DHAKA: Off course the challenges are very steep. Off course resurging Sri Lanka would be more difficult opponents at home, formidable India even without many key players would be still very strong.
But there are no reasons team tigers should not bounce back even without services of their injured captain and star all rounder Shakib. Premadasa wicket is expected to have pace and bounce.
Bangladesh for the T20 series is well equipped with quality pacers. Legendary Country Walsh in his new assignment as interim coach may encourage can definitely encourage his young pace battery doing wonders. If Bangladeshi pacers can bowl consistently on line and length any three or even four of the Mustafiz, Rubel, Taskin, Abu Jayed and Abu Hider can create huge impacts in the tournament. Bangladesh needs only a good start to rock and roll.
Tamim played few good innings in PCL, Soumya showed sign of getting back into his belligerent best. I think not selecting Anamul in the squad is a mistake. Kayes is not a good choice for T20. High quality in form Batsman Mominul could be ideal choice for solving Tigers issue of finding a permanent number three batsman in all formats.
Absence of Shakib would put additional responsibility on Tamim, Mahmudullah and Mushfiq in putting their best. Kayes and Sabbir have to justify the faith on them by the selectors. I would like to play Mehedi Miraj higher in the order leaving Ariful Haq in the lower middle order as finisher. Sohan can be slotted as wicket keeper batsman letting Mushfiq concentrate on his batting.
Bangladesh should not find a huge problem scoring 170-180 runs if they bat first as Premadasa wicket is expected to have balls coming easily at the bat. Bangladesh attack should defend scores of 170-180 or chase the same if they bat second.
Even after below per performance of team tigers in recent time I have every confidence that the team can turn around and start tweeting again. Only they need to believe in their ability and must not be overawed by the presence of all conquering India and better equipped Sri Lanka with their former mentor Chandika Hathurusinghe in the opposition camp.
My team for the first Tiger Match:
Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehedi Miraz, Ariful Huq, Nurul Hasan, Mustafiz, Rubel and Abu Hider
BDST: 0943 HRS, MAR 2, 2018
SI
