Bangladesh will look to add another memorable chapter to their cricketing history when they take the field against India in the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2017 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham. They have already achieved the most glorious feat to date by reaching the last four of an ICC limited overs multi-nation tournament. A fascinating fact is that the same unit failed to qualify and gain a place in main competition since the 2006 edition.
Overcoming the defending champions won’t be an easy task for the Bangla Tigers. But, they surely have no reason to be intimidated by the upcoming challenge. They will enter the contest with the unpredictability tag and surely promise to spring a surprise although the odds of a Bangladesh win seem very low.
Talking points:
It’s a fact that Bangladesh qualified with the help of a couple of external factors. Many people feel, had the rains not spoiled the party for Australia, the Tigers would have never made it to the semis. But, to speak in that fashion would be unfair to the hard work Mashrafe and his men have put in to reach this level.
As much as rains played its part, they reached the semis because they beat a stronger New Zealand side to extend their stay in the UK. So, the confidence will obviously be high in the Bangladesh camp.
On the flip side, Bangladesh has been slightly pretentious about their strengths and weakness. Their pace attack isn’t at the top of their game. Taskin has played only one game. Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman have played all the league game but have nothing significant to show in the wickets column.
Their batting has somehow managed to save their face. They were largely dependent on Tamim Iqbal in the first two games against England and Australia but gained some respite after Shakib-al-Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad took their team home against New Zealand.
Against India, they need to be more cautious and try to stay away from being too dependent on star names.
Recent form:
Bangladesh’s recent form is great but that won’t matter considering the nature of the upcoming match. In the Champions Trophy, they have all three results with them – A loss in the opening game against England, A ‘no result; against Australia and a win against New Zealand. Before, coming to the tournament, they had back to back wins to their kitty from the Tri-series.
Last five matches:
W, NR, L, W, W
Predicted XI:
They won’t be any changes happening. The unit has seen only changes in the starting XI. The under-performing Imrul Kayes and off-spinner Mehedi Miraz have been the only two omissions which have taken place. They made way for Taskin Ahmed and Mosaddek Hossain and the duo has been a huge bonus. So, it is very unlikely Mashrafe would make them sit out. Opener Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman’s form is also a problem but Bangladesh doesn’t have any better options currently.
Here is the XI:
Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman.