Bangladesh were presumably the strongest side in the first round of the T20 World Cup being played in the UAE and Oman and Papua New Guinea were the new kids on the block at this level.
The world was all but sure of Bangladesh’ advance to the Super 12 round of the competition while any sort of success for Papua New Guinea would have made a great compelling story for the development of the game.
Two games later, both of them go head to head against each other and have little to no difference in prospect for the next round. Bangladesh have won one of the two games played so far and stand just one game and win away from advancing to the next level while Papua New Guinea have been proven limited by others.
The future did not come swiftly for Bangladesh as they were rocked in the very first game by Scotland, as their timid batting left a lot to be desired for the bowlers who had done their job pretty well.
Batting a concern for Bangladesh
Chasing a decent total of 141 runs against Scotland, Bangladesh batsmen were conservative in their approach, and especially the experienced middle-order trio of Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan batted with poor strike rates and left the lower order to get a lot of runs in the end overs.
They could neither get their foot off the pedal nor could they preserve a lot of wickets in their hands and in the end, the Scottish men were all over them and handed a demoralising loss.
The game against Oman could well have another batting disaster for them and the end of their T20 World Cup if not for the best of Shakib just at the right moment.
He scored 29-ball 42 with the bat to set up a good score and the spinners, as they usually do on supporting pitches, made light work of the Oman batting unit.
Shakib termed the win over Oman a victory that would bring relief to the camp, but he too will underline the need of continuing with the good work with the bat. They are all but through but if they want the world to recognise Bangladesh as a force to reckon with, they will have to find their best by the end of the first phase against Papua New Guinea.
Exposure for Papua New Guinea
While the Bangla Tigers will be eager to get over the line in the game and tournament with a win, the PNG boys are eager to express themselves and take each game as a big opportunity of playing against the best in the world.
"Getting exposure, playing more games and testing ourselves against quality opposition would be good. If we can get more exposure we might be able to express ourselves better," PNG skipper Assad Vala said.
They have not been able to bring one upset in the tournament but in case they inflict one over Bangladesh, they can be a famous giant killer to derail Bangladesh’s rather smooth drive.
Match Details
Bangladesh vs Papua New Guinea, Match 6, Group B
Venue: AI Amerat Cricket Ground Oman Cricket, (Ministry Turf 1)
Date & Time: October 21 at 3:30 PM IST and 2:00 PM Local Time
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network
Pitch Report
The pitches at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground have been on the slower side and Bangladesh would like to have similar conditions for one game in the first round of the tournament.
If the surface will aid spin, Bangladesh should run over Papua New Guinea with substantial ease.
Probable XI
Bangladesh
Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (C), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (WK), Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Papua New Guinea
Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Assad Vala (C), Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Simon Atai, Norman Vanua, Kiplin Doriga (WK), Chad Soper, Kabua Morea, Nosaina Pokana
CE Fantasy XI
Mushfiqur Rahim(C), Naim Sheikh, Sese Bau, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Assad Vala, Mahedi Hasan, Charles Amini, Mustafizur Rahman (VC), Chad Soper, Mohammad Saifuddin