Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
Bangladesh vs West Indies 3rd T20I Preview + Dream11
How unpredictable has this series been? West Indies’ bowlers were good in the first T20I, then awful in the second. Bangladesh’s batsmen were awful in the first, then superb in the second.
What on earth does the decider have in store?
Bangladesh, led by Shakib Al Hasan, leveled the series in Dhaka. The Tigers needed to respond to their second worst ever T20I loss (balls remaining), and that they did, smashing 211. Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib and Mahmudullah were excellent, piling the pressure on the Windies with excellent strokeplay. The bowlers, also led by the superb Shakib, held their nerve, leveraging off the wicket of Shai Hope, which rendered the game as good as over. Will the Tigers clean sweep all series on this Windies tour?
West Indies would have been mighty disappointed with their effort on Thursday. It took them nearly two hours to bowl 20 overs, such was the number of extras, poor deliveries and confusion in regards to their strategy. The Windies, in the first T20I, bowled over 40% of deliveries in the short zone, which was a success. This was then reduced to well below 40% in the second T20I, in which Bangladesh pounced. Can the Windies get things right in the decider?
Key to a Bangladesh win
Shakib Al Hasan was deservedly man of the match on Thursday, but Bangladesh would have been mighty pleased with the efforts of Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah. Das, in particular, showcased the immense talent he has, and has to repeat it here on his way to better consistency at international level. Mahmudullah then supported Shakib well when the boat was rocking at 110/4, and finished the innings beautifully. Can the Tigers get plenty from their top order, including Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, who have been uncharacteristically quiet by their standards?
However, Bangladesh’s efforts with the ball have left a little to be desired at times. Mustafizur Rahman has been taken to the cleaners, particularly by Shai Hope, and needs to step up with early wickets to give Bangladesh a foothold in the game. Spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan will again be key in picking up regular wickets, and this can come from an excellent start in the powerplay. Once again, Shai Hope will be the key wicket.
Key to a West Indies win
The Windies’ bowling at times in the second T20I could have brought a tear to a glass eye. They were all over the place, unable to respond to the pressure put on them by Bangladesh’s batsmen. Keemo Paul was particularly loose, and needs to respond well, so too Sheldon Cottrell, Carlos Brathwaite and Oshane Thomas who were well below their best from the first T20I.
Also, what can Shai Hope deliver? His wicket was just about the end of the Windies’ run chase on Thursday, and while there was more input from other players, his score will be crucial. Other players who must step up are Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer, with the latter not at his best in the LOIs in Bangladesh. Will the Windies put together a cohesive batting display?
Predicted Playing XIs
Bangladesh will likely stick with the same team that won the second T20I. One possible change is Nazmul Islam for Abu Hider
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, 9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10. Abu Hider/Nazmul Islam, 11. Mustafizur Rahman
Sherfane Rutherford gives the Windies a hitting option, but they are likely to stick with the same XI. Unless of course, they make a crazy decision to “rest” Oshane Thomas as they did in the deciding ODI.
West Indies: 1. Evin Lewis, 2. Shai Hope (wk), 3. Nicholas Pooran, 4. Darren Bravo/Sherfane Rutherford, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Rovman Powell, 7. Carlos Brathwaite (c), 8. Keemo Paul, 9. Fabian Allen, 10. Oshane Thomas, 11. Sheldon Cottrell
Dream11
Some on-and-off players in either side makes Dream11 a challenge! Below is my Dream11 side that I feel has the best chance of succeeding.
- Shai Hope gets in over Mushfiqur Rahim. In better batting form.
- Liton Das stepped up two times in a row in the West Indies earlier this year to guide Bangladesh to a series win. Back him to do well again.
- Shimron Hetmyer is due. Soumya Sarkar enjoys the ball coming onto the bat in Dhaka.
- Shakib Al Hasan is my skipper.
- Back Mustafizur Rahman to be in the wickets, and so to Sheldon Cottrell in the later overs.
Stats and Facts
- Bangladesh won the T20I series 2-1 in the West Indies earlier this year.
- Shai Hope has hit 596 in 11 innings this tour.
- West Indies have lost four straight series to Bangladesh in all formats.
Prediction
Should be another exciting clash with plenty of runs.
Will Bangladesh get the job done? I think so. They love Dhaka.
Thanks for reading!
