Bangladesh and Australia will play the opening match of the bilateral T20I series at the Sher-e-Bangla cricket stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday (August 3). Both Australia and Bangladesh teams are enclosed in a bio-bubble, and all those directly involved in the series are closely monitored by physicians and subjected to the covid19 test on a regular basis. The good news is that all of the players from both sides have tested negative so far and are likely to participate in the series opener. The first match preview of the BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021 is discussed in this article.
Read:BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: T20I Records Between Bangladesh and Australia
BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021: Team News for the First Match
Bangladesh
Bangladesh team management may opt for Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Mithun to open the innings in the series opener because of the growing concern of the injuries of openers Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Naim. Bangladesh have limited options in the opening slot, therefore they want to give the responsibility to the senior members of the squad.
Mustafizur Rahman is uncertain about the first two matches in the bowling department. Shoriful, Taskin, and Saifuddin may all be in the playing XI. Saifuddin has been struggling with the ball lately, and he will need to change his line and lengths to be successful against the Australian batters. Apart from that, the rest of the players from the just concluded Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe T20I series will likely remain unchanged.
Read:BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: Who Would Make a Bangladesh-Australia Combined T20I XI?
Expected Playing XI (Bangladesh)
M Naim, S Sarkar, Shakib , Mahmudullah (Captain), Afif, Shamim, N Hasan (WK), Nasum, MSaifuddin, Taskin, Shoriful
Australia
Australia have struggled to reach their full potential in the Twenty20 format since the beginning of the year. For the Windies and Bangladesh series, Cricket Australia has rested some star players and offered a few newcomers an opportunity to shine on the international stage.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mathew Wade may captain Australia in this BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021 in the absence of regular skipper Aaron Finch. He may also open the innings with Josh Philippe in the first match. Australia may field two spinners in the series opener given the fact that Mirpur's surface is likely to assist spinners. That's why both Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa may be included in the playing XI.
Read:Bangladesh and Australia will play a five-match Twenty20 International series starting from August 3
Expected Playing XI (Australia)
J Philippe, M Wade (C & WK), M Marsh, M Henriques, A Carey, A Tye, M Swepson, Ashton Agar, A Zampa, J Hazlewood, M Starc
Toss, Weather Forecast, and Recent Form
Thunderstorms are expected early in the day, but the remainder of the day will most likely be overcast on Tuesday. There is no advantage to choose bat first or bat second at the SBNCS, Mirpur. With this in mind, the captains may make their final decision based on the pitch condition. According to recent form, Australia have lost seven of the ten T20I matches they have played this year, while Bangladesh have lost four of the six matches they have played in 2021.
Read:BAN vs AUS 2021: Shakib Al Hasan On Verge of Achieving Two Unique Milestones
Verdict
All of the matches in this bilateral BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021 will be played at the same venue (SBNCS, Mirpur) to be safe in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak. Every match in this series is crucial in the build-up to the ICC Twenty20 World Cup. Therefore, Bangladesh and Australia will both take the series seriously in order to identify their respective strengths and weaknesses. Bangladesh will certainly seek to use its home advantage during the contest. However, Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo prefers to play on a good surface. Because he believes that playing on a sporting pitch will help them prepare well for the Twenty20 World Cup.