DHAKA: Bangladesh is set to face Australia in a do or die match in the World T20 campaign on Monday (March 21) without the services of pacer Taskin Ahmed and left-arm orthodox spinner Arafat Sunny as the duo was suspended by ICC from bowling in international matches.
On the other hand, following their loss to New Zealand at wintry Dharamsala, Australia hope to thaw their campaign in the warmer surrounds of Bangalore.
Bangladesh have never beaten Australia in the format. Nevertheless, the World T20 is a fleeting experience for Australia. Coach Darren Lehmann said, “It’s so quick you haven’t got too much time to think about it”.
One false move will mean virtual elimination of the reigning ODI champions inside two games.
Continuity has long been a problem for Australia in T20, and the New Zealand defeat raised the prospect of still more shuffling.
This time, however, Tigers have brighter chance to succeed as Smith’s men have been almost universally blind-sided by the tournament’s preponderance of slow and turning surfaces and Bangladesh will not be short of slow men.
Team balance is also an issue with Australia, with Aaron Finch on the fringes of the team and a second spinner in Ashton Agar who was seemingly picked without much expectation from the selectors that he would be needed, reports espncricinfo.
A little stability would not go astray, given how the Australians must now try to build momentum over the next two games before they meet India in the final qualifying match.
Bangladesh have meanwhile been waylaid by the banning of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny for illegal bowling actions.
Aside from the trauma of being ejected from the competition, they have presented the coach Chandika Hathurusingha with his own selection conundrum about who comes in.
The batting all-rounder Shuvagata Hom and left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib are their likely replacements, the latter chosen for the first time.
The fact both men bowl spin will be a reminder of what this tournament is calling for: by the end of Monday night Australia and Bangladesh will know whether they stand a chance of finding the right combination for it.
BDST: 1116 HRS, MAR 21, 2016
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