Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Bangladesh vs West Indies 2nd T20I Preview + Dream11
What was that in Sylhet? It was over before you could blink an eye.
Bangladesh, who entered the first T20I as favourites, showcased the big gap between their best and worst cricket. The home side’s fans had a right to be confident after a big win in the deciding ODI, as well as the series win away in the Caribbean earlier this year, but the Tigers gave themselves a mountain to climb with the all-to-familiar loss of wickets in the powerplay. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan was the only man to step up on Monday, and needs his teammates to follow suit if they are to keep the series alive.
A total of 129 was never going to be enough with Shai Hope in amazing form for West Indies. He smashed the third fastest T20I fifty in history, to consign Bangladesh to their second worst ever defeat in terms of balls remaining. However, the victory was set up by the bowlers, led by Sheldon Cottrell, of whom the Bangladesh batsmen no answer to. Can the Windies seal the series to add some polish to what has been a difficult tour?
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Key to a Bangladesh win
A big reason why Bangladesh have struggled in T20Is is their tendency to lose powerplay wickets. Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim were all dismissed before the end of the sixth over, which left the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah with too much rebuilding to do.
Unsurprisingly, Bangladesh’s run rate was at a high 9.60 in the first five overs. In the end, they finished with a run rate of less than 6.50. To keep the series alive, Bangladesh need to rotate the strike and understand the game situation better to make full use of their boundaries. It was an area they had to get right in the first T20I, and they failed badly.
Also, Bangladesh need to find a way to deal with Shai Hope. You know its a bad day when Mahmudullah is your most economical bowler, with all the remaining bowlers, bar Shakib Al Hasan, going for at least 13 per over. Bangladesh have to find a way to keep Shai Hope quiet in this clash, and if they can, it will boost their chances given the Windies’ reliance on him in recent matches.
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Key to a West Indies win
That man Shai Hope will be key again, but who else can deliver? Nicholas Pooran and Keemo Paul, surprisingly sent up the order, also showed their striking capabilities in the first T20I. With the likes of Evin Lewis, Carlos Brathwaite and Shimron Hetmyer (acquired by RCB for 4.2 crore), the Windies possess a lineup that can provide Hope the support he’s been craving. Will they push Bangladesh on the back foot early, and then dictate terms once again?
As mentioned, though, the first up victory was set up by the bowlers. Sheldon Cottrell and Keemo Paul in particular took advantage of Bangladesh’s all-or-nothing approach, and these two, along with Oshane Thomas, will be key in prizing out early wickets once again. Carlos Brathwaite and Fabian Allen were able to continue building the pressure thanks to a fine start, and the Windies will be after the same again in Dhaka.
Predicted Playing XIs
It remains to be seen whether Bangladesh stick with the same side that was thrashed in the first T20I. The Tigers could introduce Nazmul Islam to take pace off the ball.
Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Soumya Sarkar, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Shakib Al Hasan (c), 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Ariful Haque, 8. Mohammad Saifuddin/Nazmul Islam, 9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10. Abu Hider/Rubel Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman
There is no reason for West Indies to change their winning formula.
West Indies: 1. Evin Lewis, 2. Shai Hope (wk), 3. Darren Bravo, 4. Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Nicholas Pooran, 6. Rovman Powell, 7. Carlos Brathwaite (c), 8. Keemo Paul, 9. Fabian Allen, 10. Sheldon Cottrell, 11. Oshane Thomas
Dream11
Will the Windies bowlers dominate again? Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.
- Bangladesh put on a better fight in the Windies earlier this year after losing the first T20I. Expect Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim to step up in the team’s hour of need.
- Shai Hope is a must, either at C or VC level. Shakib’s all-round capabilities has him as my captain.
- Keemo Paul has been in the runs and wickets in recent times. Oshane Thomas has presented a danger for Bangladesh.
- Will Sheldon Cottrell repeat his heroics from the other day? Big ask, but he will have a say again.
- Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan Miraz had tough outings in the first T20I. Both are capable of bouncing back.
Stats and Facts
- West Indies’ win with 55 balls to spare in the first T20I was their biggest ever in terms of balls remaining.
- Bangladesh beat the Windies in the Caribbean in August after being 1-0 down.
- West Indies have won three of 13 T20Is in 2018. Bangladesh have won four of 14.
Prediction
West Indies would be feeling confident after annihilating Bangladesh in Sylhet. However, Bangladesh still possess a good side at home, and I have a feeling they will bounce back to level the series.
Thanks for reading!
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Bangladesh vs West Indies 2nd T20I Preview + Dream11
