BAN v ENG 1st ODI Preview: Can Bangladesh maintain the unbeaten winning streak at home?

Two of the most vibrant teams in One-Day International cricket at the moment, England and Bangladesh face each other at the latter’s home. It is a big series for the teams as they have a lot to prove. While Bangladesh has been unbeatable at home having already defeated the likes of South Africa, India and Pakistan in recent times their last series against Afghanistan though ended in favor definitely pointed out at the chinks in their armor.

This English team has absolutely changed the way limited-overs cricket was approach in their part of the world. They now symbolize the words like aggression, intent and killer instinct which lacked in their game in the past while playing with the white ball. The Bangladesh series for them is sort of a dress rehearsal, the perfect buildup for the tough tour of India. In the three-match series it will be important to gain an early advantage and both the teams will take field tomorrow in Dhaka with that on mind.

The Bangladesh series for them is sort of a dress rehearsal, the perfect buildup for the tough tour of India. In the three-match series it will be important to gain an early advantage and both the teams will take field tomorrow in Dhaka with that on mind.

Bangladesh:

They have won six consecutive bilateral series’ at home and Bangladesh would definitely want to make it seven. Mashrafe Mortaza and his men would want to further enhance their reputation as monster killers and show the world how good they are while playing in the subcontinent.

There is a major change in the way they approached things, earlier their reliance on individual brilliance to win games brought them odd wins and now, they are a unit, a unit that complements each other, if the batsmen fail to post a big total someday the bowlers set up to tighten things and suffocate the opposition and if the bowlers leak a few extra runs, the batsmen take likewise action to ensure a victory.

Having lost just three matches off the 20 they have played at home since November 2014 Bangladesh is definitely a force to reckon at. They have gradually built some assets in the team- Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah are all match winners on any given day. Though they are without their bowling sensation Mushfiqur Rahim, Shafiul Islam and Taskin Ahmed are ready to step up and deliver.

England:

The English men will be led by a new skipper this time. In absence of Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler will be captaining the side on the tour. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been instrumental in England’s rise as a challenging limited-overs side. He has filled in the role of the finisher quite well

He has filled in the role of the finisher quite well in the team and doesn’t just play the cameos also has the fuel to last longer and change the outcome of the game even if the finishing line is at some distance.

If England have to win in Bangladesh they will need their slower bowlers to come good as well and that makes Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid’s role that much more important. Ali particularly has the experience of having played in Bangladesh before and should be able to help his team understand, assess and adapt to the conditions better.

They have the firepower in the pace department that will test the Bangladeshis Chris Woakes, David Willey and Liam Plunkett are all hungry for wickets and if the batters come underprepared can rip through the batting lineup in quick time. Though the pitches won’t assist them but then again with the level of skill that they possess, they hardly have to rely on that.

Pitch:

There is a very good possibility of rain in the afternoon tomorrow and the pitch which is usually on the slower side will start helping the faster bowlers if that happens. It will be a wise decision to win the toss and bowl first, with the D/L coming in chasing is always the preferable choice.

Probable XI-

Bangladesh:

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mosharraf Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Taskin Ahmed

England:

Jason Roy, James Vince, Ben Duckett, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (C /wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid

Match facts

Venue: Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

Time: 14:30 local (0830 GMT)

Telecast: Star Sports 4

StatAttack:

1. All-rounder Ben Stokes requires 114 runs to complete 1000 ODI runs.

2. England’s spin bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali needs 69 runs to complete 1000 ODI runs.

3. Chris Jordan is 7 wickets short of 50 ODI wickets.

4. Jos Buttler requires 3 catches to complete 100 ODI catches. He is also only one of the two England keepers to have over 100 ODI dismissals.

5. England has played just 2 ODIs at Dhaka. They have won both matches. Moreover, both matches took place in the summer (Feb/March) 2010.

6. Bangladesh has won 14 of their last 20 matches at this venue. Of this, one match ended without a result.

7. Tamim Iqbal needs 69 runs to complete 5000 ODI runs. Once he gets there he will become the first Bangladesh player to do so.

8. Mushfiqur Rahim requires 24 runs to complete 4000 ODI runs.