T20
IPL 2021: Those who are at the Top Before the Tournament Resume
The IPL 2021 was postponed earlier this year due to the coronavirus epidemic in India. Later, the BCCI contacted the United Arab Emirates to host the remaining tournament during the September-October period. The decision was made within a month, and the UAE was picked to host the remainder of the competition. The UAE and Oman will co-host the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in October-November window following this franchise-based Twenty20 competition. Only 29 matches were played in the IPL 2021 before it was postponed. Before the IPL 2021 resumes in September, let's take a look at who's at the top.
Shakib Al Hasan Reclaims No.1 Spot in T20I Rankings, Wins ICC's POTM Award for July 2021
Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan was named the ICC Player of the Month for July on Wednesday (August 11). He emerged victorious after edging out Australia's Mitchell Marsh and West Indian young leg-spinner Hayden Walsh. Shakib was the genuine difference-maker in Bangladesh's tour to Zimbabwe in July and he deservedly won the coveted prize. The ace all-rounder has moved to the top of the ICC's T20I all-rounder rankings following a steady performance in recent Bangladesh vs. Australia Twenty20 International series. Shakib has recently been in outstanding form with the ball on the international stage, helping Bangladesh win five straight international series.
What Made Shakib the Top Player for the Month of July?
Shakib Al Hasan was the most important player during Bangladesh's trip to Zimbabwe in July. He had a huge impact throughout the tour. Shakib took 5 wickets in the one-off Test match, which helped Bangladesh earn their first-ever Test series victory in Zimbabwe.
Shakib Al Hasan took 8 wickets and scored 145 runs (including a match-winning unbeaten 96* in the second ODI) in the three-match ODI series. Bangladesh won the three-match limited-overs series 3-0. Finally, he took three wickets in the T20I series, helping Bangladesh in winning the series 2-1.
Read: BAN vs AUS 2021: Shakib Al Hasan On Verge of Achieving Two Milestones
Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh had a fantastic T20I series against the Windies. He took 8 wickets and scored 219 runs in the five-match series, but his team lost the series 4-1 against the home side.
West Indian leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. had a big impact in both the T20I and ODI series. He was named Player of the Series after taking 12 wickets in the Twenty20 International series.
Hayden Walsh was a strong contender for the award, but Shakib's overall performance during the Zimbabwe tour last month made him the clear favorite to win the ICC's best player award for the month of July.
The Current Scenario of ICC's T20I Rankings
Shakib Al Hasan has regained the top spot in the ICC's T20I all-rounder rankings after some strong performances in the recent series against Australia. Shakib scored the second-most runs (114) in the series with a strike rate of 100.88 on slow-turning pitches. He also took 7 wickets with an economy rate of 6.45.
Read: Bangladesh beat Australia in final T20, take the series 4-1
Shakib's best bowling performance of the series came in the last match when he took four wickets for only nine runs. The ace all-rounder was named player of the series and has moved to the top of the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings for his excellent consistency throughout the series.
Shakib Al Hasan currently leads the all-rounder rankings with 286 rating points, followed by Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi (285 points) and Scottish player Richard Berrington (194 points).
Also read: Shakib named ICC Player of the Month, No. 1 all-rounder in T20
England's Dawid Malan leads the batting chart with 841 points, followed by Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam (819 points) and New Zealand's Devon Conway (774 points). South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi leads the bowling rankings with 792 rating points, followed by Sri Lanka's Wanindu De Silva (764 points) and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan (719 points).
England are ranked first in the ICC's T20I team rankings with 278 rating points. India are in second place with 273 points, while New Zealand are in third place with 263 points. Bangladesh are presently ranked 10th in the world, with 231 rating points.
Bangladesh have a decent chance of moving up to fifth place if they whitewash New Zealand in the upcoming series. If Bangladesh win the series against New Zealand 4-1, they will be in sixth place. However, if Bangladesh win the series 3-2, they will be in seventh place.
Read Shakib first cricketer with 1000 runs, 100 wickets in T20I
Verdict
Shakib Al Hasan was the favorite prior to the announcement of the ICC Player of the Month award for July. Because Shakib's contribution to Bangladesh during the Zimbabwe series was crucial. On the other side, Mitchell Marsh's steady performance did not assist Australia in winning any series against the Windies. The other contender for the award was West Indian Hayden Walsh Jr., who had a fantastic T20I series against Australia, but Shakib had a better overall record in July than the other two contenders.
