The match at Sugathadasa Stadium will kick off at 4.30 pm Bangladesh time.

Both the previous Group B matches have ended in draws and Bangladesh share the lead with Nepal, leaving India and Afghanistan behind on goal difference.

Afghanistan's spirited performance in an upset goalless draw against three-time gold medalists India have injected more competition into the group for a place in the semifinals and although Bangladesh have never lost to Afghanistan, coach Diego Cruciani would be under pressure to maintain the record.

At national level, Bangladesh trounced Afghanistan 4-1 and drew 2-2 in the Asian Cup qualifiers in January 1979 in Dhaka and at under-23 level, Bangladesh edged Afghanistan 2-1 when the latter made their SA Games debut in Islamabad two years ago. The Afghans also lost 3-2 to a Bangladesh XI in the President's Gold Cup in Dhaka in the late 70s.

Argentine Cruciani, who was sweating over the team's only playmaker Ujjal's fitness after he was taken off against Nepal with a cramp, hinted at at least two changes. He said that he would give international debut to striker Robin in place of Topu, who was not 'satisfactory'. He will also bring in Rintu. Zahid Hossain will play only if Ujjal is unavailable. It means Bangladesh will return to a more conventional 4-4-2 formation with two holding midfielders in Arman Aziz and Rintu.

In today's other matches, India play Nepal and Bhutan take on Maldives.

PROBABLE SQUAD
Shakil; Siraji, Wali, Ariful, Titu, Arman, Rintu, Faisal, Ujjal/Zahid Hossain, Emily and Robin.