Bangladesh take on Australia in their last match of the T20 World Cup 2021. Australia won the toss and opted to field first.
Having lost all 4 matches in the Super 12s, this match is likely to be the last nail on the coffin unless Bangladesh can turn things around.
On the other hand, a win in the last match can help Bangladesh qualify directly into the super 12s or the second round of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Bangladesh have won a recent T20I series against Australia in favourable conditions at home by a 4-1 margin. Australia will be looking to keep it tight from the word go.
Josh Hazlewood has been excellent in the 6-over powerplays in the recent past. There can be a couple of overs from Maxwell too. For the middle overs, there are the likes of Zampa and Cummins, and Starc will bowl at the death.
It will be a test for the Bangladeshi batters, just like it has been against England and South Africa. There are good powerplay bowlers, excellent T20 spinners and death over specialists.
The absence of Shakib Al Hasan is a huge blow for the team, especially for the bowling line-up. However, the attack will line up with Taskin and Shoriful in the XI alongside the spinners.
The Australian batting order has Finch, Warner and Smith, Marsh and Maxwell coming in. There is no other alternative for the Bangladeshi bowlers to dominate than bringing quick breakthroughs, rotating the bowlers and keeping up the pressure.
Playing XIs:
Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (c), Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood.