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After losing their opening games, both Bangladesh and Australia now find themselves in a position where they must win their next game or go to the brink of elimination.On one hand, having won 5 of their last 7 games, Bangladesh are the team in better form in the T20Is -albeit morally drained after the suspension of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny. On the other hand, Australia have just one win in their last 7 T20I games and it shows that they really don’t take this format as seriously as ODI and Tests. Still, all that said, Australia are the better team and, despite their atrocious form in the shortest format of the game, come into the game as favourites to beat the Tigers.However, what if both these teams merged? Which players would have made the cut? We didn’t leave anything to the imagination. Here is our combined eleven from the two countries:
#1 Tamim Iqbal
This is a no-brainer, really. The man is in the form of his life, having scored a century in his last game against Oman, and got a good start against Pakistan chasing a mammoth total of 201.
His 83 not-out against the Netherlands made the difference in that game. Similarly, his blazing 47 was a treat to watch even if it didn’t lead to a win. And finally, his absolutely terrific knock against Oman displayed the class he possesses.
Tamim was always a talented player, arguably the most talented in the team. If one looks at his career dismissals, they will realise that most of the time, he just threw his wicket away with rash shots. Nowadays, however, he plays with a calm head over his shoulder and the rewards are being reaped by the team.
#2 Aaron Finch
He might not have been selected in the playing XI in the last game, but he remains one of Australia’s most dangerous batsmen who can get a chance against Bangladesh after the former’s disastrous batting against the Kiwis.
His numbers in this format are just mind blowing. He has 916 runs in 26 games and his average stands at a mammoth 39.82—something that is incredible for this format. What is even more electrifying is his strike-rate as he plays at a blistering pace of 152.92 per 100 balls to make himself a force to be reckoned with.
With Bangladesh going through a tough time with suspensions to their bowlers Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed, Australia will be looking to take the advantage by throwing him in the fray.
#3 Shane Watson
Shane Watson is one of Australia’s most important players now. However, it wasn’t so long ago that he was dubbed as the talent that got wasted.
It was in the very first version of the IPL that he resurrected his career with his stellar all-round performances for Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals, in a tournament the latter won—much thanks to this Aussie’s performances.
Australian fans might be hoping that Watson helps his team to glory like he did with Rajasthan Royals. The classy batsman scores at a strike rate of over 140 in T20Is and has 1379 runs in 53 innings with an average of 28.14. His bowling stats are respectful as well, as he 44 wickets in 46 innings under his belt.
#4 David Warner
If this was an all-star XI for T20Is, he would be still be in it—such is his power with the bat. As a player in the shortest format, his unreal strength and ability to find the boundary at regular intervals is something that the Baggies cherish and rely on.
And he is a man in form. He might not have had a good match against New Zealand, but on his day, he can single-handedly win them games.
With 1601 runs in 58 innings, he is among the highest run scorers in the international T20 scene. His average is also very healthy 29, making him one of the most consistent players in world cricket.
#5 Sabbir Rahman
Another star on the rise, Sabbir Rahman has been one of the most consistent players in the team since his arrival, so much that he has cemented his spot as the number three in ODIs.
His best ability is his confidence and the way he builds an innings. As a number three, he is like a pillar on which the team’s innings stand. Indeed, a closer look at the stats reveals that Bangladesh’s top three scores 60% of their runs in T20Is, further testifying his importance.
His numbers in T20Is are incredible as well. With an average of 33.06, he has scored 529 runs in 21 innings at a strike-rate of 122.17, making him a must-have for almost any team.
#6 Shakib al Hasan
There is no reasoning needed to justify his selection in the team. He is currently the best all-rounder in the world and would walk into any team on any given day.
His addition to any team is like having two players simultaneously as he is equally good with both and the ball. He might have his fits of rage every now and then, something that gets him into trouble quite often, but that doesn’t undermine his abilities as a player.
In the shortest international format of the game, he has 996 runs — second highest by any Bangladeshi player — in just 50 innings, with a tremendous average of 23.16 and a quick strike-rate of 122.20. His bowling stats are even better as he has taken 69 wickets in 50 innings with an economy rate of under seven. A truly world class player in every sense.
#7 Glenn Maxwell
He might not be in optimum form. Heck, he might not even be consistent. But the one thing that can’t be denied about him is that he is a match-winner—someone who can win you games from near-impossible situations.
One can look at his stats and know that he stands out on one particular area: his aggression. Batting at a strike-rate of 155 in every 100 balls, he can really turn the tide of the game in which he finds his groove.
In 27 innings, he has 524 runs at an average of a mere 21.83—nothing special, but he is not about averages, he is about that one game where he breaks all hell lose and shows the wrath of the titans to the world.
#8 Mushfiqur Rahim
This was a hard choice. The wicketkeepers of both these teams are struggling for form. However, with experience at his side, Mushfiqur gets the nod ahead of Nevil. The former Bangladeshi skipper is a classy batsman who, many argue, shouldn’t be playing T20s.
His stats in the international scene also suggest the same. With just 677 runs in 46 innings, at a bleak average of 17.81, he is certainly not someone who could be classified to play a big innings in the shortest format of the game.
However, a look at his domestic averages in this version will say another story. With a strike rate of 120+ and average of 25.69, he shows that he is indeed capable of playing a knock that could change the game in his team’s favour. And Bangladesh will be hoping for just that.
#9 James Faulkner
A very good bowler and more than a handy batsman, James Faulkner is that lower-order bowling all-rounder that completes a team in T20s. Even when a lot of wickets have fallen for the Kangaroos, they rely on him to get them to a good score or over the line when chasing.
He is also someone in good form. In the 16 T20I matches that he has played in his career, he has taken 21 wickets in 16 games at an average of 21.90. The bonus part—his batting—is also great as he can score some very quick runs to help his team.
#10 Nathan Coulter-Nile
Hyphenated names are always cool, but Coulter-Nile is cooler because he is a talented bowler. Well, yeah, the previous sentence might not make much sense, but the important fact is that Nathan Coulter-Nile is a bowler on whose shoulder Australia can keep their hopes.
Even though the Kangaroos don’t seem to take this format seriously, they certainly have the players to succeed here and Coulter-Nile is one such player. With Starc out injured, the main responsibility to perform falls on him.
His stats and form are respectable as well. He has taken 20 wickets in 14 games at an average of just over 20 and remains the go-to bowler for the Baggie Greens.
#11 Mustafizur Rahman
Left-arm pacers are the trend now. When Mitchell Starc came into the scene, he exploded. Similarly, Mohammed Amir came in all-guns-blazing with his wrath. And then there is this guy: Mustafizur Rahman.
Despite having played only nine ODIs in 2015, he was voted into the team of the year — it just works as a testament to his impact on the team. His stats are something dreams are made of. In none of the formats does his bowling average go above 19 and economy rate above six.
Indeed, his average in T20I is 17, but the best part is his economy rate of 5.61 — something that borders on magical in the shortest format of the game. His slower ones are almost unreadable and have got him a lot of wickets.
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