Today is the last match day of the World Twenty20 Super 10s and the home team takes on Australia in a Group 2 dead rubber at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in the afternoon fixture of the day. The ride so far has been very bumpy for both the sides as they look to end the mega event with something in the bag – a win perhaps.
Bangladesh had to play the first round and they won two matches against Afghanistan and Nepal to qualify for the ongoing stage. To sum up, they have two World T20 wins at least whereas on the other hand, four-time World Cup champions Australia are yet to taste a victory in this edition of the tournament, let alone lift the trophy as this dream continues to be elusive.
The Tigers came into the World T20 on the back of serious defeats in a full series against Sri Lanka and the Asia Cup and although they won four T20 matches on the trot including two warm-ups out of the five they played against the Associate Members, the only defeat to Hong Kong in the last first round game brought them back to square one.
The side looks exhausted and devastated on the field while the off field criticism of their performance only made the air heavy for them. The batting unit, especially the top order has failed to give the kick start throughout the Super 10 while the bowling and fielding seemed ordinary at this level, especially under familiar conditions.
One could tell from their body language that the boys are desperate for a break, which will come after today, but they should also realize it’s a world event and it is their last opportunity to leave a mark in the tournament as the host.
Anamul Haque has been the only brightest prospect in an otherwise fragile batting unit. Anamul, who stands third in the run getters list with 184 runs under his belt have managed good starts in most of the games. But somehow he has failed to register a fifty and it would be the 21-year-old’s final chance today to end the tournament on a high.
Bangladesh are known as a spin-dependent side and Mushfiqur Rahim should consider getting back to basics. Mashrafe bin Mortaza is the most experienced bowler no doubt but his form and fitness have been in question in the past two months. He was limping in the last game on Sunday against Pakistan where he gave away 63 off his four overs and to make matters worse, he now has been ruled out of today’s match due to injury. As a result, the doors have opened for youngster Taskin Ahmed and if things go right, he will make his international debut today.
Al Amin and Ziaur Rahman together gave away 59 runs off five overs, and Mushfiq should opt for one genuine seamer along with Shakib al Hasan, Abdur Razzak, Sohag Gazi and Mahmudullah on these slow and spin friendly wickets.
The Australians will be the most disappointed side after losing two close matches before being routed by India although they showed promises prior to the tournament with successful T20 series against New Zealand and South Africa.
However, George Bailey will look to sweep away the hosts with the armory at his disposal and end the tournament with at least one win.
David Warner, Aaron Finch and Shane Watson have been quiet at the top as except Glen Maxwell who has been hammering the opposition bowlers in the previous matches. If this exciting and explosive Aussie batting unit click together, it will just rub salt into the wounds of some already wounded tigers and their fans.