England in 'uncharted territory' as they take on Bangladesh

by IANS |

Abu Dhabi, Oct 27 (IANS) The Eoin Morgan-led England will tread with caution when they take on Bangladesh in their ICC T20 World Cup 'Super 12' game at the Zayed Cricket Stadium here later on Wednesday, given that the two sides have never played a T20I game.

England, who are the No.1 ranked T20I side, thus come into their match against Bangladesh with some wariness, careful not to underestimate the challenge of a side that has beaten the likes of Australia and New Zealand on home soil recently.

The teams have had contrasting runs so far in the tournament. While England crushed West Indies, reducing the defending champions to 55 in their opening match, Bangladesh were rattled by Scotland before they made it to the 'Super 12', where they lost their first match to Sri Lanka despite posting a strong total. Another loss will make their hopes of progressing to the next round difficult.

Bangladesh coach, Ottis Gibson, who has worked with England a few years ago and is familiar with their approach, will use that knowledge to guide his side in the crucial match. "The message is not to panic, understand that you are going to get hit," he said. "You might bowl a good ball and get hit because that's their mentality, but they also give you opportunities to take wickets."

England could choose to go with an unchanged side. With Mark Wood fit and available for selection, England might be tempted to include his express pace instead of a batter. England's spin-bowling all-rounder, Moeen Ali, who was 'Player of the Match' against th West Indies for his 2/17, is coming off a successful Indian Premier League and is high on confidence. He could be effective against Bangladesh's left-handers.

For Bangladesh, left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman has taken six wickets in the tournament so far, and while he went wicketless in the last couple of games and has struggled with his lines at times, he remains a threat with his variations.

England batter Jos Buttler said, "We know the challenges we'll face. We've played against them lots in 50-over cricket. We know they are a dangerous side. They have got a lot of experience in T20 cricket as well, some very good players playing quite a specific style that is quite unique to them. We focus obviously and try to plan for the opposition but at the same time we are focusing on ourselves, trying to get our level of intensity to the place it needs to be."

Bangladesh coach Gibson said, "We know that England are a very powerful line-up, and we know that we have to be on our A game if we're going to really challenge them and ultimately win the game. We know that they're going to come out hard, but we know that they also give you chances."

Bangladesh probable XI: Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (capt), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

England probable XI: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Tymal Mills.

Latest News
IPL 2024: 'Sai Kishore did not expect I will go after him off the first ball', says CSK's Shivam Dube Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:55 PM
Talks with Ukrainian FM focused on conflict with Russia, says EAM Jaishankar Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:49 PM
Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:42 PM
Chinese military offers help to Pakistan to curb terrorism Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:39 PM
Kangana Ranaut holds roadshow in Mandi, responds to Supriya Shrinate's 'bhao' jibe Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:36 PM
CPI tries to revive itself by launching ex-IPS officer in UP's Faizabad Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:29 PM
Mandya in Karnataka to witness mega clash between Kumaraswamy and Star Chandru Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:26 PM
I-T seizes unaccounted cash from Kolkata bizman's office Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:24 PM
Byju's EGM on rights issue ends sans objections, dissenting investors skip meet Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:12 PM
Anti-abuse provisions should not be used in receipt of capital from credible investors: Experts Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:09 PM
UP: Kamaal R Khan's brother to contest from Saharanpur on BSP ticket Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:59 PM
Pakistan: Alarm bells ring as judicial bodies gear up to protect their judges against 'targeted assault' Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:50 PM
Judicial probe ordered in Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:46 PM
Stories come knocking, characters start whispering to me: Filmmaker Rima Das Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:45 PM
Magisterial probe ordered into Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 12:52 PM