SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh enter Friday’s do-or-die second T20I against Australia at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram needing a victory to level the series. Following a four-wicket defeat in the opener, attention turns to whether skipper Litton Das will return to bolster a struggling batting unit. It will also remain to be seen whether Tigers will select speedsters Taskin Ahmed or Nahid Rana in spin-conducive conditions.

In the first match, Bangladesh’s batters failed to apply themselves as Australia’s spinners dictated terms, claiming all nine wickets in a T20I innings for the first time. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa and debutant Joel Davies took three wickets each, whilst Matt Renshaw claimed two.

Seeking to replicate their recent improved batting template from the New Zealand series in Chattogram, Bangladesh need more from openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Tamim, who both squandered decent starts last time out. If Litton remains absent, Soumya Sarkar will get the nod again but must adapt after falling into Australia’s boundary trap against the wind.

In-form batsman Tawhid Hridoy bears the responsibility of anchoring and accelerating the innings, provided the top order restrains the urge to recklessly hunt big shots on a 160–170 par pitch.

With the ball, debutant Abdul Gaffar Saqlain’s variations could prove vital after his two-wicket haul.

Meanwhile, spinners Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan must exploit the Chattogram conditions to replicate Australia’s success and draw the hosts level.