Subject to Bangladesh selecting the right squad and take appropriate preparations it has a great opportunity of performing admirably in the ensuing T20 world scheduled to be played at USA and West Indies.
In recent times, Bangladesh has started turning around in the format for the inclusion of some bright youngsters and Bangladesh bowling unit improving a lot. They only need some consistency in the top order batting.
With the arrival of Zakir Khan Anik and Rishad Hossein as power hitters in the last slog overs Bangladesh looks great for setting up a competitive target or chasing a steep target.
We have high hopes in the competence of Gazi Ashraf Lipu as Chief Selector for his wealth of knowledge and personality. Hope Bangladesh will select a squad based on merit and stress on fitness.
Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim have retired from T20 international. Hence Bangladesh needs ideal replacement for them. The only worry is that quality wicket keeper batsman Litton K Das is going through a prolonged bad patch. Hope he gets back into his stride playing against Zimbabwe at home and in the practice matches against USA before the tournament starts.
Selectors may either opt for your Tanzid Hasan Tamim or Soumya Sarkar to pair with Litton. Both are left handers but there is no competent right hand in form opening batsman in the fringe unless selectors consider Anamul Hoque Bijoy as an opener. Captain Nazmul Hasan Shanto will bat at three though he is also running through a bad patch with his bat. Depending on match situation Shakib Al Hasan may bat at three. Tawhid Ridoy, Mahmudullah Riad, Zakir Onik and Rishad Hossein will form a very formidable middle and late middle order.
If pace bowling all rounder Mohammad Saifuddin is included in the squad, he will give depth and diversity to Bangladesh batting. Depending on the nature of the wicket Bangladesh should go for three pacers, one specialist spinner and a pace bowling all-rounder. Shakib is one in three options. Hope he remains fit and gets his match winning form on time.
Rishad apart from his leg spin skill has shown his six hitting natural talent. But inform experienced Mahmudullah Riad will be the key in leading Bangladesh late order to match winning mode. Power hitting ability of Zakir Hasan Onik will also add option.
Bangladesh will have plenty to choose from as far as pace attack. Taskin, Shoriful and Mustahfiz will be automatic choice. It will be extremely difficult whom to choose from among Tanjim Hasan Tamim and Hasan Mahmud. In the series against Zimbabwe at home Nahid Rana may also be tried. Back to form again Mohammad Saifuddin is another option as pace bowling all-rounder.
Selecting one quality off spinner is also important as opponent teams have many left-handed batsmen. The choice is between Mehedi Hasan Miraj and Sheikh Mehedi. Bangladesh should take some reserve players as tour support.
Fielding is a bit of concern. All preparation for achieving top fitness must be taken. Pakistan team underwent vigorous fitness training at Kakul Military training for fitness. It is not a bad idea for Bangladesh team to have a week to 10 days similar training under Bangladesh army command. We hope that young Bangladesh team should be fit and ready to take the challenges of T20 World cup. Already the opposition in the first round is known and the venue will be announced. Bangladesh must carry out research on the wicket, weather on the match day and the quality of the opposition.
I find no reason why Bangladesh cannot move into the second round and plan for still bigger success. Hope only fit and inform players are included in the squad. There must not be any experiment at any stage.
Millions of cricket fanatic Bangladesh cricket admirers are waiting right across the glove to celebrate victories of Bangladesh at ICC T20 world cup. After all Cricket is the only area where all Bangladeshis speak in one language. Let there be light at the end of the tunnel.
BDST: 1509 HRS, April 8, 2024
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