DHAKA: Host Bengal Tigers meet visiting English Lions in what many predicts as a well matched even ODI series from today (Friday). The first match kicks off in a few hours from now.

The teams are evenly matched having good aggressive talented batsmen, quality all-round bowling attack and recent successes to fall back upon. Some leading players like Alex Hales, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan are missing from English Squad for different reasons. So is majestic Mustafiz not available for the home team due to shoulder injury.

But whoever are available can make a mouthwatering contest between the two teams that hardly play bi-lateral series due to the lopsided structuring of FTP.

Six long years have whistled past since Bangladesh played last ODI series against England in England in 2010. The lone victory was at Bristol. After that, two teams only played in the World Cup in Chittagong in 2011 and at Adelaide in 2015. Both the matches were won in thrilling encounters by Bangladesh. So in the head to head contest balance tilts a bit towards Mashrafe squad.

Being home series, Bangladesh has slightly nose in front. They have not lost any ODI series at home since 2014. The team recorded 16 wins out of 20 played at home since end 2014 against mighty Pakistan, India and South Africa.

The world has witnessed the emergence of few quality players like Mustafiz, Sabbir, Soumya Sarkar and further maturing of Tamim, Shakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah. The return of charismatic Mashrafe at the helm of affairs has changed the chemistry and body language of the team. Now tigers play to win and on their days look unbeatable.

England was at its all time low after failing to cross preliminary round of ICC World Cup 2015 being knocked out by Bangladesh. Infusion of several new players, however, changed the team. Roy, Hales, Root, Buttler, Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Morgan, Woakes, Stokes turned them around.
 

Ben Duckett as fresher will have a lot to prove his inclusion being in the shoes of a formidable player like Joe Root. His prolific English season speaks very high of him. Thoroughly professional England overwhelmed Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Though Alex Hales and Morgan opted out for security concerns and Root, Broad and Anderson are not in the team for different reasons, English team is a settled unit having quality aggressive batsmen, good penetrative pace attack, quality spinners and smart fielding unit. Some players have skill and techniques of playing spin on turning tracks. The only practice match prior to the commencement of the series witnessed the battle-sharp batting strength of the Englishmen. The team is ready to prove a few points.

Bangladesh has a major issue of opening partnership. Talented youngster Soumya Sarkar is struggling in finding his feet for a while. A blistering century by Tamim’s test opening mate Imrul Kayes is a right time reminder to BCB selectors to get him in. 

Soumya is likely to be rested. Tamim is in prolific form. A brilliant century against Afghanistan and man of the series award would encourage him keep going for more. He is not much behind achieving 5000 runs milestone in ODI as first ever Bangladesh player.

Sabbir got back his rhyme after a bright innings in the last match against Afghanistan. He should continue batting at three. Ace all-rounder Shakib had a good all-round Afghanistan series. He sparkled with bat and ball. Mushfique did well to sharpen his blade in the lone warm up match. He has to play well in his important number 5 position linking the top order with quality late middle order. Mahmudullah remains firm and fluid in his role. The emergence of young Mosaddek is the find of the Afghan series. Bangladesh can afford the luxury to keep quality player Nasir Hossain warming the bench.

We are unsure about fitness of Captain Mashrafe. It may not be a risk well judged if he plays half fit though there is no question of his bowling ability and unparalleled leadership quality. If he plays he can have Taskin and Shafiul sharing the pace attack with him. I do not think Al Amin will be given go ahead in the opening match. Spinner Mosharraf Rubel is the spinning partner of Shakib. Mosaddek bowled well in Afghanistan series.

The first match is very important. Team winning will make it difficult for the opponent getting back in the series. We hope captain is given freedom to lead the team on the ground and not much interfered.

We are sure with two evenly balanced sides face to face full house SBNCS will witness a fascinating dog fight.

Probable Bangladesh Team: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mosharraf Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Taskin Ahmed

Probable England Team: Jason Roy, James Vince, Ben Duckett, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (C/wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid

BDST: 0959 HRS, OCT 07, 2016
SR