Shakib's performance in the Australia series helped him reclaim the top position in the ICC T20I rankings. Hopefully, he will continue to perform well against New Zealand in the upcoming series.
Read Big step towards becoming a big team: Shakib
BAN vs. NZ 2021: New Zealand Announce Squad For the T20 Series against Bangladesh
The New Zealand T20 team will play a five-match series against Bangladesh starting in September 2021. New Zealand last played a Test, ODI, and T20I series in Bangladesh in 2013. The New Zealand Cricket Board has already named a 15-man team for the forthcoming series against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Surprisingly, no players who will attain in the T20 World Cup or the India series have been included in the tours. Though, the declared team is more than able to put Bangladeshi players under a lot of pressure. Let's take a look at New Zealand's squad for the BAN vs. NZ 2021 T20I series.
New Zealand’s Squad for the BAN vs. NZ 2021 T20I Series
New Zealand Cricket announced their T20I and One-Day International teams for the upcoming series against Bangladesh and Pakistan on Monday (August 9). New Zealand will play Bangladesh in five T20 matches, followed by five T20s and three ODIs in September.
The selectors included a number of young players in the team for their white-ball tours in Bangladesh and Pakistan, New Zealand. New Zealand Cricket has opted to rest several experienced players in light of the IPL and T20 World Cup. As a result, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and other senior members will be unable to participate in the tour.
Read Shakib Al Hasan Favourite to Win ICC’s Player of the Month for July
Tom Latham will lead the New Zealand team. Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, and Ajaz Patel will have to carry most of the responsibility during the contest. This team has several talented bowlers who may be tricky on a slow pitch.
Bangladesh have had a lot of success against New Zealand in the ODI format. However, they have never beaten New Zealand in T20 or Test cricket. Bangladesh have played 10 T20 matches against New Zealand so far and lost all of them. Bangladesh have a great chance to win a series against a second-tier New Zealand team at home especially after winning a T20I series against Australia.
Meanwhile, the official schedule of the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series has been finalized. The New Zealand squad will follow a strict covid-19 health protocol during their tour in Bangladesh.
Read Bangladesh beat Australia in final T20, take the series 4-1
New Zealand T20I Squad:
Tom Latham (Captain &wk), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell (wk), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Blair Tickner, Will Young
Series fixture
The New Zealand Cricket Board wants to play five T20 matches at the same ground due to the coronavirus pandemic. That's why the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur will host all of Bangladesh's matches against New Zealand in September and the matches will start at 6 PM (BST).
M: 1st T20I | Date: September 1, M: 2nd T20I | Date: September 3, M: 3rd T20I | Date: September 5, M: 4th T20I | Date: September 8, M: 5th T20I | Date: September 10
Verdict
We should expect spin-friendly pitches for the BAN vs. NZ 2021 series as Bangladesh aim to dominate the contest. In such a scenario, this Kiwi side would have to put in a lot of effort to beat Bangladesh's T20I team. In addition, Bangladesh team management can test their squad strength during the series. On the other hand, this New Zealand team will be aiming to gain valuable experience, as this sort of slow pitch is hardly seen anywhere else in the world.
Read England’s Bangladesh tour in jeopardy
Shakib Al Hasan Favourite to Win ICC’s Player of the Month for July
The world's top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been shortlisted for the ICC Player of the Month award for July. Shakib Al Hasan was awarded Man of the Series for his outstanding performance in the recently ended T20I series against Australia. However, his performance in the Australia series will not be counted because the award will be granted based on July's performance. The other two nominees are Australia's Mitchell Marsh and West Indian leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. In this article, we discussed why Shakib Al Hasan is the favourite to win the ICC Player of the Month award for July?
Who are the nominees for the ICC Player of the Month award for July?
Shakib Al Hasan, Mitchell Marsh, and Hayden Walsh Jr. were all nominated and performed well for their respective countries in July. As a result, they are deserving of this recognition. Let's take a look at how they fared in the month of July.
Read: Shakib first cricketer with 1000 runs, 100 wickets in T20I
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Test: 1 | Runs: 3 | Wkts: 5 | BBI: 4/82 | Econ: 2.10ODI:3 | Runs: 145 | Ave: 72.50 | HS: 96* | Wkts: 8 | BBI: 5/30| Ave: 14.75 T20I: 3| Runs: 37 | Wkts: 3 | BBI: 1/24 | Econ: 7.57
Shakib Al Hasan was excellent with the ball during the Zimbabwe trip. He took 16 wickets in eight innings across all formats. Shakib's best bowling figures on the tour (5/30) came in the One-Day International series. He also had several crucial innings, including a 96-run knock in the second ODI, which helped Bangladesh clinch the series with a game in hand.
