When the 2019 World Cup started, England, the favorites were expected to have an easy match against Bangladesh. Not anymore, Bangladesh has turned out to be giant killers. First, they beat South Africa in their opening game and then they almost won against the Kiwis. So England surely can’t take Bangladesh lightly.
After losing the previous game against Pakistan, the England team seems to be in a panic mood. Even though their batting has clicked in both the games, bowling is still a worry. It looks like their bowlers have no plan B when the opposing team goes after their bowling. Jofra Archer, their strike bowler, went for 79 in his ten overs. England think tank needs to work upon this weak link.
Bangladesh shouldn’t be disappointed after losing the match against New Zealand. They gave them a terrific fight and almost pulled out a win. The good thing about them is that they are no more minnows. Their batting is still their strongest point, and they should go all guns blazing against England’s weakest link of this World Cup. Bangladesh still needs to improve on their fielding, and they can’t keep dropping the dollies.
Bangladesh has won the last two clashes against England in World Cup and would be hoping to make a hat-trick on Saturday. The weather forecast is bright and shiny for Cardiff. The pitch could help the seamers as it has been undercover due to rain on the previous day.
Players to watch out:
Joe Root, the mainstay of English batting order, has the most number of runs (158) in the current edition. He scored the first hundred of the World Cup in the previous game and has a fifty on his name in the opening match against the Proteas. England would be hoping another excellent display from his willow, and if he clicks, England will surely score big.
Shakib Al Hasan, just like Root, is the mainstay for Bangladesh in this World Cup. He scored a half-century in both the matches and the second highest scorer after Root. His spin will play a vital role as English batsmen always been vulnerable against the spin bowling.
England v Bangladesh in ODIs:
Overall: Matches 20, England Won 16, Bangladesh Won 4
World Cup: Matches 3, England won 1, Bangladesh won 2
Recent Form (most recent first): England L W W W W, Bangladesh L W W W W
ICC Rankings: England (1), Bangladesh (7)
Upcoming Records:
Eoin Morgan has scored 360 runs in World Cup and needs 140 more to reach the 500 runs milestone in the World Cup.
Mahmudullah has scored 463 runs in World Cup and needs 37 more to reach the 500 runs milestone in the World Cup.
Mark Wood has taken 45 wickets and needs five more to become the 29th England player to reach the 50 wickets milestone.
Shakib has taken 26 wickets in World Cup and needs four more to become the 1st Bangladeshi bowler to reach the 30 wickets milestone in the World Cup
Squads:
England: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Abu Jayed, Liton Das (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal.
