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Biggest match for Tigers today

Monday, 9 March 2015


While England need to win both their two remaining Group A games (the other is against Afghanistan) to have a chance of progressing to the quarter-final, Bangladesh need only one victory.
In this situation, Bangladesh will meet England at Adelaide at 9.30 am (Bangladesh time) today (Monday).
With Bangladsh's final game coming against New Zealand, this match represents their best chance to ensure qualification. Their captain Mashrafe Mortaza has described it as one of the biggest matches in Bangladesh's history of international cricket. They have never reached the knockout stages of the tournament.
England could win both games and still be eliminated if Bangladesh win that New Zealand contest. It is no exaggeration to suggest that jobs - especially those of the coach and the managing director of England cricket (Peter Moores and Paul Downton) - could be at stake if England fail to reach the quarter-finals. The Ashes were not moved with a view to being eliminated at the same time as Scotland and the UAE.
The days when England could be seen as overwhelming favourites in such contests are gone. Bangladesh have won two of the last three ODI matches between the sides, including their last meeting in the 2011 World Cup.
Bangladesh may well look to exploit a familiar England failing - a weakness against spin - while England look set to continue with a four-man pace attack and demand a fuller length from their bowlers in search of swing.
The pressure of the occasion may prove the biggest factor here, though. In reality, the outcome of this match may go a long way to defining how the sides view the success of their tournament. That England, thrashed by all three Full Member teams they have met in this tournament to date, have seen their expectations sink so low speaks volumes for their current plight.
As their greatest international wicket-taker, James Anderson's place in England's history is assured. But the World Cup remains a major stain on his record. In his fourth, and possibly last, tournament he has an average of 42.41 and has claimed just two wickets - both against Scotland.  
Recently promoted to No. 3, Mahmudullah, has good memories of playing against England. He was part of the unbroken stand of 58 for the ninth wicket that took Bangladesh to victory in the 2011 World Cup match in Chittagong and made his first World Cup half-century in the defeat of Scotland. He is also likely to play a part with his off-spin.
Imrul Kayes, called into the Bangladesh squad in recent days as a replacement for the injured Anamul Haque, could come straight into the side as an opener. Kayes made a half-century when Bangladesh defeated England in the 2011 Word Cup, but has failed to reach double-figures in his last four ODI innings.
Bangladesh are considering exploiting England's poor record as players of spin by including another specialist spinner - the left-armer Arafat Sunny. If Sunny plays, Soumya Sarkar may well retain his place as opener instead of Kayes as he would then fulfil the role of third seamer. Mortaza will play despite an on-going knee problem.
    — ESPNcricinfo