Bangladesh is facing Australia today in their last match of the current World Cup. Bangladesh is not thinking of any alternative to win today’s match to ensure their place in the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan in 2025. On the other hand, Ajid’s Lakh, who had already secured the semi-finals, beat Bangladesh and climbed to second place in the points table.
The match will start at 11 am at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Bangladesh has no option to win the match if they don’t want to match any equation. Defeating Australia will ensure them to be eighth in the table with 6 points. But even if they lose, Shakib will have a chance, in that case the mathematical calculation is like this – if Australia scores 360 runs by batting first, then Bangladesh will have to score at least 200 runs. If Bangladesh bat first and score 200 runs, then Australia will have to drag the game to at least 23 overs to chase that run.
In 2005, Bangladesh beat Australia in an ODI in Cardiff, but no bilateral series was played in the last 18 years. Moreover, Nazmul Shant, many of the Tawheed hearts in the current team have never faced these Aussie bowlers. So Australia is very much unknown to the Tigers. But the spinners did well in the first match against Afghanistan, as did the pacers against Sri Lanka – Bangladesh will go into today’s match with confidence from two matches.
Shakib Al Hasan, the regular captain of the Bangladesh team, has been knocked out of the tournament due to an injury to his left hand finger. He has already returned to the country. Instead, opener Enamul Haque Bijay entered the squad.
It is expected that there will be changes in the opening pair of the Tigers. In that case, Enamul Vijay can enter the team instead of Tamim. On his inclusion, coach Hathurusinghe said that the 15 members in the team have equal chances to play for victory like others.
Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed is slated to play as Shakib’s replacement. Pacer Shakib can lose his place in the team after playing one match. Mustafizur Rahman can enter the team in his place.
Possible XI of Bangladesh
Liton Das, Tanjid Hasan/Enamul Haque Vijay, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah Riyad, Tawheed Hriday, Mehdi Hasan Miraj, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Shariful Islam.
(10 November/NBW)