture of the tour, will be played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium from October 9 to 13. Bangladesh will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, while Afghanistan go in under captain Rahmat Shah.
Raja, who captained Pakistan in the 1990s and later served as PCB chairman, has built a long second career as one of the most recognisable voices in world cricket broadcasting. His presence gives the series a familiar face for Pakistani viewers, who have followed Afghanistan’s rise in the longer format closely.
Ramiz Raja joins the panel for a packed month of cricket
The Test is the curtain-raiser for a busy stretch of fixtures involving the two teams.
From October 17 to 23, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will contest an ODI tri-nation series. The first two matches are scheduled for Abu Dhabi before the action moves to Sharjah.
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe then meet in a three-match T20I series on October 27, October 29 and November 1.
The red-ball action resumes in November, when Afghanistan and Bangladesh play a two-Test series. The first Test runs November 5 to 9 and the second from November 13 to 17, both at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The two sides have met only twice in Test cricket, with the honours shared at one win apiece. That thin history adds an edge to the Abu Dhabi contest, with both teams keen to claim the lead in the head-to-head.
Squads named for the one-off Test
Afghanistan have named a 15-man squad built around captain Rahmat Shah, with Ikram Alikhail as vice-captain and wicketkeeper. Hashmatullah Shahidi, Qais Ahmad and Yamin Ahmadzai are among the experienced names in the group.
Bangladesh, led by Shanto, travel with a settled red-ball core including Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, plus the pace options of Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury and Shoriful Islam.
FAQ
When is the Afghanistan-Bangladesh one-off Test?
October 9 to 13 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Who is in the commentary panel?
Ramiz Raja, Farveez Maharoof, Andrew Leonard, Devender Kumar, Naveen-ul-Haq and Mazhar Uddin.
Have Afghanistan and Bangladesh played Tests before?
Yes, twice, with one win each.
