The Bangladesh cricket team is set to embark on their ICC World Cup journey against Afghanistan on Saturday, with Afghanistan proving to be formidable rivals for the Tigers in recent encounters.
The match will kick off at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
In this 10-team World Cup, each team will play a total of nine matches during the initial phase. Bangladesh's first two matches are slated for Dharamsala, with the first clash against Afghanistan, followed by a showdown with reigning world champions England, on October 10.
This impending match against Afghanistan marks Bangladesh's return to ODI cricket in India after a 17-year hiatus, their last ODI match in India dating back to 2006.
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Leading up to the main event, Bangladesh contested two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and England. While they clinched the first, they faced a defeat against England in the second, held in Guwahati.
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's captain, was sidelined from the warm-up matches due to a minor injury sustained during a football session in practice. However, he has been declared fit for the Afghanistan encounter.
Prior to the World Cup, Bangladesh hosted an ODI series at home against the current World Cup runners-up, New Zealand, and ended up losing the series 2-0, with one match succumbing to heavy rain.
The Bangladesh captain expressed confidence, emphasising the significance of the upcoming World Cup matches.
The squad comprises a blend of seasoned campaigners and young talents. Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Litton Das form the backbone of the Bangladesh team. The side also features promising talents in Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, along with Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan.
Bangladesh also boasts Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a talented all-rounder who has excelled in recent years and possesses the potential to shine in this World Cup being held in India.
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The Tigers may grapple with uncertainty regarding their opening combination, given that star opener Tamim Iqbal will miss the World Cup due to injury-related issues. The void left by the renowned opener has been filled by Tanzid Tamim, another left-handed opener. While he impressed in the warm-up matches, he lacks experience in major events.
Litton, standing in for Tamim’s experience, has been experiencing a rough patch in recent matches and will need to take responsibility for providing a solid start alongside his young partner.
Mehidy Miraz might be entrusted with opening the innings alongside Litton, should the team management opt for this strategy. He previously executed this role in the Asia Cup against Afghanistan, delivering a century, potentially prompting the management to stick with the same plan.
In the pace department, Bangladesh flaunts a formidable attack compared to other areas. Taskin and Mustafiz lead the charge, with Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud also poised to make a significant impact. The Tigers boast an additional pacer in Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who made an impressive debut in the Asia Cup, securing three wickets.
In essence, Bangladesh possesses a robust squad capable of challenging any opponent in the World Cup. The key lies in the team's unity and collective performance.
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