Hot and cold Bangladesh locks horns with black caps today on a turning track of Chennai in a desperate bid to keep their CWC 2015 dreams alive.
They started their mission 2023 with a commanding win against Afghanistan at Dharamshala. But at the same venue in few days later they were rocked by former champions England. Now they will be up against black caps now at its sizzling best with 2 big wins against England and Netherlands. There are few beliefs that the turning track of Chidambaram stadium may favor Bangladesh spinners. But at the same time Bengal Tigers in the recent past strolled against Black Cap leg spinner Ish Sodhi. They also have Mitchel Santner in top form.
Bangladesh is batting poorly not having a firm and fixed batting order. But the bottom line is that another loss today may very well put paid to Bangladesh mission 2023. It will be extremely difficult for Bangladesh turning around against strong India, South Africa, Pakistan, and Australia. We are not sure that Bangladesh can even beat Sri Lanka.
The struggle of Bangladesh top order batting or batting as a whole evidence the poor vision of team management frustrating Tamim Iqbal creating uncomfortable situation for him in the team. None appears anywhere near his skills and temperament at the top order not to speak of his wealth of talent. Bangladesh keeps on experimenting with the batting order of Nazmul Shanto, Mehedi Miraj and Tawhid Hridoy. None of the other 9 teams are doing that. It is not a tournament of back street boys; it is World Cup a global event. A national team must not be managed by the whims and sweet wills of few.
The major challenge is finding a performing opening partnership. Tanzid Tamim is raw. He may have talents but that does not let him deliver consistently against top bowlers of the world bowling with the new ball. Thanks to Almighty that Litton has recovered his form. Having left Tamim Iqbal at home and having no opener in the reserve Bangladesh has two options either letting Mehedi Miraj used as stop gap solution or pushing Nazmul Shanto up at the opening spot. Depending on the situation then Mehedi Miraj or Shakib can bat at number three. Given that situation Mushfique, Mahmudullah and Tawhid Hridoy can bat at four, five and six. If Mehedi bat at seven Bangladesh can accommodate both Nasum Ahmed and Shekh Mahedi playing at least today pruning one pacer on the spin friendly Chennai wicket. Bangladesh can have Mustafizur Rahman and either Hasan Mahmood or Tanzim Shakib playing today as Taskin and Shoriful are struggling a bit finding their form so far. Having two pacers and as many as four spinners will give Shakib greater options to strangle Black caps. But Bangladesh must bat well and score or chase 280-300.
The toss will be a vital factor at Chennai. There may be dew coming at day night match. Bangladesh so far played both their matches at daytime. If dew comes spinners cannot grip wet balls properly bowling second. Hence toss and bowl is the option today. But no one has control over nature.
Our Suggested Playing XI Today:
Litton Kumar Das, Mehedy Hasan Miraj, Nazmul Hasan Shanto , Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riad, Tawhid Hridoy , Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed , Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful/ Hasan Mahmood.
A win today will keep Bangladesh very much in the hunt. A loss will further dimmish the dreams.
BDST: 0833 HRS, OCT 13, 2023
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