ENG vs BAN Live Score: Defending Champions England are all set to lock horns with Bangladesh in Match 7 of the ODI World Cup 2023. However, the start to their title defense was not ideal as they were outclassed by New Zealand right in the very first fixture of the tournament. That loss was the eye-opener for the confident England team who thought no one was as good as them. But as England is famous for bouncing back from failures they will try & seal a gleaming win in their next fixture against Bangladesh. On the other hand, the Bangla Tigers have kick-started their campaign with a convincing win & will try & come hard at England in their second fixture of the tournament as well.
ENG vs BAN Teams Preview
England Preview:
England’s campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023 started with an unexpected stumble against New Zealand in Ahmedabad. Struggling to post a modest total of 282-9 on a flat pitch, England watched in dismay as New Zealand achieved victory with nearly 14 overs to spare and nine wickets in hand.
However, one loss does not tarnish England’s reputation as a strong ODI side. Their dismal performance in the opener is seen as an anomaly, and they are expected to mount a formidable comeback in the tournament.
In their batting arsenal, keep a close eye on Dawid Malan. The left-handed opener boasts an impressive record of 416 runs in his last seven matches at an average of nearly 70. Moreover, he has a stellar average of 62.50 against Bangladesh in ODIs, making him a potential thorn in the Tigers’ side.
Jos Buttler is a constant threat in the middle order, known for his aggressive batting. He has been in prime form, accumulating 330 runs in his last eight matches at an average of 41.25 and a striking strike rate of 114.58. The potential return of Ben Stokes, who missed the first match due to injury, could bolster the middle order and provide much-needed stability. Liam Livingstone’s ability to clear the boundary against spinners is a valuable asset, especially against Bangladesh’s spin-heavy attack.
England’s bowling, however, appears to lack that X-factor this time. While Adil Rashid remains their go-to spin bowler, this pitch is expected to offer more assistance to England’s pacers. Chris Woakes and Mark Wood are expected to exploit these conditions and pose a significant challenge to the Bangladeshi top order.
England Predicted Playing XI:
Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook/Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Key Players from Previous Game:
- Batsmen: Joe Root (77 runs), Jos Buttler (43 runs), Jonny Bairstow (33 runs)
- Bowlers: Sam Curran (1 wicket)
Bangladesh Preview:
Bangladesh couldn’t have asked for a better start to their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. They comprehensively defeated Afghanistan at Dharamsala, bowling them out for a mere 156 and chasing down the target within 35 overs with six wickets in hand.
The catalyst for Bangladesh’s success was its spinners. Captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scalped three wickets each at excellent economy rates. Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam also chipped in with 2 wickets.
Bangladesh’s spinners have adapted well to the conditions and are expected to pose a considerable challenge to England’s batsmen on this surface. Moreover, fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who has taken 12 wickets in his last six matches, is poised to extract significant bounce and movement from the pitch.
In the batting department, Bangladesh will look to Najmul Hossain Shanto to continue his fine form. He has been their most consistent batsman, accumulating 339 runs in his last five matches at an impressive average of 84.75. In the previous game, he top-scored with an unbeaten 59 off 83 balls.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz is another batsman to watch out for. The all-rounder’s confidence is growing with every game, and his crucial knock of 57 in the chase against Afghanistan highlighted his potential.
The experienced Shakib Al Hasan may come into play with the bat if there is a top-order collapse. In their last ODI World Cup encounter, Shakib’s outstanding century led Bangladesh to victory.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:
Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Key Players from Previous Game:
- Batsmen: Najmul Hossain Shanto (59 runs), Mehidy Hasan (57 runs), Shakib Al Hasan (14 runs)
- Bowlers: Shakib Al Hasan (3 wickets), Mehidy Hasan (3 wickets), Shoriful Islam (2 wickets)
ENG vs BAN Pitch and Weather Conditions:
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala provides consistent assistance to seam bowlers. The pitch offers bounce and movement, especially with the new ball. Spinners also benefit from the bounce, as witnessed in the previous game. While batting isn’t straightforward, once set, batsmen can make substantial scores.
The average first-innings score at this venue is 204, emphasizing that it is not a high-scoring ground. Teams batting first have been dismissed for less than 200 on three occasions in just five completed games. The team batting first should target a total in the range of 260-270 runs.
Toss: To Bowl or Not to Bowl?
Teams batting second have emerged victorious in four out of five games played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, including the most recent match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan in this tournament. It is highly likely that the toss-winning team in this match will opt to field first.
ENG vs BAN Match Prediction:
England and Bangladesh have squared off in four ICC ODI World Cup encounters, with each team winning twice. In overall ODIs, England holds a 19-5 head-to-head record against Bangladesh.
Expect a fiercely contested battle, as Bangladesh’s spinners aim to trouble England’s batsmen, who are getting accustomed to the conditions. However, England’s seam bowling unit is likely to fare better on this pitch, and the potential return of Ben Stokes will strengthen their side.
While Bangladesh has the potential to surprise, the overall balance and strength of the two squads favor England in this contest.
Prediction: England to Win
Also read, SZN vs MGW Live Score, Match 15, KCC T10 Challengers Cup
