Dhaka – Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey believes that Bangladesh can stun them when they meet at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Thursday.
According to Carey, it is Bangladesh’s batting line-up that is causing concern for the defending champions.
Australia have won four out of five matches that they have played in the World Cup so far. Their only setback came against India.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, won two of their five matches in the event. They lost two games and the one against Sri Lanka was washed out due to rain. While Australia have secured eight points, Bangladesh have earned five so far.
Carey, who hit an unbeaten 55 against India, said on Wednesday that Australia are thinking about how to prevent Shakib Al Hasan from scoring easily. At the same time, they are trying to find out a way to go after Liton Das as well.
“I think Shakib is having his best time in white ball cricket now. We have to find it out which lines and lengths are perfect to bowl against him. At the same time, we have to understand the condition well,” he told the media before the clash against Tigers.
Shakib is at the top of the list of scoring most runs in the World Cup so far with 384 from four matches. He struck two wonderful centuries and two fifties along the way. The left-handed all-rounder also scalped five wickets as well.
Carey thinks not just Shakib but Australia need to be aware of other Bangladeshi batsmen too.
“Bangladesh are playing a very good brand of cricket now. Especially Shakib is doing well. But we have to look at the other batsmen as well. As we have seen Liton Das did really well in the previous game,” he said.
Bangladesh faced Australia 20 times in ODI but won only once. Both teams faced each other in the World Cups twice, and on both occasions, Australia outclassed the Tigers.
But this time around, Bangladesh are equipped well to take on the Aussies. They have some experienced players like Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad. At the same time, young payers like Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Saifuddin can also ruin Australia’s plan if they can execute themselves on a proper manner.UNB
