FANTASY
Follow UsAfter suffering defeats in the first two games of the Super 12s in this edition of the World Cup, West Indies will lock horns with Bangladesh in an afternoon encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. In the 12 games played thus far between the two sides, West Indies are marginally ahead by winning six games, while the Tigers have won five, and one match ended in no result.
The defending champions endured a dismal performance with the bat and will look to make amends in this must-win clash. On the other hand, Bangladesh need to work on their batting in the powerplay and the standard of their fielding in this competition.
Head to Head comparison
Overall Matches - 12 | WI - 6 wins | BAN - 5 wins | NR - 1
Last five matches - BAN - 3 wins | WI - 2 wins
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 Sharjah Cricket Stadium is around the 146-run mark. With plenty of cricket being played at the venue courtesy of the second half of the Indian Premier League, the surface will be sluggish in nature. The pace bowlers have picked 127 wickets in 38 innings at a wicket per inning ratio of 3.3 compared to 105 wickets at a wicket per inning ratio of 2.8 for the spinners.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
Shakib Al Hasan
With 11 wickets in five innings, Shakib Al Hasan is the leading wicket-taker in this edition of the tournament. The left-arm spinner is one of the mainstays in the playing XI and lends a lot of stability to the side. With 1885 runs in 92 innings at a strike rate of 120.83, Shakib has been a vital cog in the batting unit of the side in this form of the game. His exploits in the ongoing World Cup also helped him become the number one ranked all-rounder in T20Is. The 34-year old will look to bring in his wealth of experience playing in these conditions after being part of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the recently concluded IPL and help the Tigers get off the mark in the points table.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Shakib to score 15-23 runs and pick up 2-3 wickets in this match.
X-FACTORS
Evin Lewis
A quickfire 56 off 35 deliveries with three boundaries and six massive hits over the fence against South Africa in the last game, Evin Lewis will be the player to watch out for in this must-win encounter. The southpaw is one of the most destructive players in the batting unit of the Windies and has scored 1380 runs in 46 innings at a strike rate of 157.89. The 29-year old was part of the Rajasthan Royals in this edition of the league and gave the team a flying start in the powerplay. With Lendl Simmons struggling for runs, the team management will rely on Lewis to take advantage of the field restrictions.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Lewis to score 22-32 runs in this match.
Mushfiqur Rahim
One of the most experienced players in the Bangladesh batting unit, Mushfiqur Rahim, will be one of the X factors heading into tomorrow's high-voltage clash. The right-handed batter has been in sublime form and scored his maiden T20 World Cup half-century off 37 deliveries to power the side to a huge first-innings total of 171 runs. In the last encounter against England, he was the top scorer for the side with 29 runs off 30 deliveries studded with three boundaries. With the batting order struggling at the top, the onus of the side will rely heavily on Mushfiqur to guide them in the middle overs.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Mushfiqur to score 22-32 runs in this match.
Kieron Pollard
The skipper of the West Indies outfit will need to produce a miracle to help the side progress to the semi-finals of the competition. The 34-year old scored 26 off 20 deliveries with two boundaries and one six to give the side much-needed impetus in the back end of the innings. With 1410 runs in 75 innings at a strike rate of 136.49, Pollard is one of the most feared batters in this form of the game.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Pollard to score 15-23 runs and pick up 0-1 wickets in this match.