Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023

October 05, 2023, 08:12 PM
by Nafiz Tahmid

UNB News
Publish- October 05, 2023, 08:12 PM
Nafiz Tahmid
Update- October 05, 2023, 08:30 PM

Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Some Players of the Bangladesh ODI Squad in the ICC World Cup 2023 (UNB Digital Image)

ICC World Cup starts today (October 5, 2023), and Bangladesh announced the squad on September 26. While other nations revealed their squads early, Bangladesh was the final team to make the announcement.

The day before the announcement of the World Cup team, a midnight meeting took place at the residence of the BCB president. Speculations regarding Tamim Iqbal's fitness in the media, and decisions involving Hathurusingha and Shakib Al Hasan all unfolded in a dramatic manner. In this intense situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board revealed the final Cricket World Cup team, notably without the experienced batsman Tamim.

Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad

Heading into the 2023 World Cup, Bangladesh is positioned as the underdog; however, they possess the capability to challenge the tournament favourites. Throughout this year, their performance in ODIs has been respectable, securing eight victories out of 20 matches, and one didn’t have a winner. Before the Asia Cup 2023, the captaincy responsibilities were handed over to Shakib Al Hasan, a decision prompted by Tamim Iqbal's fitness concerns.

Now that Tamim Iqbal is left out of the World Cup, fans are not seeing the Tamim-Litton pair in the opening. However, the absence of Tamim may not hamper Bangladesh’s performance. This year, Tamim Iqbal played 11 ODIs for Bangladesh and scored 283 runs. He did not have a significant contribution in most of the matches. His highest score in 2023 was 69 runs against Ireland at Chelmsford on May 14, 2023. Since Bangladesh is starting the World Cup with a balanced team, Tigers can do well without Tamim.

The change in leadership could prove beneficial for the Bangladeshi team, considering Shakib's standing as arguably the best player in the squad. Renowned for leading from the front with his exceptional all-rounder skills, the veteran is expected to bring a fighting spirit to the team in the upcoming competition. Under their stylish all-rounder, Bangladesh aims to show some power against other tough opponents.

Bangladesh has landed in India for the 2023 World Cup with a well-balanced squad. The team comprises a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, a combination that holds potential advantages. The veterans like Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah take charge and motivate emerging talents such as Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud to deliver their best for the team.

Strengths

Bangladesh remains competitive in cricket due to its proficient spin-bowling attack. Shakib Al Hasan's dual role as an all-rounder provides a crucial balance, particularly with his strategic bowling. Supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the team benefits from a blend of off-break and left-arm spin. Shakib's experience, especially in Indian conditions, and impressive World Cup track record make him pivotal for key matches in subcontinental settings.

Weakness

Heading to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, several teams, including Bangladesh, are dealing with injuries. Ebadot Hossain, a key fast bowler for Bangladesh, has been sidelined due to a significant knee injury, posing a substantial setback. Despite the team's management expressing the desire to include Tamim Iqbal in the squad, a persistent back injury has ultimately prevented his inclusion in the final lineup.

The Tigers' passionate displays are admirable, but their ability to control emotions during critical moments is crucial. Past controversies, like animated celebrations and verbal conflicts, raise concerns.

Also, Bangladesh occasionally lacks a winning mentality, exemplified by Shakib Al Hasan's prior comment. Shifting towards a confident belief in winning, rather than a defensive approach, is vital for success in the upcoming games.

Key Players in Bangladesh ODI World Cup 2023

Shakib Al Hasan

In the 2019 World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan emerged as a standout performer, picked by many people as the unofficial player of the Tournament. He consistently surpassed fifty in seven out of eight innings, achieving two centuries. Remarkably, he became the first cricketer to score 500 runs and take 10 wickets in a single top-level ODI tournament.

Shakib also continued his performance in 2023. This year, he played 16 ODI matches so far and scored 549 runs with the highest runs of 93 and 5 fifties. He also took 14 wickets from 16 matches with 4/35 best bowling score. So, the Bangladesh team will greatly depend on Shakib’s performance as an all-rounder and a captain.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz

25-year-old all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is an important member of the Bangladesh team. He has shown that he has the ability to play big innings when given a chance by scoring a century to open the Afghanistan match in the Asia Cup. And he is a proven name with the ball. So far, he has played 82 ODI matches for Bangladesh and grabbed 91 wickets with 4/25 best bowling innings. So, Miraz has a good chance to do some magic.

Towhid Hridoy

Despite his recent debut, Hridoy is swiftly becoming a prominent figure in Bangladesh cricket. Across various series and tournaments, he consistently makes an indelible mark with his remarkable talent. As an under-19 World Cup winner in 2020, he played a crucial role in steering Bangladesh towards its dream of winning the World Cup.

Towhid Hridoy has been impressive in the latest matches. This year, he played 17 matches and scored 518 runs with an 86.33 strike rate. Hridoy came to the limelight after his 82 and 54 runs in the 2023 Asia Cup. However, he could not give his best in the New Zealand series in September 2023. But, still, Towhid can change the game in top order.

Taskin Ahmed

This year, Taskin appeared in 10 innings and grabbed 21 wickets. His tremendous performance in the Asia Cup 2023, taking 9 wickets from 4 matches, made him one of the players to watch in the 2023 World Cup. Notably, the 28-year-old fast bowler played a great role in Bangladesh's triumph against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2023, delivering an impressive performance with bowling figures of 4 for 44 in 8.3 overs. However, Taskin got 1 wicket in the World Cup match against Against se.

Final Words

The Bangladesh cricket squad possesses considerable talent and the potential to make a strong showing in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Nonetheless, there have been instances where the team appears to lack unity. If each player maximizes their individual talents, Bangladesh stands a chance of causing an upset in the tournament.