FANTASY
Follow UsEngland will take on Bangladesh in Match 20 of the ICC T20 World Cup on Wednesday, 27th October, in an afternoon encounter at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. While England will enter this much-awaited clash, riding high on confidence after their thumping six-wicket win against West Indies, Bangladesh will look to make amends after their dismal performance in the field against Sri Lanka in the opening game of the Super 12s. It promises to be a riveting contest as the two sides will face each other for the first time in the shortest format of the game.
SUGGESTED TEAM
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.
GROUND DETAILS
The average first innings total at the Zayed Cricket Stadium is around the 150-run mark. In the 251 innings played thus far at this venue, the pace bowlers have picked up 914 wickets at an average of 23.9 compared to 493 wickets at an average of 26.2 by the spinners. The fast bowlers have dominated proceedings at this venue and picked up 65 percent of the wickets with an average wicket per inning ratio of 3.6.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
Shakib Al Hasan
One of the mainstays in the playing XI of the Bangladesh side, Shakib Al Hasan, will be one of the key players for the team heading into this must-win clash. The left-arm spinner picked up two crucial wickets in an over in the last match against Sri Lanka to derail the middle order of the side. Plying his trade for various franchises, Shakib has a wealth of experience in this form of the game and has scored 1881 runs in 91 innings at a strike rate of 121.12. Coming in at number three, the southpaw has been in sublime form with the bat and will be a vital cog in the batting unit of the side.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Shakib to score 14-22 runs and pick up 3-4 wickets in this match.
X-FACTORS
Jos Buttler
One of the most destructive players in this form of the game, Jos Buttler, anchored the innings with a 22-ball 24 on a sluggish wicket against West Indies in Dubai. Along with Jason Roy, the wicket-keeper batter will look to take the attack to the opposition in the field restrictions. The 31-year old has a strike rate of 139.33 in this format and has scored 1895 runs in 75 innings. With Eoin Morgan struggling for runs and Dawid Malan not being able to score quickly, Buttler's attacking style of play will be the crucial player for the side in this match.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Buttler to score 22-32 runs in this match.
Mushfiqur Rahim
A maiden half-century in the T20 World Cup, Mushfiqur Rahim will be X factor as far as Bangladesh are concerned. The right-handed batter smashed 57 off 37 deliveries studded with five boundaries and two sixes to propel the side to a massive first innings total of 171 runs. With 1427 runs in 86 innings at a strike rate of 116.20, the onus of the side in the middle overs will rely heavily on Mushfiqur in this crucial encounter.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Mushfiqur to score 19-29 runs in this match.
Moeen Ali
A clinical bowling performance in the first match against the Windies, Moeen Ali will play a vital role for the side with his all-around abilities. Moeen opened the bowling for England and picked up two crucial wickets in his four-over spell to dent the formidable West Indian batting unit. While he failed to get going with the bat and was dismissed early, the 34-year old has been in sublime form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings and will be keen to showcase his prowess in the national colours.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Moeen to score 19-29 runs and pick up 0-1 wickets in this match.
