For a change, the playing conditions have not been easy for the batters in this series. Chasing modest totals of around 120 have been akin to chasing 200s on this pitch. With the series done and dusted, Bangladesh and Australia will be up against each other for one last time, on Monday.
Not much is at stake as Bangladesh would like to test some new names, while Australia have one last chance to impress the management ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. Mitchell Marsh is certainly going to be the first name on the team sheet, but the likes of Dan Christian, Alex Carey and Ashton Turner, among others, are yet not sure of spots.
After losing three successive matches, Australia finally chased down a target of 104 to register their first win on the tour. But they made a meal out of morsel, stretching the game up to the penultimate over. Christian’s 15-ball 39, including five sixes in an over off Shakib Al Hasan, proved to be the difference in the end.
Before that, Josh Hazlewood struck twice before Andrew Tye and Mitchell Swepson shard three wickets to restrict the hosts to 104/9. Hazlewood may be rested for the last encounter.
Bangladesh have not tweaked their playing XI so far in the series, but this is a great opportunity to test their bench strength. The likes of Taskin Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin might get a nod.
Soumya Sarkar has amassed a total of 12 runs across four T20Is. His lean patch will be a matter of concern. However, his opening partner Mohammad Naim top-scored in the last game to take his team to the face-saving total.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Load your fantasy XI with spinners from both sides. Shakib was expensive in the last game, he can be a decent option.
- Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan should not be overlooked. They will come quite handy on a slow, dubious Mirpur surface.
- Marsh has been terrific the whole summer. He should easily walk into your fantasy team.
Head to Head
Australia have played Bangladesh eight times in T20Is. They have won five times and lost thrice.
Likely XIs
Bangladesh: Mahmudullah (c), Nurul Hasan (wk), Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed.
Australia: Matthew Wade (c and wk), Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Andrew Tye.
Prediction
Australia to win the contest and make it 2-3.