Shakib Al Hasan took 5 wickets in the Test series, helping Bangladesh win their first-ever Test series in Zimbabwe. The world's best all-rounder failed with the bat during the Twenty20 International series. He was crucial with the ball, picking up three wickets at an economy rate of 7.57.
Shakib Al Hasan was awarded Player of the Series in the ODI format, and his impact on the Zimbabwe tour was undeniable. That's why the ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is the favourite to win the ICC Player of the Month award for July.
Read: BAN vs AUS 2021: Shakib Al Hasan On Verge of Achieving TWO UNIQUE MILESTONES
Bangladesh vs. Australia Series 2021: 5th T20I Preview
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.
BAN vs AUS 2021: Bangladesh Create History With First T20I Win Against Australia
Bangladesh beat Australia by 23 runs in the opening match to take a 1-0 lead in the BAN vs. AUS 2021 T20I series. Bangladesh will have an opportunity to extend the lead in the series if they win on Wednesday at the SBNCS in Mirpur. Australia will try to level the series but Bangladesh will be the favorite if they can maintain the fighting attitude that they displayed in the first match. Almost every Bangladesh player in the playing XI contributed to this historic triumph. The match report of the BAN vs. AUS 2021 Twenty20 International series is discussed in this article.
BAN vs. AUS 2021: Match Report of First T20I
It was a hot day in Dhaka, and the Australian players had to adapt to the new environment. During the game, it was apparent that the Australian batters were struggling to cope with the pitch conditions. They aren't used to such a spin track, particularly in the T20 format. As a result, Australia were unable to chase down the small target and lost the first game of the series by 23 runs.
No one expected Bangladesh spinners to upset the Australian batting order and achieve a sensational victory when the Australian openers stepped out to bat in pursuit of 132 runs. Bangladesh, on the other hand, struck first with Mahadi Hasan's first ball of the innings. Bangladesh took two more wickets in the next two overs.
Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad deserves special praise for his decision-making. Riyad employed three spinners in the opening three overs, preventing the Australian top order from settling in the middle. Mahadi, Nasum, and Shakib all took wickets in their respective first overs.
Read:England’s Bangladesh tour deferred to March, 2023
Australia were under pressure after losing three wickets for only 11 runs in three overs. The in-form Mitchell Marsh and Captain Mathew Wade then took a cautious approach to rebuild the innings. They carried the total to 49 runs in the tenth over before Nasum Ahmed removed Wade with an ordinary delivery.
Things began to shift in Bangladesh's favor after the Wade-Mitchell partnership was broken. The bowlers started to put more pressure on the Australian batsmen by maintaining good line and length with the ball.
Australia had a chance till Mitchell Marsh remained at the crease. However, Australia's batting crumbled after Mitchell Marsh (45) was bowled by Nasum Ahmed in the 16th over. The left-arm orthodox spinner won the player of the match award after taking four wickets for only 19 runs.
Read:Tigers create history winning first T20I v mighty Australia
In the end, Australia were bowled out for 108 runs in exactly 20 overs. Bangladesh successfully defended a low total against mighty Australia. Apart from the spinners, Bangladesh's pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam bowled effectively as well. They each took two wickets in this match.
Earlier, Australia's stand-in skipper Mathew Wade opted to bowl first on a spin-friendly surface. Two spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar were picked in Australia's playing XI. Both have a proven track record on subcontinent surfaces. In particular, their IPL experiences have come in handy in the series.
Bangladesh were watchful of the two Australian spinners but tried to score quickly against the fast bowlers. That is why Aussie pacers picked up most of the Bangladeshi wickets. Only Adam Zampa took the wicket of opener Mohammad Naim among the spinners. The left-hand opener got off to a good start, scoring 30 runs before being clean bowled by leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the seventh over.
Also read: Blackcaps to visit Bangladesh for five T20Is in August
Bangladesh's batters failed to increase the run rates, and whenever they tried to attack the bowlers, they lost wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad recorded the highest 36-run partnership for Bangladesh in the third wicket. They pushed the total to 73 runs within 13th over. Shakib scored the highest 36 runs for Bangladesh before being bowled by Hazlewood in the 17th over.
