T20 World Cup | ENG vs BAN: Learnings from defeat key to Bangladesh's challenge against mighty English

The English team showed how grand they are after they bundled out defending champions West Indies for only 52 in their first game in the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai. They would now travel to Shiekh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to face the Asian challenge in form of Bangladesh, who have been inconsistent, to say the least. 

The Bangla Tigers have what it takes to be a strong unit. They have experienced bowlers in Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan and also the youthfulness of Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed. In the batting, Msuhfiqur Rahim coming to form was an indication that the team is ready to take it to the next level with the bat as Shakib, Mohammad Naim and skipper Mahmudullah have shown glimpses of being in form as well. 

The message is not to panic for Bangladesh

Bangladesh bowling coach Otis Gibson in the pre-match press conference said that the key is not to panic. "The message is not to panic. Understand that you will get hit off a good ball. That's their mentality. But they also give you an opportunity to take wickets. We must be calm to execute our skills and plans, and consider about every ball we bowl,” he said. 

However, panicking has been a key aspect of Bangladesh cricket, especially in crunch situations and it has continued in this World Cup as well. They panicked against Scotland and lost their first game. Then they panicked against Oman too, but the brilliance of Shakib made sure that they win and qualify. Against Sri Lanka, they were leading the game for 75% of the time, but once again went back to their old ways and lost the game. 

Mahmudullah took the matchup thing too seriously and didn’t bowl Shakib and Mustafiur Rahman when it was required the most, he instead bowl three overs of himself and Afif Hossain. They did create chances but Liton Das dropped two easy catches, once again panicking and thus lost the game. Thus to say not to panic is one thing, but will Bangladesh be able to execute is another. 

England looking to go with the flow

The English team was on top of its game apart from the batting where they lost four wickets while chasing a bare minimum target of 53. But their bowling was ruthless and coach Chris Silverwood was very appreciative about it as well. 

"We've had teams before at 34-3 or 40-3 in the powerplay and maybe not pushed as hard, but what I saw was that ruthless streak comes out. That's one that everyone dreams of,” he said about the team’s bowling performance. 

The coach said that the team would be looking to carry on this momentum and playing against Bangladesh give them the opportunity to be able to do that. “It's one win. It's brilliant, great to get the points in the bag and the net run-rate up, but it's just a start,” he said. 

England vs Bangladesh: Match Details

Match Number - 20

Date and Time: October 27, 2021, 03:30 pm IST, 02:00 pm Local, 10:00 am IST

Venue: Shiekh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Broadcast and Livestream: Star Sports and Hotstar

Pitch Report

The wicket at Abu Dhabi in the last few games played has shown that it is not easy to score runs, but over time wickets have gotten better just like the wickets of Sharjah and Dubai wickets. In Abu Dhabi, the pitches are still in favour of the bowlers, and thus a score of anywhere above 150 is as good as a 170 in Dubai or Sharjah. 

Weather Forecast

The temperatures in the day are going to remain in the lower-thirties throughout the game. Humidity will be low and will rise from 42 to 54 per cent from 2 pm to 5 pm, and hence not much sweating for the players. 

Thus the best bet in such conditions would be to win the toss and bat first, give your spinners a chance to use the wicket second and try and extract some help. But bowling first wouldn’t be bad either for a team like England which loves chasing. 

Team News

England

The English team wouldn’t be looking to make any amendments in the XI until and unless rotation policy comes into play or Mark Wood is declared fit. In that case, Chris Jordan would have to make way for him. Otherwise, there seems to be no need for any other change. 

Probable XI

Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills

Bangladesh

As far as Bangladesh are concerned, Soumya Sarkar might be in contention for the opening position once again as Liton Das has not only failed with the bat in all games so far, but in the last game, even his fielding was of a lot of concern. If not Sarkar, then, young Shamim Hossain Potwari could be brought in place of Liton and either Mahedi Hasan or Afif Hossain could be asked to open the innings. Another change could be in form of Mohammad Saifuddin and Shoriful Islam, who is great with his change of pace could also be given a chance.

Probable XI

Mohammad Naim, Somya Sarkar/Shamim Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (c), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin/Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

CE XI Fantasy team

Wicketkeeper Josh Buttler, Mushfiqur Rahim

Batters Mohammad Naim, Mahmudullah, Jason Roy

All-rounders Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Shakib Al Hasan

Bowlers Mustafizur Rahman, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills

Vice-Captain Shakib Al Hasan

Captain Moeen Ali