In a World Cup which has defied many doubters so far, a real – knockout clash between the eighth and ninth ranked teams on the ICC ODI board, with eight placed Bangladesh being the hosts.
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| Mushfiqur's reflexes proved a key turning part against Ireland |
As recalled before the Ireland match, they boast two high class players in explosive opener Tamim Iqbal and canny all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and their latest two series have seen 4-0 and 3-1 home wins over New Zealand and Zimbabwe respectively and they currently have two bowlers in the ODI world top five. Here at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium they’re a tough nut to crack and they made 283 against India, and similar totals would make them heavy favourites against quite a few teams.
Given that, it was disappointing to see them make only 205 against Ireland even with the quality performances that Jonathan Botha and George Dockrell put in with the ball (something that they failed to replicate against England despite winning).
What will have been of real encouragement for Bangladesh was how vastly improved their bowling was against Ireland. The hosts needed early wickets to put pressure on the Irish and they too were indebted to a superb piece of glovesmanship, Mushfiqur's reflexes lightning-quick after Paul Stirling had misjudged a full ball from spinner Abdul Razzak.
William Porterfield was the next to go for 20 just when it looked like he had played himself in, clipping Shakib straight to Raqibul at mid-wicket to leave Ireland on 36-2. Bangladeshi captain Shakib had warned Ireland's batsmen prior to the game that they might struggle on the slow pitch and Bangladesh's spinners proved as good as their captain's word, probing away relentlessly and giving the Irish very little at which to swing their arms. The same kind of tactics are needed against the West Indies; If they’re successful then there’s every chance for the hosts.
The West Indies have slipped below Bangladesh in the ODI rankings to ninth spot following defeats to Canada and Ireland while losing to nil in Series against Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Scores of 222 and 330 make good reading for the Windies seeing as the former score was against South Africa, a nation that boasts the bowling attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir; And a key batting order change in the shape of sending Kieron Pollard in at no.5 against Netherlands worked wonders with a 27 ball 60. Even better was Gayle's diligent 110-ball 80 against the Netherlands, given the control shown by such an explosive player.
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| Chris Gayle showed control, as well as versatility with his Century against the Dutch |
Bangladesh’s bowlers (their best two spinners, being left-armers, will be turning it into the likes of Gayle) will need to be at their peak – even with the pitch to help them – to stop him, and stopping him won’t necessarily be a game changer (Devon Smith too cracked out an impressive half century).
That’s not the only place with positive signs for the West Indies. Brilliant paceman Keymar Roach's hat-trick, with the first three balls of the 32nd over (his ninth), saw Pieter Sielaar and Bernard Loots beaten for pace and trapped lbw, before last man Berend Westdijk had his middle stump flattened in emphatic style, thus ending the game as a contest. He’ll be on a high, although the wicket at the Sher-e-Bangla won’t be as accommodating, having given the slow bowlers 11 wickets in the last game played here.
On the above, this game here is too tight to call but Bangladesh are the strong choice. They’ve kicked the losing habit only two reverses in their last 10 - hence their position above West Indies in the ICC rankings – and they can take down the Windies if posting a decent batting total and holding their discipline in the field.
Advice
2 pts Bangladesh to beat West Indies (15/8 Paddy Power, Stan James, Sportingbet)
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