In each of their last four World Cup campaigns,
Bangladesh have won three games, but they have only once advanced to the
knockout round, which is a disappointing record for the cricket-crazy country.
They won three matches at the 2019 World Cup while losing five, defeating South
Africa, the West Indies, and Afghanistan.
Bangladesh exited the Asia Cup at the Super Four round,
however they came out on top by defeating India in the decisive match. Soon
after, their experimental sides lost at home to New Zealand, rounding off a
build-up period with more lows than highs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s hamstring is a
potential worry, and Tamim Iqbal and Ebadot Hossain are both injured and out of
the squad.
The major talking point following the team’s
announcement on September 26 was Tamim’s exclusion. In addition to the 2020
Under-19 World Cup-winning foursome of Towhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan, Tanzim
Hasan, and Shoriful Islam, they have the seasoned Mushfiqur Rahim and
Mahmudullah in their team.
The most well-known name is still Shakib Al Hasan.
Despite not getting much help from the rest of the team, he was brilliant in
the 2019 competition, scoring 606 runs in eight games at an average of 86.57.
After Tamim quit as ODI skipper in August, he just assumed the position again.
In addition to his 10 overs in Indian conditions, his batting at No. 4 will be
crucial. Mushfiqur, a senior member of the Bangladeshi team who is nearing the
end of his career, has been in excellent touch this year, especially after
moving to No. 6.
First-time ODI World Cup players Hridoy, Shoriful
Tanzid, and Tanzim are participating. Recently, middle-order batsman Hridoy and
left-arm quick Shoriful have made the biggest impressions in white-ball
cricket, with Hridoy becoming the first Bangladeshi player to achieve 500 runs
in his debut ODI season.
For players like Shakib, Mushfiqur, and Mahmudullah,
it might be their final World Cup, even though they haven’t yet revealed their
plans like Shakib has. Shakib is the only one of the three who participates in
all three formats.