Left-handed batsman Afif Hossain played an important 20-run knock in the death overs to assist Bangladesh set up a challenging total (131/7) to defend on a tricky surface. Josh Hazlewood was the best Aussie bowler in the match. He picked up 3 wickets for 24 runs.
Read Nasum scripts Bangladesh’s maiden T20 win over Australia
Bottom Line
The factors that led to Bangladesh's victory against Australia in the first match of the BAN vs. AUS 2021 series should be maintained in the second match. Because it is crucial for the players to put in consistent performances in order to stay firm in the contest. Furthermore, Bangladesh's players must strive to rectify their mistakes so that they do not repeat them in the next encounter. On the other side, Australia will play with a lot of aggression in the second match in an attempt to level the series. So, we can expect that the second match will be an even more fascinating contest.
Read Bangladesh post 131 in first T20I vs Australia
BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021: Players to watch
Bangladesh have never won a Twenty20 match against Australia. As a result, Bangladesh will be motivated to upset Australia in the upcoming five-match T20I series. The chances of beating Australia are much better this time than they have been in the past.Both sides have some outstanding cricketers who are capable of destroying the opponent on their day. These cricketers will be in pole position to win the best player of the series award if they can perform at their best.This article looks at five talented cricketers who can make a difference in the BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021.
Potential players to make upsets in BAN vs. AUS T20I series 2021
1) Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
T20I Record in 2021:M: 3|Runs: 37|HS: 25|SR: 160.86|Wkts: 3| BBI: 1/24 | Econ: 7.00 | Catch: 2
Shakib Al Hasan will have to shoulder most of the responsibility if Bangladesh is to have a decent series against Australia. The world's finest all-rounder has struggled with the bat since returning from a one-year ban imposed by the International Cricket Council. However, his presence in the playing XI always provides added motivation to the players.Hopefully, Shakib will regain his usual rhythm during the contest and help Bangladesh in winning this series against Australia.
Read:BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: T20I Records Between Bangladesh and Australia
2) Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
T20I Record in 2021: M: 10|Runs: 286|HS: 75|SR: 143.71|Wkts: 8| BBI: 3/24 | Econ: 6.76 | Catch: 5
Mitchell Marsh has been in superb form with the bat and the ball since the start of this year. He is the most consistent performer in the present squad. Mitchell will play an important role in Australia's batting order and could also contribute to the bowling attack in this series.
3) Mahmudullah Riyad (Bangladesh)
T20I Record in 2021: M: 5|Runs: 85|HS: 34 |SR: 126.86
Mahmudullah Riyad is Bangladesh's most proficient power hitter on the international stage. He can speed up the run rates when it’s most needed. Mahmudullah must also demonstrate his ability as a captain, especially at the crucial stage of the game. Bangladesh's chances in the series will be largely determined by his performance as a batsman and as captain.
Read BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021: First Match Preview
4) Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
T20I Record in 2021: M: 2|Wkts: 3| BBI: 3/31 | Econ: 9.87
Bangladesh's cutter-master Mustafizur Rahman has only played two Twenty20 International matches this year because of injuries. He could also miss a couple of games in this series. Mustafiz will be Bangladesh's most lethal weapon whenever he returns in the series. His off-cutter deliveries will be tricky for Australian batters to handle.
5) Mitchell Starc (Australia)
T20I Record in 2021: M: 4|Wkts: 1| BBI: 1/15 | Econ: 8.81 | Catch: 2
Australia's quickest bowler Mitchell Starc has only played four games for the Baggy Greens this year. He has been struggling to find his rhythm, but the Bangladeshi batsmen may find this fiery bowler too much to handle. Bangladeshi batters may struggle with Starc's line and lengths. On a given day, Starc is capable of destroying any opposition in the world. So, it will be interesting to see how Bangladesh batsmen handle the pace of Mitchell Starc. It will be fascinating to see how the Bangladesh batsmen handle Mitchell Starc's pace in the BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021.
Read:Bangladesh and Australia will play a five-match Twenty20 International series starting from August 3
Bottom Line
The visiting Australia team does not have some renowned cricketers. Captain Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith, and Galen Maxwell are among them. On the other side, the Bangladesh team will play this series in the absence of a few star players. Tamim Iqbal will not be able to take part in the contest due to an injury. Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das will be unable to participate because they breached the bio-secure bubble aimed at protecting players' health safety. Besides, Mustafizur Rahman is likely to miss the opening few games of the series. So, we can't rule out the possibility of youngsters shining in this BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021.
