Tournament favorite England are set to take on dark horse Bangladesh today (June 8) at Sofia Garden Cardiff. Both beat South Africa in their respective first match and both narrowly lost their respective second match against Pakistan and New Zealand.
Bangladesh beat England in Chittagong (2011) and in Adelaide (2015) in World Cup. Bangladesh never lost any match in global tournament at Sofia Garden. In recent times England proved an impregnable team in ODI cricket with power hitters all the way in batting and high quality all round bowling attack. Bangladesh is a blend of experienced matured senior professionals and bright young talented players.
The match is expected to reach high tension high voltage match. Tiger admirers in plenty are expected to invade the terrace of Sofia garden. Team that holds the composure and play to their full potential would scrap through. The chink in the arm of English team was exposed by Pakistan in the last match of England. Bangladesh announced their do or die dogmatism in their see saw battle against New Zealand.
Wicket at Sofia Garden is expected to be green top and with expected cloud cover may assist pace bowlers. With Jofra Archer and Mark Wood England may unleash a four men pace attack having Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes giving admirable support. Bangladesh has to contain them. Bangladesh will be in a dilemma whether or not bringing in X-factor Rubel in place of Mithun. Rubel was the hero of Adelaide win. In that case batting would become lean. The other option is bringing in Liton in place of Mithun and slotting him in number three just behind Tamim and Soumya. Bangladesh may need taking a major decision whether or not resting Mashrafee for the match. It will need a great hurt in asking Mashrafee to rest for the match. Bangladesh must keep the three bowlers spinning options open with Shakib, Miraj and Mosaddeq try and keep big hitting English middle order quite in the middle overs. Mustafiz,Rubel and Saifuddin have to hunt early exposing the middle order as early as possible.
Root, Morgan, Stokes and Buttler are in prime form and would need Bangladesh bowling tight and fielding sharp in containing them. England plays aggressive cricket targeting 400 runs in every match they play now. Bangladesh should manage chasing 320-330 runs. Anything above that would need any one among Tamim ,Shakib or Mushfique batting through and two large partnership. Mahmudullah and Mosaddeq must have to tee off like they did against South Africa. Tamim is due for a long innings. If he sets in he is the player setting foundation of a match wining score. Shakib and Mushfique need a three figure innings. Bangladesh must run better between the wickets and field must more smartly.
Hope Mashrafee gets his control back, Rubel finds his toe crashing Yorkers, Mustafiz gets his cutters going. Shakib is a smart cookie while bowling. Miraj is always a success against England. Now it is to be seen how rapidly improving Saifuddin reacts in this match. Can Bangladesh take the calculated risk of appearing with four pacers playing a batsman less? Can enigmatic Mashrafee be persuaded to rest in the match letting Rubel play in his place? These puzzles need solving keeping teams interest above personal ego.
Though analysts put England in front in our opinion the match is wide open. Bangladesh has nothing to loose England has lot at stake. Team that holds the composure and perform to their potentials would leave Sofia gardens head high.
Probable Playing XI:
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton K Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riad, Mosaddeq Hossain, Mehedy Miraj ,Moshhamd Saifuddin, Mashrafe bin Murtaza / Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman
England: Jason Roy, Jony Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Tom Curran, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moin Ali, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood
BDST: 1125 HRS, JUN 08, 2019
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