Bangladesh and Australia will play the fifth match of the bilateral T20I series on August 9. Bangladesh have already clinched the series after winning the first three games. Australia triumphed for the first time in the series in the fourth match, avoiding a humiliating whitewash. The visitors will be trying to end the series on a good note, while Bangladesh will be aiming to win the last match to finish the series 4-1. For the series finale, we may also expect a spin-friendly pitch. The fifth T20I match preview of the Bangladesh vs. Australia Series 2021 is discussed in this article.
Bangladesh Team News
Bangladesh players looked uninterested in batting during the fourth match after winning the series against Australia on Friday (August 6). Bangladesh got off to a good start but collapsed in the middle of the innings. Naim (28), Mahedi (23), and Afif (20) all did their best to put up a good score, but Bangladesh only managed 104/9, which Australia chased down with 6 balls to spare.
Read: Nightmarish outing of Shakib costs Bangladesh 4th T20I
In the fifth match, we may see some changes in Bangladesh's playing XI. Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, and Taskin Ahmed may be included in the playing XI in place of Soumya Sarkar, Shamim Hossain, and pacer Shoriful Islam.
Bangladesh's spinners have been outstanding in this series. Especially, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed has exhibited his talent, and Australian batters have struggled to deal with his deliveries.
However, Mustafizur Rahman has been the most prolific bowler in this series. The left-arm pacer has found his real form and has become a nightmare for Australian batsmen. He will also be crucial for Bangladesh in the final match.
Read:4th T20: Bangladesh set Australia 105-run target
Predicted XI (Bangladesh)
Mohammad Naim, Mohammad Mithun, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad (captain), Mahedi Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Nasun Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed
Australia Team News
Despite the fact that the visiting side has gained a lot of confidence after winning the fourth match by three wickets against a highly competitive Bangladesh team, especially in home conditions. Bangladesh will try to make a big comeback in the fifth match. Therefore, if Australia are to win the final match of the series before leaving Dhaka, they must perform at their best.
Legbreak bowler Mitchell Swepson and pacer Andrew Tye both had solid performances in the fourth match. They both got three wickets each and their brilliant efforts helped Australia to restrict Bangladesh in a low total. Along with them, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa will be crucial for Australia's bowling lineup in the next match.
Read: Shoriful reprimanded for breaching ICC code of conduct
Australia made some changes in the last match. Dan Christian was one of the key players in their playing XI. This power hitter stepped out to bat at no. 3 and smacked five sixes in the fourth over by Shakib Al Hasan. Without a doubt, this affected the overall scenario of the game as Australia chased down the target with an over to spare.
Australia's in-form batsman Mitchell Marsh and opener Ben McDermott will also be key figures in the final match. However, every individual in the playing XI must do their part effectively to win the series finale match.
Predicted XI (Australia)
Alex Carey, Ben McDermott, Dan Christian, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Matthew Wade (captain & wk), Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Hazlewood
Pitch Report, Weather and Recent Form
The curator is expected to build a spin-friendly surface as well for the fifth T20I match of the Bangladesh vs. Australia series 2021. Therefore, batters will find it hard to score fast on this surface.Dhaka's weather will most likely be partly overcast, with a chance of light rain showers in the late afternoon on Monday. Bangladesh have won three of its past five Twenty20 International matches, whereas Australia have only won one of its previous five Twenty20 International matches.
Read: BAN vs. AUS 2021: Bangladesh Secure Historic Series Win Over Australia
Bottom Line
The fifth T20I match of Bangladesh vs. Australia Series 2021 will be an interesting affair, with both teams looking to finish the series on a high note. Bangladesh will try all out to beat Australia once more, as it would give the team more pleasure and confidence. Bangladesh's players must replicate their excellent performance, as they did in the previous matches of the series. This match would be much more important for Australia in order to restore some pride. However, Bangladesh will start as the favorite, and we can expect a closely contested series finale match between these two teams.