Read:BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: Who Would Make a Bangladesh-Australia Combined T20I XI?
BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021: First Match Preview
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.
Read BAN vs. AUS T20I Series 2021: Players to watch
BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: T20I Records Between Bangladesh and Australia
Bangladesh have played six Twenty20 International matches in 2021, winning two and losing four. They won their most recent T20I series against Zimbabwe 2-1 and are confident about the upcoming series against Australia.While, Australia have played 10 Twenty20 International matches this year, winning only three and losing the rest. They are under a lot of pressure ahead of the five-match BAN vs. AUS Series 2021 against the host. Bangladesh have a chance to win a match against Australia in the T20 format in this series. Let's look at some of the most noteworthy T20I records between Bangladesh and Australia.
Head to head T20I record
Bangladesh and Australia have played a total of four Twenty20 Internationals between them. Australia now have a 4-0 lead in the head-to-head meeting. Bangladesh have yet to win a match against Australia in the T20 format. Interestingly, both countries have only met each other in the World Twenty20 tournament and have yet to play a bilateral T20 series between them. The two teams last played in the 2016 World T20 in India, which Australia won by three wickets.
Read BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: Who Would Make a Bangladesh-Australia Combined T20I XI?
BAN vs. AUS Series 2021:Notable T20I Records ahead of the series
Bangladesh last met Australia in a Twenty20 match five years ago in India at the World T20. Here are a few notable T20I records between these two teams.
Bangladesh
Australia
Matches Played (4)
0
4
Most Runs
Shakib Al Hasan (143runs in 4 innings)
David Warner (81 runs in 3 innings)
Highest Score
Shakib Al Hasan (66)
Mathew Hayden (73*)
Most Fifties
Shakib Al Hasan (1)
Mathew Hayden, Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch (1)
Most Wickets
Shakib Al Hasan (5)
Dirk Nannes (4)
Best Bowling Figures
Shakib Al Hasan (3/27)
Dirk Nannes (4/18)
Most Matches
Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan(4)
David Warner (3)
Highest Partnership
Shakib Al Hasan&Mushfiqur Rahim (112)
Adam Gilchrist & Mathew Hayden (104)
Most Catches
Aftab Ahmed &Shakib Al Hasan (2)
Michael Hussey (4)
Most Dismissals
Mushfiqur Rahim (2)
Adam Gilchrist (1)
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
BAN vs. AUS Series 2021:Venue stats (SBNCS, Mirpur)
T20I Record at the SBNCS, Mirpur (All Twenty20 Internationals will be played at this venue)
Matches Played: 44 | Bat-first (won): 22| Bat-Second (won): 22| Highest Innings:111* (Ahmed Shehzad) |Best Bowling (Innings): 5/15 (KMA Paul) | Highest Team innings: 211/4 |Lowest Team Innings: 72
Read PAK vs. WI 2021: Pakistan and the Windies Face-off in a T20 World Cup Preparation Series
Bangladesh’s record at the SBNCS, Mirpur: Played:26 | Win: 11 | Lost: 15
Australia’s record at the SBNCS, Mirpur: Played:4 | Win: 01 | Lost: 03
Players to watch out in the BAN vs. AUS Series 2021
Bangladesh
Three Key Batsmen:Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, MahmudullahRiyad
Three Key Bowlers: Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Shoriful Islam
Predicted Playing XI (Bangladesh)
Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, MahmudullahRiyad (Captain), Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, NurulHasan (WK), Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam
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Australia
Three Key Batsmen: Josh Philippe, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques
Three Key Bowlers: Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
Predicted Playing XI (Australia)
Josh Philippe, Matthew Wade (Captain, WK), Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Alex Carey, Andrew Tye, Mitchell Swepson, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
Bottom Line
Australia are currently well ahead of Bangladesh according to the key T20I records between these two sides. However, the Bangladesh team has a lot of confidence after winning the recent twenty20 series against Zimbabwe away from home. On the other hand, Australia were defeated 4-1 by the Windies in their most recent series. Hopefully, some new records will be set and a fierce battle between these two teams will be seen in the BAN vs. AUS Series 2021.
Read Five-match T20Is: Australian cricket team arrives in Dhaka
BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: Who Would Make a Bangladesh-Australia Combined T20I XI?
