The T20 World Cup Super Eights stage will explode into life with a fascinating clash between tournament favourites Australia and a determined Bangladesh side on Friday, scheduled to start at 6:30 a.m. Bangladesh time.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has called for a dramatic improvement from his batsmen after a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign. Two games on spin-friendly pitches in St Vincent and an inconsistent New York deck haven't yielded the big scores they crave. Their sole recent success against the Aussies came on turning tracks in Dhaka three years ago, and their World Cup record against them is far from rosy.
The key for Bangladesh might lie with their bowling attack. Left-arm quick Mustafizur Rahman, tormenting the world with his cutters at an eye-watering average of just 7.71 this tournament, will be crucial. He'll need all his skill and guile to unsettle a rampant Australian batting line-up.
Australia's David Warner is licking his lips at the prospect of a truer batting surface in Antigua compared to the ones they've encountered so far. He expects Bangladesh to adjust their bowling lengths accordingly, but remains confident Australia have a clear understanding of their opponents' tactics.
Bangladesh's famed left-arm spin production line might not be as potent on this pitch, but their gamble on wrist-spinner Rishad could pay dividends. The 21-year-old has impressed with seven wickets at a miserly economy rate, and the Aussies, having only faced one frontline leg-spinner all tournament, could be vulnerable.
While Bangladesh haven't set the tournament alight with the bat, their bowling attack, particularly Rishad, presents an interesting challenge for the Australians. David Warner admits none of his team have faced the youngster before, adding a touch of intrigue to this high-stakes encounter.
The odds are stacked against Bangladesh, but with a more batsman-friendly pitch and a potentially game-changing weapon in Rishad, they have the potential to spring a surprise. Australia, however, remain the clear favourites, and their quest for a clean sweep of World Cup titles gathers pace under the Caribbean sunshine.
