Heading into World T20 there is some serious question about Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is appearing in their third consecutive qualifiers. Many will envy their chances to reach the next round in super 12 at best. The major objective of Russell Domingo’s side could be to improve their record in World T20. With 5 wins and 19 losses and with a win percentage of 20.83%, the track is on a lower trajectory. But on greater hindsight, confidence is flowing higher in Bangladesh camps after they had sealed a back to a back series win against Australia and New Zealand and are expected to do a whole lot more this time around.
For many observers and key developments, the unconventional nature of Dhaka has drawn the development of their team to test their growth in this format but on another side of the argument, the subjects acted as great confidence boosters for the side.
Over 12 months, the batsmen have adapted to their roles and developed a great bonding. The absence of veteran opener Tamim Iqbal backout from the squad has forged the squad to inbreed for continuity in the setup which confines well with cohesion and dynamics.
Mohammad Naim has provided solidarity in the setup and he has been Bangladesh’s mainstay at the top order. The southpaw’s classical stroke play against spin and pace makes him a shrewd anchorman at the top order.
He has shared a great rapport with Soumya Sarkar who is uncharacteristically the nonchalant player of pace and deciphers spin. But to our retrospection, Russell Domingo is likely to exercise the option of Liton Das who has been one of the best white-ball cricketers for Bangladesh in the last few years at top of the order.
The key points- the logic of left and right combination creates for the on-field captain to shuffle his fielding.
Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hassan and Mushfiqur Rahim are likely to be number 3-4-5 for Bangladesh and their stronghold for their middle-order. The trio provides strength and experience in that department.
The change in dynamics has broadly gone down well among the newer comer.
Nurul Hassan Sohan and Afif Hossain had little time to adapt to their new instructions but showed some promise with their range hitting and game awareness in difficult and slower decks of Dhaka and their stats are likely to get better in the batting deck and they had done slight enough to retain their spot.
In their place bowling front, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin and deadly cutters could find a grip on this surface. Two bowlers of similar profiles may allow Taskin Ahmed to come into the picture to provide little diversity and traits lineup given his raw pace and hits the deck’s traits could provide livelily.
Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed had created havoc in the home series against NZ and Australia and provided the number of games he is given, which he could consider as a starter.
Squad:
Mahmudullah Riyad (Captain), Naim Sheikh, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Kumar Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain. Reserve: Aminul Islam Biplob
Possible XI.
1. Liton Das
2. Naim Sheikh
3. Shakib Al Hassan
4. Nurul Hassan Sohan(WK)
5. Mushfiqur Rahim.
6. Mahmudullah Riyad (C).
7. Afif Hossain.
8.Mohammad Saifuddin.
9. Taskin Ahmed.
10. Nasum Ahmed.
11. Mustafizur Rahman.
Note: Bangladesh can exercise the option of playing Soumya Sarkar at number 3 for batting depth and utilize his medium pace.
I don’t think the setbacks in two practice games against Sri Lanka and Ireland could act as a halt to their confidence given their inconsistencies are quite well known in this format but I expect them to end up as group winners and seal their slot in Super 12. But the supreme qualities and squad composition of those teams could disrupt their progression in the next round.
The major priority is to qualify for the main round and show their belonging to the top level.
