Bangladesh may not be among the favorites for winning ICC World Cup 2015 but it is neither a mere push over. In the past in World Cup Bangladesh has beaten India, Pakistan, England and South Africa.
In One Day International on home soil Bangladesh in not too distant past was considered a team capable to beating any team.
But consistent poor performance in most of 2104 created credibility issues of the team. But with World Cup looming Bangladeshi players started putting their acts together and performing like hungry and angry Royal Bengal tigers.
The admirers started dreaming. The just announced Tiger Squad of 15 is widely believed as a dark horse of ICC World Cup 2015 .On their day they are quiet competent of challenging the best in the game .
The team that BCB President Nazmul Hasan Papon MP has announced does not have many surprises as about 11 of the 15 were automatic choice on the basis of past proven record and present form.
It is widely speculated that injured Tamim and Mushfique will recover completely on time. Inspiring and energetic Mashrafee Bin Murtaza will lead the Bangladesh Charge in the most prestigious event and enigmatic Shakib Al Hasan will be his deputy.
It could be fitting if Farukh Ahmed the Chief of the three members (Farukh Ahmed, Habibul Bashar and Minhazul Abedin) would have announced the team. But for reasons best known to him only BCB President chose to do that.
The team he announced was - Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahman (WK), Shakib Al Hasan (VC), Mahamudullah Riad, Sabbir Rahman, Mashrafee Bin Murtaza (C), Al Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Taijul Islam, Soumo Sarkar, Nasir Hossain, Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny.
The team comprises of 8 batsmen, four pacers, two specialist spinners and one genuine all-rounder.
A few others may be termed bits and pieces all-rounders’ as well. Considering the state of the wickets where the matches will be played and opposition strength four pacers appear all right.
But keeping in mind the injury issues of Mashrafee and Taskin there could be a backup pacer in the team. We find little justifications for two specialist spinners of similar type when team already has one world class spinner Shakib and few other spinners like Mahamudullah and Nasir.
Even Shabbir and Mominul are capable of sharing the fifth bowling option . If an additional spinner was to be included at all it could be far more useful to pick Jubair Hossain the wrist spinner. The bouncy wickets in down under would have suited his type of bowling. If his lack of experience was the issue then a player with huge proven experience Naeem Islam was overlooked.
Bangladesh is not favorite to win the tournament. Even the die heart admirers won’t dream Bangladesh going beyond second round .Then it could be smart investment on Jubair Hossain getting the test of bouncy pacey Australian wicket and a possible tip from Maestro Shane Warne. We consider it an opportunity lost.
Few would argue about non selection of a competent and experienced all-rounder Naeem Islam .Even with Shabbir, Nasir in the team Naeem could be picked.
He could be greater utility player than Arafat Sunny. Finger spinners struggle in down under unless someone is of the caliber of Daniele Vittorie. Bangladesh will definitely not play more than two spinners in any game.
Short statured Arafat Sunny may even struggle pitching ball at right length on Australian wickets. Shakib and Taijul for their heights will have greater advantage. So either Naeem or Jubair should have been picked ahead of Arafat Sunny. I hope to be proved wrong as President BCB himself took the responsibility of announcing the team.
Bangladesh has both the hosts Australia and New Zealand in the group. The present Australia and New Zealand teams are among the favorites. Both will play Bangladesh in their favorite grounds Australia at Brisbane and New Zealand at Hamilton. In cricket in ODI everything is possible.
But winning against one or either will be extremely extremely difficult for Bangladesh. Bangladesh group has two ICC associate member qualifiers Afghanistan and Scotland.
On paper Bangladesh is much stronger side .But ICC associate member teams have greater exposure in Australia New Zealand Conditions. Bangladesh plays Afghanistan in their first match at Manuka Oval Canberra. That match is the most important match for Bangladesh. Afghans have two three good new ball bowlers who may rattle Bangladesh batsmen if taken easy. Afghans have a couple of aggressive stroke makers.
But Bangladesh may stifle them with two even three spinners .In any case Bangladesh must start with a bang to let out a strong message for the rest. Although the likes of Johnson, Harris and Hazelwood /Starc will squeeze Bangladesh out with genuine pace and bounce at Brisbane yet Bangladesh playing patient game against Australia can expect miracle to happen. Australian batting without Clarke looks a bit suspect against quality spin bowling. Apart from Warner and Smith the rest can be bottled with tight bowling and smart fielding.
Bangladesh will play third and possibly the most important match against strong Sri Lanka at MCG .Many Bangladeshis will get overwhelmed while entering the Iconic MCG for the first time in their life. The huge ground will have 50-50 opportunities for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka .Three Stallworth Dilshan, Shangrakara and Mahela will be pack of emotions playing possibly the last match of their illustrious career unless they go all the way to the finals. Bangladesh must capitalize .It is a huge ground, plenty of singles, doubles, threes and even fours can be run. Bangladesh may use three spinners here also though Sri Lankans are better players of spin. Bangladesh must play Malinga very carefully at MCG. Win against Sri Lanka will brighten Bangladesh prospect of advancing to second round.
Bangladesh will play New Zealand at Hamilton where small ground and strong wind will be issues for the team. New Zealand is playing very good cricket at the moment .Playing the Kiwis in their backyard is always a strong challenge. New Zealand has inherent weakness against quality spinners. Bangladesh has white washed the Kiwis twice in the past. But this time in different setting it will not be easy.
Bangladesh plays England at Adelaide. I will give more opportunity to Bangladesh winning against England at Adelaide Oval than against Kiwis at Hamilton and Sri Lanka at MCG. Bangladesh has to bat well against English seamers and then try to exploit the weakness of English batting against quality spin bowling .I do not think beating Scotland should be much difficult for Bangladesh .
Two wins against Afghanistan and Scotland I can foresee. Against New Zealand and England there are more than even chances. Against Australia and Sri Lanka miracle may happen.
Well Bangladesh advancing to the second round will be a massive achievement. But for that Bangladesh has to show character, play to full potential and remain very positively focused all the way. Hope inspirational skipper Mashrafee will instill dynamism and mental toughness in the team.
BDST: 1822 HRS, JAN 05, 2015
