BAN vs AUS | History beckons depleted Tigers, can they stand tall against the mighty Aussies?

It is not often that Australia comes to Bangladesh on tour to play bilateral series. Well, the last it happened was way back in 2017 and at that time only a two-match Test series was played in which Bangladesh registered a historic first-ever Test win against the Kangaroos. 

For a limited-overs series between the two sides, one has to go way back to 2011 when Australia toured Bangladesh and won the ODI series 3-0. In T20Is, well, this is the first-ever bilateral series between the two sides in a format that is now almost two decades old. 

However late it might have been, but Bangladesh wouldn’t be complaining as they are getting the ideal preparation for the T20 World Cup scheduled for October this year in UAE.

Bangladesh's depleted squad 

While Bangladesh might not be complaining after getting to play against Australia, but the side has been depleted of its main resources as its experienced players in Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das will miss the series due to various reasons. 

Other than that, key players such as Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Soumya Sarkarare also carrying an injury or two and hence aren’t 100% fit before the start of the iconic series. The schedule of the series is cramped as five T20Is are to be played in eight days and hence quick recovery from any of these three players, if gotten injured, won’t be possible. 

Thus it might be a great opportunity for upcoming players like Shamim Chowdhary, Nur-ul Hasan and Afif Hossain, but the Bangladesh team is walking on thin ice as far as their main squad is concerned. 

Australia suffer from its own perils

The Australian team isn’t that free from burdens either as a new skipper in Matthew Wade would be leading them in the absence of regular skipper Aaron Finch who is out due to injury. They don’t have their mainstays in form of Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis either and hence is not as strong as it generally has been

Will Bangladesh be able to take advantage of that? Only time will tell. 

Bangladesh vs Australia: Match Details

Match Number- 01

Date and Time: August 03, 2021, 05:30 pm IST, 06:00 pm Local, 12:00 pm GMT

Venue: Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

Livestream: Fancode

Pitch Report

During the Dhaka Premier League matches played at the venue, it was behaving a bit sticky and high scoring totals aren’t its main foray. The ball would grip no doubt and chances of dew are minimal as well. 

Weather Forecast

When the match begins at 06:00 pm local time, there are 25% chances of rain and humidity is in the 70s. The rain forecast increases to 40% by 07:00 pm and 47% by 08:00 pm. By 09:00 pm, there is even a forecast of thunderstorms and hence expecting a smooth match would not be ideal. In such conditions, the team winning the toss would look to bowl first.  

Team News

Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi side is hopeful of all three in Shakib, Soumya and Mustafiz making into the playing XI. Along with that Shamim and Afif, both are likely to play as well. 

Probable XI

Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah(c), Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan(w), Mohammad Saifuddin, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam

Australia

The Australian side would look to go with Alex Carey as a specialist batter in absence of Finch and Moises Henriques is most likely to get another go in this series to see if he has gotten back from or not after a horrid time in the Caribbean. 

Probable XI

Josh Philippe, Ben McDermott, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Alex Carey, Matthew Wade(w/c), Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Fantasy XI

Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Josh Philippe, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Mustafizur Rahman

Captain Mitchell Marsh

Vice-Captain Shakib Al Hasan