FANTASY
Follow UsAustralia will take on Bangladesh in Match 34 of the ICC World T20 on Thursday, 28th October 2021 in an afternoon encounter at the Dubai International Stadium. Bangladesh are knocked out of the race for the semi-finals while Australia are still in hunt, primarily competing with South Africa to be the second semi finalists from the group. England have nearly sealed the first spot. Hence, Bangladesh will play for pride and Australia will aim at crucial two points.
Ground Details and Team Combination
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium had been a low scoring ground until New Zealand notched up 175 in Match 32. In response, Scotland also enjoyed the track, scoring 156 runs in response. The pitch was tricky on a few occasions but there were enough shots played through the line.
Overall, Dubai has been host to 21 T20s this year where the pacers have picked 67.7 percent of the wickets. The slower bowlers have played their part too but on the economical front. Their economy has been 6.9 runs per over in comparison to 8.1 by the pacers. doing so at an average of 27.8 and strike-rate of 24.2. The corresponding numbers for the fast bowlers are 8.1, 26.3 and 19.5
Match 34 will only be the third afternoon game in Dubai this tournament. The two games earlier have shown different characteristics. Needless to say, the captain winning the toss would look to bowl first.
Suggested Team
The team we've picked has a good mix of world-class batters and bowlers. But remember, while you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captain Suggestion
Glenn Maxwell has not continued his glorious IPL form in this World Cup but we will suggest you to keep your trust in the maverick batter. He has a strike-rate in excess of 140 against both spin and pace this year. Except Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh do not have much pace up their sleeves. Australia will be relying on Maxwell’s skills to see them through the middle-overs of slow bowling. He will also be crucial with the ball given three left-handers in Bangladesh’s batting line-up.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Maxwell could score 16-24 runs and pick 0-1 wickets in this match
X-Factors
Nasum Ahmed was the highest wicket-taker when Bangladesh defeated Australia 4-1 at home three months ago. This World Cup, the tracks have been slow but they have not generated the same assistance as the tracks in Dhaka provided. Nasum has still been decent, picking a wicket in each of the three games he has played in this tournament. Facing Australia, which has only left-hander in top six, will also help his confidence.
Bangladesh have shown susceptibility against pace bowling at hard lengths. Josh Hazlewood has picked 9 wickets in the T20I powerplays this year, all of which have come through back of a length or short pitched deliveries. He also has an excellent record against left-hand batters and Bangladesh have two in their top-three.
Here are the top-10 picks as per Criclytics projected points-
Player Match-Ups:
Hazlewood’s fondness for left-handers helped him get better of Mohammad Naim twice in the five-match T20I series in Bangladesh, where the right-arm pacer featured in four matches. Naim’s strike-rate is also mediocre in this match-up which speaks for Hazlewood’s dominance.
Probable XIs
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Litton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (c), Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
