Bangladesh vs England 1st ODI Prediction

If ENG Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 280

In the absence of Alex Hales, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, England will depend on the likes of Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali when it's their turn with the bat. With scores of 93 and 70 against Sri Lanka, an unbeaten 90 against Pakistan and now an unbeaten 80 in the warm-up game, skipper Jos Buttler seems to be undergoing a sensational form and he could very well go on to score the most runs for England in the first ODI. A strong start from the top order will allow Buttler to play his natural game and take the team's total to 280 or beyond.

The English batsmen will be up against Taskin Ahmed and Mashrafe Mortaza at the start of their innings. Taskin bowled exceptionally well against Afghanistan and he will be backed by the team to break the opening partnership early on. However, the biggest threat is more likely to come from left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan who could end up with the best bowling figures for Bangladesh. If he is able to exploit the conditions well, England will find it difficult to reach the predicted score.

Ban vs Eng Head-to-Head in ODIs

A total of 16 ODIs have been played between the two teams of which only 3 have been won by Bangladesh and the rest by England.

Bangladesh and England have played two one-day internationals at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in the past and both of them have been won by the visiting side.

Our Prediction

Bangladesh have been absolutely clinical at home in the 50-overs format with wins in their last six bilateral series against some of the toughest oppositions like Pakistan, India and South Africa. Though they looked rusty against Afghanistan, they won the series nevertheless and will be keen to extend their winning form when they take on England.

England have also been very good themselves in ODIs since the last year or so, having won four of their previous six bilateral series. They were beaten only by Australia and South Africa and that too by a small margin of 3-2 in each of the 5-match series. 

The last time England toured Bangladesh in 2010, they whitewashed the hosts in the three-match ODI series. But this time around, they are coming with a depleted batting firepower which has narrowed the gap between the two teams.

Bangladesh certainly do have the advantage of playing in conditions favorable to them and they could give England a really tough fight. But we feel that the latter still have a better chance to win this first one-dayer.