The Tigers are ready to roar in the T20 World Cup 2021 as they will start their campaign against Scotland at Al Amerat Stadium in Muscat Sunday. The first match is always tough in any tournament, particularly in a mega event like this as it can set the tone for the next few matches. Bowling unit has performed well in recent months but few of the Tigers batsmen are not in great form. Here are three talking points before the opening game of Bangladesh and Scotland.
Openers need to score runs
Bangladesh opening pair is not getting explosive starts as they played on slow and low pitches in the last 10 T20Is at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Three openers - Liton Das, Mohammad Naim and Soumya Sarker - are in the side as openers. Liton and Naim got some runs in one of the three practice matches and Soumya also scored a few runs in the warm-up games which can lift his confidence. It is likely that Liton will be one of the openers and either Soumya or Naim will open the innings for the Tigers in the first game. Management has a plan to play these three players as well. Liton-Naim or Liton-Soumya, whichever opening pair is chosen, the openers need to give the team a solid start.
Shakib as a batsman
Shakib al Hasan’s batting order is in No 3 position, which is a very crucial spot in any form of cricket. Shakib has batted in this position in the shorter formats prior to the 2109 World Cup and scored a lot of runs. And later he had a stellar 2019 World Cup with the bat at No 3. But in the last two years, Shakib had ups and downs in his career, including some off-the-field controversies and since his return to international cricket this year, he has not been at his near best with the bat. So it will be paramount for Shakib and most importantly for the Tigers to see him back among the runs from the beginning of the tournament.
Mushfiq’s off form
Mushfiqur Rahim is often considered as the backbone of the Tigers batting line-up. He has been a consistent run-scorer for the Tigers over the years in No 4 position. But the experienced campaigner is struggling for form in recent times, which is a major talking point ahead of the first game. Mushfiq scored just 56 runs in his last seven T20 innings and is not looking confident, if the three warm-up games are anything to go by. If Mushfiq gets a good start in the first game or scores a big innings in the qualifiers, then it will release some pressure on him. So Mushfiq’s batting is crucial for the Tigers in the Scotland match.
