India have looked unstoppable in the Asia Cup so far, brushing aside opponents with authority, including a dominant performance against Pakistan. For Bangladesh, who face them next in the Super Four, settling on the right XI is proving to be a tricky call. Liton Das’s side will likely want to field their strongest combination, but at least one change appears unavoidable.
The biggest talking point is Shariful Islam’s place. The left-arm quick struggled badly in the opening Super Four game against Sri Lanka, failing to make any impact, and is expected to miss out. His likely replacement is Tanzim Hasan Sakib, whose pace and aggression could trouble India.
Sakib has a particularly impressive record against Abhishek Sharma, India’s in-form opener who often sets the platform for the rest of the batting line-up. In two T20I meetings so far, Sakib has dismissed Abhishek both times, conceding just eight runs. With seven wickets in three T20Is against India overall, Sakib seems almost certain to feature.
Bangladesh’s batting order is unlikely to see much tinkering after they successfully chased 169 in their last outing. But the spin department presents a dilemma: Rishad Hossain or Nasum Ahmed?
Rishad’s numbers against India don’t inspire confidence. In four matches, the legspinner has gone for nearly 14 an over while picking up only five wickets, two of which came against lower-order batters. Nasum, meanwhile, has never played a T20I against India, but his left-arm spin could test their right-handers. Given the need for control, the management may lean towards Nasum.
With India’s batting depth their biggest strength, Bangladesh are unlikely to sacrifice a bowler for an extra batter like Nurul Hasan or Parvez Hossain Emon. That means just one change looks likely.
Probable Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hasan, Liton Das (c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain Patowary, Sheikh Mahedi, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
