Buoyed by their historic ODI series victory over Australia, Bangladesh will look to carry the momentum into the shortest format when they take on the visitors in the opening match of the three-game T20 International series at Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today (Wednesday), reports BSS.
The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM local time.
Bangladesh secured the ODI series 2-1 after outplaying Australia for much of the three-match contest. While the triumph marked Bangladesh's maiden ODI series victory over the Australians, they had previously enjoyed success against them in T20 cricket.
Of the 11 T20 Internationals played between the two sides, Bangladesh have won four, all of which came during their memorable 4-1 series victory in Mirpur in 2021, the last T20I series contested between the teams.
Despite concerns over batting depth, Bangladesh captain Litton Das pinned hopes on the side's strong pace-bowling resources ahead of the series.
The hosts possess an impressive pace attack featuring Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and emerging fast bowler Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Except for Gaffar, all were part of the ODI squad and played key roles in Bangladesh's successful campaign against Australia.
"It is good that the pace bowling is very strong. You can play anyone in the best XI. It is a good competition. It is also good for the Bangladesh team that the bench is getting stronger," Litton said.
Litton said the confidence to expect for another series victory stemmed from their ODI series win.
"Not only did we win the series, we played very good cricket in all three matches. This is an added bonus. Of course, the format is different, our team is different, their team is also different."
"One good thing is that most of our players have played in ODIs. Everyone has confidence. But we have to play very good cricket on a certain day," he said.
Australia, meanwhile, avoided a series whitewash with a hard-fought one-wicket victory in the third ODI after losing the opening two matches.
The visitors have been boosted by the return of regular captain Mitchell Marsh, who missed the ODI series due to an ankle injury.
Australia have also included all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary in their T20 squad.
If selected in the playing XI, he could become the first Indian-born male cricketer to represent Australia in more than six decades.
Chaudhary was brought into the squad amid the continued absence of Travis Head, who has been granted personal leave after initially being named in Australia's limited-overs squads for the Bangladesh tour.
AFP adds, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh is backing his revamped side in the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh after the visitors suffered a bitter 2-1 defeat in their one-day internationals.
Marsh arrived in Chattogram leading a significantly different squad from the one that featured in the ODIs, with several senior T20 specialists drafted in.
"We've got a big changeover in personnel, and the guys are really looking forward to this series," Marsh told reporters on the eve of the opening T20.
"It's been a tough tour, but we're going in with high hopes, to hopefully win this series -- and play some really good cricket," he said.
Marsh, who missed the earlier Pakistan series and the Bangladesh ODIs through injury, returns to lead the team.
Power-hitter Tim David and all-rounder Aaron Hardie strengthen the touring party, while uncapped all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary joins the squad.
Australia struggled against Bangladesh's pace-heavy attack in the ODIs, losing the first two matches before salvaging some pride with a narrow win in the final match in Mirpur.
Marsh said the return of experienced campaigners gives his side better balance, singling out David for praise as "experienced and really confident in his ability".
Bangladesh have their own selection headaches.
Captain Litton Das remains in doubt for Wednesday's opener after sustaining a muscle tear in the final ODI, while Parvez Hossain Emon is being monitored for a fever.
Left-hander Soumya Sarkar is set to join the squad.
"I am better than I was before," Litton said, adding that he hoped to play.
The remaining T20s will be held in Chattogram on June 19 and 21.
Squad
Bangladesh: Litton Das (Captain), Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Shamim Patwari, Towhid Hridoy (Vice Captain), Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Soumya Sarkar
Australia: Mitchell Marsh(c), Xavier Bartlett, Nikhil Chaudhary, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw and Adam Zampa.
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