Bangladesh vs Windies, 3rd T20I, Preview: A see-saw contest awaits in the series decider in Dhaka

Shakib Al Hasan was the difference between both the sides in the 2nd T20I and the team will once again look up to their captain to win the series.

Published - 21 Dec 2018, 19:25 IST | Updated - 21 Dec 2018, 19:25 IST

2 Min Read

Bangladesh might have dominated the Windies in the Tests and the ODIs. But, it isn’t the same case in the shortest format of the game. The World T20 champions will not give up on their forte as easily and will look to give the hosts a good run for their money. Both the teams have won one game each in the three-match T20I series thus far in two one-sided contests.

It all boils down to the last game of the series now and the winner will take home the series trophy. At this juncture, there isn’t much that really differentiates both the sides. There was some sheer domination in the games that they have won respectively. However, the series decider could be a hard-fought and a nerve-wracking one.

Team Combinations

Bangladesh

Bangladesh, yet again, will bank on their skipper Shakib Al Hasan who was terrific the other night. They will want their batsmen to repeat the heroics from the 2nd T20I. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das will be critical for the home team at the top of the order. With a lot of left-handers in the opposition, Mehidy Hasan and Mahmadullah will have important roles to play with the ball.

The performance of the pacers wasn’t as satisfactory and they will want to step up with a good performance for the upcoming game. Nazmul Islam might be replacing Mohammad Saifuddin in the XI as the batsmen seem to be enjoying pace on to the bat. Being the local boy, Islam will have a good idea about the conditions.

Predicted XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Ariful Haque, Nazmul Islam, Mehidy Hasan, Abu Hider Rony, Mustafizur Rahman.

Windies

The track at Dhaka presented a good bit of assistance for the spinners during the 2nd T20I. Hence, Fabian Allen might replace Darren Bravo in the playing XI. Keemo Paul has shown what he is capable of with the willow in hand. He can take the place of the left-hander in the batting order.

The rest of the line-up will be similar to what it was for the earlier game. The Windies pacers should focus on a few variations and try to bowl the slower deliveries more often as pace on the ball makes it easier to dispense.

Predicted XI: Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Fabian Allen, Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Focus will be on

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

The Bangladesh skipper played to his complete potential in the 2nd T20I. Apart from a brisk 42 off 26 balls with the bat in hand, he went on to pick up a five-wicket haul breaking the back of the opposition. The hosts will be expecting a repeat of such performance so that they can easily rule the opposition.

Shai Hope (Windies)

In both the games so far, Shai Hope has been the top performer for the visitors. He gets the side off to some aggressive starts and plays some risk-free cricket. However, he has failed to convert these terrific starts into something substantial. The series decider is the perfect platform for him to take his game to the next level.