Bangladesh will be out to upstage the world champions again after sharing an ODI series. Once again, the surface is likely to be a tricky one rather than a classic T20 belter.
Bangladesh vs England | First T20I | Thursday 9 March 2023 | Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram | 11:00
To Win Match
Bangladesh 39/20 | Tie 25/1 England 42/100
Shakib Al Hasan showed he can still turn matches right around almost completely singlehandedly with a great showing in the second and final ODI.
In T20 cricket, Shakib is the captain and should prove to be the inspirational leader even if his scope to impact the game with the ball is slightly diminished.
With BPL stars knocking on the door of this side there is plenty of pressure and competition for places.
Taijul Islam’s strangle job could be the roadblock that stops England dead in their tracks in Chattogram.
England are using this tour as Cricket World Cup prep, but they will still want to take this T20I series after sharing honours in the fifty-over matches.
Dawid Malan was in great form and gets another chance to impress in the T20 arena, where he has been Mr Consistency.
SA20 stars Will Jacks and Phil Salt are present in the squad, with both carrying decent enough form into this match.
According to sources from the England camp, Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is set to make his T20I debut at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Verdict: England 42/100
England should have the firepower to get the job done here, but the surface could well be the great equaliser for the hosts.
