The sweet memories of ABCD would inspire Bengal tigers when they take on English Lions today in the inaugural match of ICC Champions trophy 2017 at Oval, London. 

Team tigers would be playing against host and one of the tournament favourites England. Bangladesh has sweet memories of beating England in One Day Internationals at Adelaide (Australia), Bristol (England), Chittagong (Bangladesh), and Dhaka (Bangladesh) in the past. Two of these wins at Chittagong (2011) and Adelaide (2015) were in ICC world cup. True England now has a very strong ODI team and at home is a very difficult team to play against., But forgetting the nightmare of the previous practice match at the same venue Bangladesh in recent times have shown enough skills against major oppositions for turning the table on the host.

We have noted that English press has termed team tigers as Banana Skins for the English team at the launching of their mission for the championship. Over the last two meets in ICC events Bangladesh scratched English pride at Chittagong in 2011 and more recently at Adelaide in 2015. Bengal tigers knocked out English Lions that was what Naser Hossain was heard saying after the match when Rubel Hossain wrapped up English Innings to the joy of the Adelaide Oval Crowd shouting for the tigers. Our long-time friend, great personality of Bangladesh cricket was full of joy eye witnessing the historic win. He relayed to the writer from his hospitality box the turning outs of Bengal tigers. Our Aussie friend John Chambers echoed our war cry ‘Joy Bangla’ after the win. Among few other personalities, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, Secretary Nazimuddin Chowdhury, Secretary for the ministry of Forest & Environment Istiaq Ahmed and Director General Power Cell Engr. Mohammad Hossain were with us in a car in Brisbane. We were on training tour of Bangladesh Energy Sector high level policy makers in Queensland on the day. We celebrated the victory with dinner at a Turkish Restaurant on the South Bank of the Brisbane River. Incidentally when Bengal tigers take on English Lions again today at Oval this writer is in Brisbane again. Unfortunately, it will be almost Sehri time here when match finishes. Hope, we can have a grand Iftar tomorrow. 

When the teams lock horns today at Oval they would appear with almost similar experience of recent international matches at Oval. English batting order was almost blown out by South Africans pace battery in the third ODI as did the Indian pacers to Bangladesh batting in the practice match. On green top wickets favouring deceptive lateral movements and in swinging condition under cloud cover this can happen to any sub continental team in first appearance after some time. Brushing that nightmares aside teams would look to start on positive notes. Team winning the match would have great opportunity of moving all the way as the two other teams of the group Australia and New Zealand would be difficult opponents dealing with.

England in recent visit to Bangladesh won the hard contested ODI series 2-1 and two matches test series was drawn 1-1. The team’s composition is almost the same excepting English captain Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales rejoining the Squad. They opted out from Bangladesh tour. The condition is vastly different. But Bangladesh staying over a month there must have acclimatized.

If the sun shines it will be a great match to remember. We are sure Bangladesh under enigmatic Mashrafe Mortaza is not going to throw the towel so easily. The bitter memory of the one off match against India would not haunt them we believe as seniors in the team have seen lot of these enough. 

England has got few quality batsmen. Jason Roy and Alex Hales are tried and tested opening batsmen. Mashrafe and Mustafiz with controlled seam movement and subtle variations may cause early strikes. Bringing in brilliant Root early at the wicket and testing him with new ball would be the key. If any of the three stays longer that may bother Bangladesh. We are uncertain whether Mehedi Miraz would get much response from the wicket. But his accuracy straighter deliveries would cause issues. And there is always the pace and yorkers of Rubel Hossain to test English batting. Captain Morgan is in great touch. Shakib and co must bowl tight at teasing length and line . English middle to late order may be suspect to reverse swing that Rubel may produce and mystery deliveries that Mustafiz is known for. Yet Ben Stokes, Buttler, Bairstow Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes must be shackled with good bowling and tight fielding.

Bangladesh batting has to deal with early seam and swing of English pace attack. Chris Woakes, Liam Plunket and Ben Stokes must be handled with care. Hope Tamim and Soumya can see off new balls as priority before launching counter attacks. The number three position must be carefully reviewed. Sabbir with his suspect foot works against swing bowling may not be risked if Bangladesh loose wicket early. If openers can give good start then Sabbir is okay to build on. But otherwise Bangladesh under plan B should play Mahmudullah at three. Sabbir can be slotted at 6 after Mushfiq and Shakib. We hope Bangladesh handles Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali well.

Fielding will be a key. Bangladesh cannot afford letting batsmen like Root, Morgan or Stokes playing more than one innings dropping catches. The fielding of tigers has been inconsistent. They have taken some blinders but dropped many easier ones off late. Hope team management has ironed this out by now. 

We are not sure about the nature of Oval wicket that will be used. But traditionally it favors seam and if there is cloud cover would swing. Bangladesh may appear with four seamers. But Taskin looked rusty in last match. He must bowl in right channel. Hope Mashrafe rises to the occasion as well. Shakib desperately needs to fire. The heroes of Bangladesh success in recent times against England Miraz and Rubel must be rearing to go. English batsmen have not played Mustafiz yet. Hope Mash uses his tramp card well.

We are all waiting for an exciting Tiger Lion battle for supremacy. Go tiger go.

BDST: 1208 HRS, JUN 1, 2017
SI