The Perennial upsetters of Cricket are set to feature in the World Cup for the 7th time. The Bangla Tigers have found World Cup as their favorable platform to stage upsets, as their first win against top teams in ODI cricket came in World Cup 1999 against Pakistan, where they defended 223 runs against a star studded Pakistan team, to win the match by 62 runs. From thereon, Bangladesh have been producing unpredictable results in World Cup cricket, be it defeating India in World Cup 2007, which resulted in an early exit for India or be it snatching Quarter Final spot from England in 2015.
While Bangladesh have performed so-so in World Cup cricket, a significant and memorable performance is still elusive for them. Will the World Cup 2023, which will be played in somewhere familiar conditions for them, prove to be a notable tournament for them? Let’s try to find out!
Squad-
Shakib Al Hasan (Cap), Musfiq Rahim (wk), Litton Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafiz Rehman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Tanzid Tamim, Mahmudullah Riyad
Squad Analysis-
A fine blend of experience and youth, Bangladesh will look towards captain Shakib Al Hasan and Musfiqur Rahim, who will be playing in their fifth World Cup, to take onus of batting front. Mahmudullah Riyad who found delayed entry in the scheme of things for the World Cup, will play his trade at the World Cup for the fourth time. He is likely to play the role of a finisher at number 7 and roll his arm for a few overs with the ball.
Experience of Tamim Iqbal at the top will be missed after the southpaw was dramatically dropped from the squad. It will be interesting to see if Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored a brilliant hundred opening the innings in recently concluded Asia Cup, will pair Litton Das at the top, or Nazmul Hossain Shanto who has been batting at number 3 off late, will join Das to open the innings.
As mentioned above, Bangladesh will relish the luxury of spin bowling all rounders who are crucial in these conditions. Mustafizur Rehman’s IPL experience can come handy, while young guns Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud have been bowling well lately, to form a fine pace attack for Bangladesh.
Expected XI-
Litton Das
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Nazmul Hossain Shanto
Shakib Al Hasan (C)
Towhid Hridoy
Mushfiq Rahim (WK)
Mahmudullah Riyad
Mahedi Hasan
Taskin Ahmed
Shoriful Islam
Mustafizur Rehman
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Strength-
Among all formats of the game, ODI is the format where Bangladesh have shown great progress, especially in Asian Conditions. Since 1 Jan 2015, their W/L ratio is pretty close to 1 in Asia, where they have registered victories against all the teams participating in the World Cup, except Netherlands and Australia. Both Netherlands and Australia have not faced Bangladesh in Asia in the above mentioned period. In fact, Bangladesh have won more matches than lose against India, Pakistan, South Africa and Afghanistan.
Another strength for Bangladesh is the abundance of allrounders who bowl spin, which can be crucial in conditions the World Cup is set to be played. Likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, who all bowl spin, can provide much needed balance to the playing XI.
Weakness-
Otherwise a balanced side, Bangladesh lack when it comes to bat with higher strike rates. Among all 10 teams who will take part in World Cup 2023, Bangladesh have the worst batting strike rate overall. In India, where conditions can be batting friendly more often than not, which will result in big scores by opponents, Bangladesh may face difficulty to catch on with lesser batting strike rate.
Players to watch out for-
Shakib Al Hasan-
Arguably the best all rounder in white ball cricket will probably have the last shot at the World Cup. With all the experience Shakib has, Bangladesh fans would dearly want Shakib to play at his best if they want to have a good time at the World Cup.
7384 runs with the bat and 308 wickets will ball in 240 matches, with 9 100s and 4 five wicket hauls, Shakib is an all-rounder in true sense, who can turn the match on his head. Only problem for Shakib is that he has not played an ODI match on Indian soil since 2006, but he has been featuring in IPL, so being familiar with the conditions should not be a problem for him.
With a batting average of 45.84 and bowling average of 35.94 at the World Cup, Shakib will look to polish his batting numbers and improve bowling stats.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto-
Shanto will enter into World Cup with 2 centuries and 4 half centuries in the last 12 innings in ODI cricket. He was in top nick in the Asia Cup where he had scored 193 runs in 2 games before an injury compelled him to sit out for the rest of the tournament. But, he made a cracking comeback in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand, where he produced a fine knock of 76 out of team total 171 in the final ODI.
Shanto has the ability to play long innings and is likely to play a crucial role in the batting works of Bangladesh.
Fixtures for Bangladesh in CWC 2023-
- vs Afghanistan in Dharamsala, Oct 7
- vs England in Dharamsala, Oct 10
- vs New Zealand in Chennai, Oct 13
- vs India in Pune, Oct 19
- vs South Africa in Mumbai, Oct 24
- vs Netherlands in Kolkata, Oct 28
- vs Pakistan in Kolkata, Oct 31
- vs Sri Lanka in Delhi, Nov 6
- vs Australia Pune, Nov 11
Chances of Bangladesh at the CWC 2023-
Bangladesh will need to punch above their weight if they want to have a good tournament. Their strength is their spin bowling all rounders who may not be flying high when they face someone like England at Dharamsala, India in Pune, South Africa at Mumbai, Pakistan at Kolkata , and Australia at Pune. On the other hand they can fancy their chances when they meet New Zealand in Chennai where conditions could be a lot similar to what in Bangladesh. In Delhi, a close fight between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka can be expected. A stern test is certainly waiting for Bangladesh.
Interesting facts and stats about Bangladesh Team
- With 16 more wickets, Shakib Al Hasan will become highest wicket taker in ODI cricket among Left arm spinners, surpassing Sanath Jayasuirya.
- Since the last World Cup, Bangladesh bowlers have the best bowling average among participating nations- 27.81
- Last time Bangladesh played an ODI match on Indian soil was back in 2006.