A Twenty20 International series between Bangladesh and Australia will begin on August 3. The 18-member Australian squad has already arrived in Bangladesh. On the other side, the Bangladesh team has remained unchanged for the forthcoming series against Australia. Both teams have some excellent cricketers who can change the outcome of a match and guide their teams to victory on any given day. We tried to put up a combined T20I XI from the players of the two teams ahead of the five-match bilateral twenty20 BAN vs. AUS Series 2021, which has been discussed in this article.
BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: Best combined T20I XI from Bangladesh and Australia
1) Josh Philippe (Australia)
M: 8|Runs: 119|HS: 45|SR: 111.21
Josh Philippe will have to carry more responsibility in the absence of Aaron Finch. Philippe is a brilliant young talent with a promising future ahead of him.
2) Soumya Sarkar (Bangladesh)
M: 56|Runs: 1,077|HS: 68|SR: 127.60|Wkts:9 | BBI: 2/19 | Econ: 9.81
Soumya Sarkar has rediscovered his rhythm during the away series against Zimbabwe. He will be a key player for Bangladesh in the T20I series against Australia.
Read PAK vs. WI 2021: Pakistan and the Windies Face-off in a T20 World Cup Preparation Series
3) Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
M: 79|Runs: 1,604|HS: 84|SR: 124.43|Wkts: 95| BBI: 5/20 | Econ: 6.82
Shakib Al Hasan is a seasoned campaigner despite his recent batting difficulties. Shakib could be the deciding factor in the series against Australia.
4) Mitchell Marsh(Australia)
M: 25|Runs: 544|HS: 75|SR: 128.30|Wkts:15 | BBI: 3/24 | Econ: 7.48
Mitchell Marsh has been in excellent form since the Windies series. Mitchell’s performance would be vital for team Australia in the Bangladesh series.
Read Ben Stokes take 'indefinite break' from all cricket
5) Moises Henriques (Australia)
M: 19|Runs: 315|HS: 62*|SR: 131.79|Wkts:7| BBI: 3/22 | Econ: 8.59
Moises Henriques is a crucial part of Australia's T20 lineup. He will play an important role in the Australian batting order during the contest.
6) Mahmudullah Riyad (Bangladesh, Captain)
M: 92|Runs: 1,560|HS: 64*|SR: 123.02|Wkts:31| BBI: 3/18 | Econ: 7.34
The captain of Bangladesh's T20I team, Mahmudullah Riyad will have to bear a significant amount of responsibility against Australia. He is an important hitter in the death overs.
Read Five-match T20Is: Australian cricket team arrives in Dhaka
7) Mathew Wade (Australia, WK)
M: 43|Runs: 613|HS: 80|SR: 130.70
In the absence of Aaron Finch, wicketkeeper-batsman Mathew Wade is the most likely candidate to lead Australia in this series. He is a tough batsman in the death overs.
8) Andrew Tye (Australia)
M: 29|Runs: 76|HS: 20|SR: 120.63|Wkts:42| BBI: 4/23 | Econ: 8.95
Andrew Tye is a genuine breakthrough bowler in the shorter-version format. He has the ability to cause trouble to Bangladesh batters.
Read Bangladesh and Australia will play a five-match Twenty20 International series starting from August 3
9) Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
M: 43|Wkts:61| BBI: 5/22 | Econ: 8.02
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman will lead Bangladesh's bowling attack in the series. His cutter bowling could be crucial in putting pressure on Australia's batting lineup.
10) Mitchell Starc (Australia)
M: 39|Wkts:48| BBI: 3/11 | Econ: 7.15
Mitchell Starc is a fiery pace bowler, and Bangladesh batters must be prepared to face him. On his day, he can destroy any batting order.
Read Soumya takes big leap in ICC T20 rankings after Zimbabwe series
11) Adam Zampa (Australia)
M: 46|Wkts: 47 | BBI: 3/14 | Econ: 7.03
Adam Zampa is an excellent wicket-taker with his leg-spin. Zampa's spin, as well as his ability to take wickets, may make a difference in a match.
Bottom Line
It's never easy to pick the best XI from two international teams. The Bangladesh-Australia Combined T20I XI 2021 has been selected based on recent form and experience. The majority of the players in the XI are Australians, as the Australian squad has more experience and better stats than the current Bangladesh side. Although, Bangladesh's twenty20 team has the ability to upset the opponent in the forthcoming BAN vs. AUS Series 2021.
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