Death, taxes, and Shami taking a five-wicket haul in an ICC ODI tournament

Also, notes on Hridoy, Jaker, India's bowling selections and Gill

Bangladesh decided to start the match by making everyone pine for Sri Lanka. In fact, had it not been for India’s boredom and starting to play with their own food, this match might have been over before lunch. But Bangladesh did fight back with an epic partnership that really just elongated their defeat. However, it did allow for their bowlers to have something to work with. Also, Mohammed Shami is still good at taking wickets in ODIs.

Shami’s striking

India have the greatest pairing of fast bowlers in ODI cricket ever. But sadly, not in this tournament because of Jasprit Bumrah’s injury. But if you look at these two in the same game, you will see just how different they are. Bumrah is a slightly above average taker of wickets, but 1.3 runs per over better on true economy, whereas Shami is perhaps the greatest strike bowler ever. That’s a handy duo.

Waqar Younis is the only other bowler who strikes at a similar record when adjusted for eras (outside of Ajantha Mendis’ brief career). Shami currently has the most wickets per match of anyone with 200 wickets.

But I think the really interesting thing is how much better he is in ICC events. Those are 18.3% of his matches, yet 29.7% of his victims have come then.

He has a wonderful record - one that any bowler would die for in bilateral ODIs. But he is perhaps four times greater when a trophy is on the line.