Afghanistan ‘favourites’ according to Shakib

Bangladesh are being thought of as the favourites in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan given their overall experience playing in international cricket. Afghanistan's tenure in international cricket has been relatively short by comparison, having made their T20I debut in 2010. Bangladesh's ace all-rounder however feels differently about who should be considered favourites in the upcoming series against the Afghans.

However, Afghanistan's T20I record is a shrewd one as the Asian team managed 41 wins in 63 T20Is so far. Afghans also become the 12th nation to be granted Test status last year.

The Afghans, boasting top talents like Rashid Khan in their squad are ranked higher than experienced teams like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Bangladesh's T20 captain Shakib Al Hasan did not hesitate to say that based on rankings, Afghanistan were favourites. However, like Mahmudullah Riyad before him. Shakib went with a similar line, suggesting that in T20s any side can be beaten on given day.

Asked about who he felt were favourites, Shakib replied: "Actually there are no favourites in T20 cricket. Any team can beat any other team in this format."

Afghanistan, ranked eighth sit two places above Bangladesh who are on 10th in the T20 ICC rankings and Shakib said that it makes Afghanistan the favourites.

"Afghanistan are two steps ahead of us so I will say that they are the favourites," Shakib added.

Bangladesh will play the first T20 against Afghanistan on June 3 and the Tigers are leaving for Dehradun tomorrow, May 29.