Australia will lock horns with Bangladesh in their first Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda on Friday.
Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, have won all of their T20 World Cup matches so far including a thumping win against England in the group stage, they are surely in high spirits and would aim to begin their Super 8 campaign with a win.
Furthermore, they got a major boost as Marsh was given the green signal to bowl by their medical staff. With the skipper taking the ball as well, Australia will have Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa alongside him to wreak havoc with the ball for Bangladesh's batters.
Unlike Australia, Bangladesh tasted a defeat in the group stage against South Africa where they failed to chase the 114-run target in New York. However, the Tigers didn’t succumb to the pressure afterwards and won three of their four matches and paved their way to the tournament’s Super 8.
Led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh will be counting on experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to once again step up with the bat as well as the bowl while Mahmudullah will be one of their key performers down the order.
With the ball, the Tigers would require massive performances from Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahmanto to dismantle the strong Australian batting lineup consisting of the likes of Travis Head, David Warner and others.
Match time:
Local time: 8:30PM (June 20)
GMT: 12:30AM (June 21)
PST: 5:30AM (June 21)
Pitch report
So far, five matches have been played at the venue in the tournament and the team chasing emerged winners three times. While the surface will provide extra bounce to the pacers, the pitch overall supports the batters and a high-scoring match can be expected.
Likely Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman
Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc
Prediction
We will go with Australia continuing their win streak and defeat Bangladesh in a one-sided encounter.
