Given the relative quality and form another white wash of the visiting Zimbabwean team is the only logical conclusion. Anything else will be an upset. Bangladesh is now fixed and firm at number 7 of ODI ranking in a family of 10 ICC elite group.
Zimbabwe is languishing at the bottom. At this moment, they are also looking down the barrel losing the home series against ICC associate emerging Afghanistan. As expected Bangladesh easily whitewashed them without Shakib (only appeared in the first ODI), injured Soumya, Taskin and Rubel.
Despite of some hiccup the first T20 was also won comfortably. There is no reason why business as usual would not lead to another whitewash. But as the name of the game is cricket and T20 is like a gamble nothing must be taken as guaranteed.
Bangladesh can afford giving Kamrul Rabbi the first opportunity of representing the national team either appearing with four pacers of giving Al Amin rest for the match. Anamul and Liton should stay. Both are utility players and need only one innings there to pay back the selectors faith in them.
It is not bowling or fielding rather it is Bangladesh main strength batting that still has some issues. If Soumya was not injured suddenly he would have definitely featured at the top. Anamul replacing in ODI was not given a game.
Later Imrul Kayes filling in Shakib’s slot when he left to stay beside his wife during the birth of the daughter played and played well in two ODI him. Kayes did not play in first T20 though he outscored Tamim in the second and third ODI.
Anamul playing in T20 was unfortunately run out. Imrul Kayes deserves an opportunity. But who to replace? Few would argue about persisting with Liton Das. But he is a quality player having better technique and temperament. He is getting into his groove and must not be discarded now. No other batsmen in top seven can be replaced.
If Kamrul Rabbi is given the cap Bangladesh may think of giving Al Amin rest. We would not suggest replacing leg spinner Jubair. Bangladesh must give him longer run in the national team.
We have seen in recent times Bangladesh ace opener Tamim bats much more cautiously curbing his natural instinct of aggression. He has wealth of experience of leading the batting from the top. But many of his attacking strokes these days go straight to the fielders. He plays less with soft hands and in the gaps and rotate the strikes early on.
Bowlers in T20 formats hardly offer free bees. Hope Tamim would start building his innings with singles if he cannot blast out at the outset. Same applies with Anamul. Imrul in two ODIs he played looked more enterprising and he succeeded.
Gambling Shabbir at number three had mixed success. He is better suited at number six for his aggression and quick running between the wickets. Mushfique or Mahamudullah would be better at number three.
There is no reason for not relying on Liton. He has sound technique and skill. He did not play poorly in first T20. He is just one innings away from proving his quality. But he should find a proper batting slot for him .Bangladesh batting was almost losing its way in the first T2o after some middle order collapse.
Mahmudullah batting lower down and irresistible Mashrafe had to come to rescue. The reason for that was lack of experience in T20 international. Bangladesh hurried and batsmen appeared panicked a little. Very ordinary leg spins of Cremer was made to look like unplayable. 132 was not at all a difficult target.
Bangladesh huffed and puffed in reaching there. Similar mental make up against major opposition can never bring positive dividends.
Batting first and posting a target of 180 plus should be ideal way if Bangladesh win the toss. Anamul and Liton need batting freely to prove the faith in them. We would strongly suggest giving Kamrul Rabbi an opportunity resting Al Amin as he has already proved his potential.
This is an ideal opportunity for debut of a new pacer to see how he responds. No one should harbor the idea of chopping Jubair, Anamul and Liton. Kayes and Arafat Sunny have already proved himself. They will get their turn.
We have to write a para on Zimbabwe performance. They are going through a phase, which Bangladesh experienced in not too distant past. They have potential but just not coming together. Yet their pace bowling and fielding looking better. But batting looks lean and thin.
The visitors responded Bangladesh call in sending their team ignoring the perceived security threat. They are tested friend of Bangladesh Cricket. Bangladesh must also not forget to reciprocate their gesture as and when required.
Our team for today’s T20
Tamim Iqbal , Anamul Huq , Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahamudullah Riad , Liton K Das Shabbir Rahman , Nasir Hossain, Mashrafee Bin Murtaza , Al Amin Hossain /Kamrul Rabbi , Jubair Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman.
We have to keep in mind that Bangladesh is still struggling for finding its feet in T20 international. It has yet to get tuned to the style. Even T20 requires sensible batting. The sooner our players adapt the better.
West Indies and Sri Lanka are top dogs in T20 format. BCB may try to arrange a tri nation tournament or bilateral series if possible in December if these two teams are free.
BDST: 0825 HRS, NOV 15, 2015
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