Ardent WWE fanatics know about Royal Rumble, a widely watched pay-per-view event usually hosted in the last week of January. For the uninitiated, it is a Battle Royal traditionally consisting of 30 wrestlers where one eliminates others by tossing them over the top rope. The last person standing wins the contest.
The Royal Rumble is popular because it allows a new winner almost every year. The T20 World Cup has been almost the same. Since its inception in 2007, five different nations – India, Pakistan, England, West Indies (the only team winning twice), and Sri Lanka – have won the six editions. That makes the tournament even more exciting and thrilling.
The second match of Group B will take place at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on 17 October, between Bangladesh and Scotland. While Bangladesh are coming to this fixture after nine T20I wins this year, second-most after South Africa (12), Scotland had won both their warm-up matches, against the Netherlands and Namibia. Bangladesh had also played two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and Ireland. They lost both encounters.
Led by Mahmudullah, the most successful captain of the country in this format, Bangladesh are favourites to top Group B, which also includes Oman and Papua New Guinea. They recently thrashed Australia (4-1) and New Zealand (3-2) at home, although their history in this ICC event does not justify their calibre.
Bangladesh reached the Super 8s in 2007, but failed to win even a single match across the next three editions,in 2009, 2010, and 2012. Despite playing at home, 2014 turned out to be the same, as they lost all four games after qualifying in the Super 10s. The most heartbreaking sequence took place in 2016, where they needed to score two off the final three balls against India, ended up losing three wickets, and eventually getting knocked them out of the tournament.
In the absence of Tamim Iqbal, the onus will be on Shakib Al Hasan (who played the IPL final less than 48 hours ago), Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. Mohammad Naim and Liton Das, who have impressed in recent times, will open batting. Among the bowlers, Mustafizur Rahman will lead the pace attack, while Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan will be their key wicket-taking spinners.
The match will be Scotland's first World Cup appearance in five years (they did not qualify for the 2019 fifty-over World Cup). The Kyle Coetzer-led side last played against Hong Kong in 2016, where they enjoyed their first ever World Cup triumph.
Scotland have not got past the first round in any World Cup edition. They will hope that Richard Berrington, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, and Safyaan Sharif can take up the baton to break the deadlock.
Likely XIs
Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Liton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (c), Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Scotland: George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Alasdair Evans, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Wheal, Hamza Tahir.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Back Bangladesh. Sarkar can be a safe captain pick. Appoint Berrington vice-captain in your fantasy XI.
- Among wicketkeepers, include both Das and Cross. They can score quickly. Mushfiqur may be available among the batters. Do not ignore him either.
- Mustafizur, Shakib, Watt, Sharif are the must-have players in your lineup.
Prediction
Bangladesh should register a big-margin victory.
Blitzpools Fantasy Team
Matthew Cross, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Richie Berrington (vc), Kyle Coetzer, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Nasum Ahmed , Mustafizur Rahman.