Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
A bumper day to open the first ever standalone Women’s World T20 spectacle is headlined by the hosts West Indies taking on the ever-improving Bangladesh.
Who will take out the third game of the opening day?
They say that hosting a tournament can create some pressure thanks to the hope of lifting major silverware in front of your own fans. But, the West Indies are defending World T20 champions for good reason, playing with the level of fearlessness required to be successful at this level. Their home record in T20Is is remarkable, losing just one series out of 12, way back in 2010 against Australia. Will they leave a marker in their opening match?
Bangladesh also have reason to smile. 2018 has been a special year, winning their maiden Asia Cup Title (including beating India twice), as well as flying through the WWT20 Qualifiers unbeaten. Recent form has been a little sketchy, but this Bangladesh side has shown that if they are taken lightly, they can spring a surprise. Can they spoil the party for the hosts on the opening night?
Key to a West Indies win
West Indies have played just eight T20Is in 2018, so their ability get stuck in right away will be key.
The skipper Stafanie Taylor will again be key to their success, with her ranking of second among T20I batters testament to her fantastic talent. Her 2,662 T20I runs have come at a fantastic average of 36.97, and the Windies would love a repeat of the 2016 edition from Taylor where she finished with the most runs, scoring 246 of them. Can she lead from the front, well supported by the likes of the in-form Hayley Mathews and hard-hitting Deandra Dottin?
Also, Taylor, Mathews and Dottin will be key with the ball for the Windies, who will be looking to put their resources and quality to good use against a Bangladesh side improving steadily with the bat. Add Anisa Mohammed to the fray, and the Windies have a group of bowlers capable of putting the squeeze on Bangladesh. Will they execute well?
Key to a Bangladesh win
Keeping the hosts’ batters quiet will be of huge importance for Bangladesh, given their tendency to struggle at times with the bat. Wristspinners Rumana Ahmed and Fahima Khatun will be key in limiting the scoring of the Windies, and they have the ability to do so. In the World T20 Qualifier, these two combined for 19 wickets in five games at an extraordinary average of five. In the Asia Cup earlier this year, they were also threatening, with Rumana taking 10 out of 12 combined, at an economy rate of just over four.
However, can Bangladesh hold their own with the bat? Their magnificent efforts in their Asia Cup triumph paved the way for success, but they will have to repeat it against the defending champions in their own backyard, which is no easy task. There have been some low scores for Bangladesh in 2018, but if the likes of Shamima Sultana and Ayasha Rahman can hold the innings well, Bangladesh can look forward to a competitive total.
Possible XIs
West Indies: 1. Hayley Matthews, 2. Deandra Dotton, 3. Stafanie Taylor, 4. Shemaine Campbelle, 5. Natasha McLean, 6. Kycia Knight (wk), 7. Merissa Aguilleira, 8. Shamilia Connell, 9. Afy Fletcher, 10. Shakera Selman, 11. Anisa Mohammed
Bangladesh: 1. Shamima Sultana (wk), 2. Ayasha Rahman, 3. Fargana Hoque, 4. Salma Khatun (c), 5. Rumana Ahmed, 6. Sanjida Islam, 7. Fahima Khatun, 8. Jahanara Alam, 9. Lata Mondal, 10. Khadija Tul Kubra/Ritu Moni, 11. Sharmin Akhter/Panna Ghosh
Stats and Facts
- West Indies are the defending World T20 champions, lifting the crown along with the men’s team in India in 2016.
- Bangladesh won their first ever Asia Cup crown earlier in 2018, but have never won a game at a World T20 before.
- No woman has taken more T20I wickets than offspinner Anisa Mohammed
Prediction
I believe West Indies will start the tournament well, beating Bangladesh on the back of a good all-round performance in front of their fans.
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