T20 World Cup 2021: Strongest Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI against West indies

Bangladesh are in dire straits in the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup. The team, captained by Mahmudullah Riyad, is languishing at fifth in the points table with a disastrous net run rate of -1.655. Sri Lanka and England have beaten them thus far by pretty comprehensive margins in the tournament.

The Tigers are next scheduled to lock horns with West Indies on Friday, October 29 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Earlier this year, Bangladesh beat the Caribbean team 3-0 in a T20I series and they can draw heart from the victory. It remains to be seen if the Tigers make any changes in their eleven.

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

Openers- Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim

Liton Das has blown hot and cold in the World Cup thus far, having scored only 65 runs at an average of 106.55. The Dinajpur-born right-handed batter has got a lot of starts, but hasn’t capitalised on them. In his place, the Tigers may bring back the left-handed Soumya Sarkar into the playing eleven.

Sarkar played the first game against Scotland after which Mohammad Naim replaced him. Naim has scored two half-centuries in the four games he has played thus far. In the previous game against England, Naim got out in the single digits, but he has the skills to make a comeback with the bat.

Middle-Order- Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Nurul Hasan (wk), Afif Hossain Dhrubo 

Mushfiqur Rahim was said to be out of form, but he is Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in the ongoing mega event. The right-handed batter has scored 135 runs at an average of 33.75 with a top score of an unbeaten 57 against Sri Lanka. The Bogra-born needs to carry on in the same vein.

Afif Hossain Dhrubo has shown signs of brilliance, but is yet to show a bit of consistency. Afif can also roll his arms over if need be. Nurul Hasan Sohan is also a clean striker of the cricket ball and needs to perform. Mahmudullah Riyad has also shown that he can deliver in the big stage.

All-rounders- Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan has racked up 122 runs at an average of 24.40. The 34-year-old Shakib is also their leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets at an economy rate of 5.27, the best among his teammates. Mahedi Hasan picked up three wickets against Scotland, but has strained a bit since then. Mahedi also gave an account of his power-hitting skills during the match against Eoin Morgan’s Three Lions.

Bowlers- Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam

Mustafizur Rahim is supposed to be their gun bowler in the World Cup. However, he seems to have entered a mini slump in recent times. After picking up four wickets against Oman, the pacer has gone wicketless in three matches in a row. The Satkhira-born Mustafizur needs to find his rhythm.

Nasum Ahmed was picked in place of Taskin Ahmed and he has done reasonably well until now. The tweaker has picked up three wickets, but needs to take care of his economy rate, which is currently at 9.42. Shoriful Islam replaced Mohammad Saifuddin in the eleven and dismissed Jason Roy.