So good was England’s six-wicket win over the Windies on Saturday that afterwards skipper Eoin Morgan said the performance was as “good as it gets”.
An incredible start to our campaign!
#T20WorldCup | #EnglandCricket
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 23, 2021
No-one should be getting carried away yet but there are signs this England team can emulate the 50 over side by being crowned world champions in the shortest format of the game.
England Impress
Going into the tournament, it was thought England were behind at least India and probably Pakistan as those likely to lift the trophy, but such was the dismantling of the West Indies – the reigning champions don’t forget – that plenty have changed their opinion.
Certainly, the bookies feel Bangladesh will be no match for Morgan’s side in Abu Dhabi. England are 1/5 to win, Bangladesh are 59/20 and it would be a big surprise if it’s anything other than an England victory in the Group 1 clash.
There may be some rotation in the squad for the game, although top-order batters Jos Buttler, Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow should all keep their places. If we’re being picky, the fact Morgan’s side lost four wickets in their chase on Saturday for such a low total of 56 to win might worry a few people, but the result was obviously never in doubt and it was telling Buttler finished on 24 not out. The Lancashire big-hitter could well be the star man for his country this autumn and looks solid value at 5/2 to be his side’s top-scorer once again.
Al Hasan the Obvious Threat
Bangladesh squeezed into the Super 12s stage after losing to Scotland before recovering to beat minnows Papua New Guinea and Oman and they can be a threat on their day. They are ranked eighth in the ICC T20 world rankings – ahead of Sri Lanka and West Indies – so England will not be dismissing them lightly, while all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is in fine form, being named man of the match in their last two games after once again demonstrating his ability with both the bat and ball.
Early Stages
The Super 12s may still be in its early stages but the tournament has already thrown up plenty of stories. Pakistan were able to celebrate a long-overdue win over old rivals India in their opener, while Australia just about edged past South Africa in a tense first game.
Sadly for Scotland, their first-ever Super 12s campaign got off to a disappointing start when they went down to a 130-run defeat to Afghanistan and the Scots have plenty of work to do to ensure they are not outclassed from here on the big stage.
*All odds correct at time of writing