Having lost the low scoring first match by 3 wickets day before yesterday Bangladesh appears in do or die match today at SBNCS against world champions England.
This England team possess formidable all round bowling attack. Archer and Wood bowls at express pace, Oakes seams and swings prodigiously, Adil Rashid and Moin Ali are crafty spinners. Cannot say Bangladesh batted well as a team in the first match. Litton failed to fire, Tamim looked rusty, Mushfique and Shakib did not apply.
Only Shanto and Riad looked comfortable. But both got out at crucial stage. Accept that wicket had pace, bounce and turn. But 209 is not a match winning score. Yet Bangladesh remained over most of the match in the contest for brilliant bowling and smarter fielding. England could survive Bangladesh challenge for an exceptional match defining unbeaten innings of 113 by otherwise flamboyant David Malan.
If England win tomorrow, they will wrap up the series and a series whitewash will loom large for Bangladesh. England will definitely not make similar mistakes of the first match. Bangladesh must assess options and bat much better tomorrow. Tasks are well cut out for team tigers.
Bangladesh may consider playing Ebadat resting Mustafiz for taking advantage of pace of the SBNCS. Otherwise, Bangladesh attack looked well suited. This English batting will continue struggling against Shakib, Miraj and Taijul. Taskin bowled brilliantly. Tamim handled his resources well. He could have bowled out Taskin in the 49th over as miracle could happen.
We are not sure whether it will be alright giving inform Tawhid Hridoy an opportunity. Bangladeshi batsmen in general struggled against both pace and spin. Most could not read Adil Rashid. How can they Bangladesh do not have any quality leg spinner. Neither they have a vision for one.
Setting sporting wicket at SBNCS is a positive move. At least Bangladeshis can assess their ability playing on such a surface. Groundsman has done a good job. England may rest one of their front line pacer bringing in talented all-rounder Sam Kuran (The most expensive IPL commodity). That will not change the balance of the attack.
Bangladesh will have no option but batting well and score at least 250 in the match for a chance of winning. All days are not the same. England will definitely come up with Plan B. Bangladesh must be ready for it.
BDST: 1803 HRS, MAR 02, 2023
SMS
