Team tigers now on tour to Zimbabwe have unique rare opportunity of achieving ODI series whitewash. But from the way the team had to struggle to overcome the challenges for winning the two matches suggests that business as usual may not be enough.
Bangladesh won the first ODI by huge margin but while batting first it collapsed against the home teams pace attack. Great batting of Liton, Riad and Afif came to the rescue and Shakib’s magic (5/30) earned them the huge win. In the second match as we know Bangladesh losing 7/173 by the 39th over chasing home team set target of 241 was on the brink of defeat. Only a superlative comeback innings of 96* by Shakib and excellent unbeaten partnership with Saifuddin (28*) bailed them out of the bubble tight situation.
Bangladesh think tank needs reviewing batting resources and batting order. Mithun and Mosaddeq looked terrible, Tamim possibly is not match fit. There are reports in the media that Tamim may not be available for the T20 series and may even miss the series against Australia and New Zealand .In such situation Bangladesh must not risk him in the last match. Mohammad Naim is a genuine opener and Nurul Hasan Sohan would be a far better option in the late middle order than either Mithun or Mosaddeq. Mustafiz if match fit should also play. In that case it needs to be seen whether Taskin or Shoriful should be rested for the match. Now the question arises who should bat at four? In my opinion Mahmudullah and Afif should be slotted at four and five as Bangladesh in three matches on the looked vulnerable in those positions. Slotting Riad and Afif in higher order would give them opportunity to play longer innings and prepare better for T20 series.
Bangladesh desperately needs winning the match today and earn all important 10 points to consolidate their position in the ICC Super League ranking. Zimbabwe will not make the task easy at all. Several times during the second they threatening to upset Bangladesh. It is only due to the lack of depth of their batting and bowling resources they could not keep pressing on. Bangladesh cannot be complacent at all. In every match Liton or Shakib would not carry out rescue missions. Contributions must come from others. Naim and Sohan deserve opportunity. Mithun and Mosaddeq have failed in two matches. There is no point sticking with them. Sohan can also keep wickets reducing the workload of Liton.
My Suggested playing Eleven for the match today .
Liton, Naim, Shakib, Riad, Afif, Sohan, Mehidy, Saifuddin, Taskin, Shoriful and Mustafiz.
Bangladesh think tank must be proactive rather than reactive. Risking Tamim for yet another match may not prove productive at all. Riad can lead the team in his absence.
BDST: 0819 HRS, JUL 20, 2021
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