FANTASY
Follow UsAfter losing their first-ever T20 International (T20I) against Bangladesh, Australia look to bounce back in the second game at the Shere Bangla Stadium, Mirpur. Australia were bowled out for just 108 in pursuit of 132 in the first game as their batting line-up was dismantled by the spinners.
This is the first time the two teams are playing in a bilateral series. Australia have played Bangladesh four times in T20 World Cups and have tasted success on all four occasions.
T20I head-to-head
Overall: Matches 5 | Australia 4 wins | Bangladesh 1 win
Suggested team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you to create the ideal fantasy XI.
Ground details and team combination
Six of the 10 wickets Bangladesh picked up in the first match were by the spinners and it could be the case once again in the 2nd game as well. However, in T20Is since 2020 at the Shere Bangla Stadium, close to 60% of the wickets have been picked up by the pacers and have done so at a better balls per wicket (17.1) and runs per wicket (21.4) ratio compared to the spinners, whose corresponding numbers are 20.8 and 23.3 respectively.
Given the dominance of Bangladesh spinners in the first game, it will not be surprising to see part-time bowlers like Ashton Turner roll his arm over for an over or two.
Captain
He can bat in the top three and also pick up a few handy wickets. Shakib Al Hasan has been Bangladesh’s go-to man for years now and is an integral cog in their line-up. He scored 36 off 33 in the previous match under tricky conditions and also got the wicket of Moises Henriques, finishing with 1 for 24 from his four overs. Shakib may not have played many games for Bangladesh in the last couple of years, but with the T20 World Cup around the corner, his team will look to him to produce the all-round performance he delivered at the 2019 World Cup.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Shakib will fetch 17 to 52 points in this match
X-Factors
Mitchell Marsh has been in the form of his life over the last couple of months. He notched up three fifties against West Indies in the Caribbean and has started off this series with a run-a-ball 45, but got no support from the other end whatsoever. Only Aaron Finch (595) has scored more runs than Marsh (414) in T20Is for Australia since 2020. He has not done too badly with the ball either, having picked up nine wickets at 10.1 from six innings, striking every once every 9.3 deliveries. However, he did not bowl in the first game, which is something Matthew Wade will reconsider in this game.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Marsh will fetch 70 to 104 points in this match
Before the first T20I, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed had picked up just two wickets from four innings. But he managed to snare his best figures in T20 cricket (4 for 19) thanks to some purchase he got off the track. While the Australia batsmen will be prepared this time around, Nasum could once again pose a threat to the opposition line-up, who do not have players like Finch, David Warner and Steven Smith, who are excellent players of spin.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Nasum will fetch 56 to 84 points in this match
A genuine wicket-taker, Adam Zampa bowled brilliantly in the first T20I and picked up the wicket of Mohammad Naim for 30. Since 2020, Zampa has been one of Australia’s prolific bowlers, having picked up 20 wickets at 28.7. With plenty of spin on offer, Zampa will be expected to play a pivotal role once again. Wade could consider giving Zampa more than one over in the powerplay as well.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Zampa will fetch 30 to 58 points in this match
