Big picture: More experimentation for Australia
Bangladesh ended up withdrawing from the previous T20 World Cup so, providing they qualify, it will be four years between appearances for them. Since missing the tournament they have played one series where they drew 1-1 with New Zealand. They have kept the fast-bowling attack together that caused Australia plenty of problems in the ODIs, with Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana – who has only one T20I cap to his name – all part of the squad.
Form guide
Bangladesh LWWWL(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia WLLWL
In the spotlight: Shoriful Islam and Spencer Johnson
Team news: Pace squeeze for Bangladesh
Bangladesh could go with Mustafizur, Taskin and Rana in their T20I line-up, but can they leave out Shoriful? Soumya Sarkar has been added to the squad as cover for captain Litton Das who is an uncertain starter after the leg injury which forced him to retire hurt in the final ODI. Parvez Hossain is also 50-50 due to illness.
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Saif Hassan, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Parvez Hossain Emon, 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Shoriful Islam/Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Nahid Rana
There are a number of ways Australia could make up their XI. After his stunning ODI century, Connolly may remain at the top of the order. Chaudhary or Davies, uncapped allrounders, could be in line for a debut.
Australia (possible): 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt) , 2 Josh Inglis (wk), 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Tim David, 5 Matt Renshaw, 6 Aaron Hardie, 7 Nikhil Chaudhary/Joel Davies, 8 Xavier Bartlett, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Spencer Johnson, 11 Adam Zampa
Pitch and conditions: Afternoon rain a threat
The sides batting first have averaged 159 in Chattogram in the last 12 months. The last three teams batting first haven’t won. Weather-wise, there’s afternoon rain in the forecast.
