T20 World Cup 2021: Strongest Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI against Australia

Bangladesh have had little going right for them since their 84-run win over Papua New Guinea in the Qualifiers of the T20 World Cup 2021. The Super 12 of the tournament has been equivalent to a nightmare for the Mahmudullah Riyad-captained team.

They had chances of winning against Sri Lanka and the West Indies, but they somehow managed to fall behind the finishing line. Their last and final game of the World Cup is against Aaron Finch’s Australia on Thursday, November 4 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Going into the game, the Tigers can take heart from the fact that they beat the Aussies 1-4 in a T20I series earlier this year in Dhaka. However, it’s also pertinent to note that Bangladesh are yet to defeat the Kangaroos in T20 World Cups out of four meetings.

Here is Bangladesh’s predicted Playing XI for AUS vs BAN Match:

Openers- Mohammad Naim, Liton Das

The opening combination has been a major problem for the Tigers in the mega event. They have used three such combos, none of which has worked for them. Mohammad Naim is their leading run-scorer with 157 runs at an average of 26.16, but even he hasn’t fired since his fifty against Sri Lanka.

Liton, on the other hand, has played at an average of 19 and his strike-rate of 95 means that he hasn’t been able to score beyond a run-a-ball. Liton has got many starts, but hasn’t been consistent enough with the bat. Soumya Sarkar is also someone, who can open the batting if the hour of need.

Middle-Order- Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Shamim Hossain

The middle-order has been severely depleted after Shakib Al Hasan got ruled out. Sarkar has scored only 22 runs at an average of 7.33. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah have been the prolific run-scorers for the Tigers in the middle overs. The skipper has notched 153 runs at an average of 30.60.

Mushfiqur scored a fifty against the Lankans, but has strained apart from that. The Bogra-born has scored 143 runs at an average of 23.83. Afif Hossain Dhrubo is an exciting prospect, but he’s yet to fire as well. Shamim Hossain is finding his feet among the big boys and should get another chance.

All-rounders- Mahedi Hasan

Mahedi Hasan has mostly batted lower down the order, but has done reasonably well with the bat. In five innings, the right-handed batter has scored 53 runs at an average of 17.66. Mahedi has also been impressive with the ball in hand. After his three-wicket haul against Scotland, he has carried on with his good form. The off-spinner has picked up eight wickets at a decent economy rate of 6.12.

Bowlers- Nasum Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed

The Tigers rested Mustafizur Rahman from their eleven against the Proteas and it’s not known if he’ll make a comeback for their final match of the tournament. Bangladesh may also give a chance to fast bowler Rubel Hossain, who was drafted in after Mohammad Saifuddin was ruled out due to a back problem.

Rubel is a veteran and it would be unfair on him if he doesn’t get chance even in the inconsequential match. Taskin Ahmed was impressive against South Africa after picking up two wickets. Shoriful Islam hasn’t flattered to deceive either as the left-armer has picked up three wickets at an economy of 5.46.