There comes a time when seniors must step aside to allow the next generation to take their place. Bangladesh’s senior cricketers will likely retire in the next two to three years. Especially Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are already considering retiring from at least one format of cricket. So from now on, the selectors will have to focus on developing cricketers who will be able to represent Bangladesh in the future. Bangladesh has had the most success in one-day international cricket. So, without senior players, what Bangladesh’s ODI Cricket team could look like? This has been discussed in this article.
How Bangladesh’s ODI playing XI could shape up without their senior players
Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiq, and Mahmudullah have been playing together for more than a decade. Together they have won many matches for Bangladesh and as a result, these cricketers have witnessed many historic victories of Bangladesh. One thing is certain: the BCB has yet to come up with a better alternative for seniors. This is a failure on the part of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and cricketers must take some of the blame as they are not able to take full advantage of the opportunity they are getting. Let's take a look at the future Bangladesh ODI XI.
Read Mustafiz's Rajasthan vs Shakib's Kolkata: Which team has the best chance to win the IPL 2021?
Batting/Top order
Liton Das
ODI Match: 42 | Runs: 1,115 | HS: 176 | Ave: 29.61 | SR: 91.66 | 100s: 03
Liton Das has been the regular opener of the Bangladesh team for the last two years.
He has cemented his place in the national team after some stellar performances in the international arena. Liton has the highest individual ODI innings for Bangladesh. He achieved that feat against Zimbabwe in 2020 with 176 runs. Though he lacks consistency, at the moment there is no alternative for opener Liton.
Read Mashrafe Mortaza drops a bombshell over his alleged T20 retirement in 2017
Mohammad Naim
ODI Match: 01 | Runs: .. | HS: .. | Ave: .. | SR: .. | 100s: ..
Mohammad Naim will be the prime contender to replace Tamim Iqbal when he retires.
The tall left-handed opener has already established himself as a regular starter in T20 competitions. However, he was not given another opportunity after playing a washed out ODI match against Zimbabwe last year. If given the opportunity, Mohammad Naim has the ability to be a productive opener.
Read How to Become a Cricketer in Bangladesh: An Overall Guideline.
Soumya Sarkar
ODI Match: 61 | Runs: 1,768 | HS: 127* | Ave: 32.14 | SR: 97.35 | 100s: 02
Soumya started his international career with high expectations. But despite getting countless opportunities, he has failed to establish himself as a reliable batsman in the team. Soumya also has a tendency to keep failing after a couple of successful innings. However, his position in the Bangladesh team is secure until the pipeline is solid.
Read Bangladesh's five most memorable overseas ODI wins
Batting/Middle and lower-middle order
Mohammad Mithun
ODI Match: 30 | Runs: 663 | HS: 73* | Ave: 30.13 | SR: 78.83 | 100s: 0
Mohammad Mithun made his international debut in 2014, but he was out of the Bangladesh team for some time. However, in 2018, the right-handed middle-order batsman reclaimed his place on the national side. Mithun will be able to play for Bangladesh for at least another 5-6 years if he can maintain his form.
Read Top Online Shops to Find Sports Equipment in Bangladesh
Afif Hossain
ODI Match: 01 | Runs: 07 | HS: 07 | Ave: 7.00 | SR: 175.00 | 100s: 0
The selectors have high expectations from young Afif Hossain. He is already being considered as an alternative to Shakib Al Hasan. Afif Hossain is a powerful batsman who is also an effective spinner. He is the kind of player who likes to take responsibility. There is no doubt that Afif will become an essential member of the Bangladesh team in the future.
Read Memorable Match Winning Knocks in Tests
Mosaddek Hossain
ODI Match: 35 | Runs: 549 | HS: 52* | Wkts: 14 | BBI: 3/13
All-rounder Mosaddek Hossain is an aggressive-minded middle-order batsman. He is also equally adept at picking up wickets at crucial moments. Mosaddek Hossain's competitive nature makes him a valuable player in limited-overs cricket. Mahmudullah will be replaced by Mosaddek after retirement.
Read The Best ODI Batsmen of the 21st Century.
Mahedi Hasan
ODI Match: 03 | Runs: 24 | HS: 14 | Wkts: 02 | BBI: 2/42
Mahedi Hasan made his international debut in the away series against New Zealand. Aggressive Mahedi is equally good at batting and bowling. When he failed to score with the bat, he makes it up by picking wickets. In the future, Afif, Mosaddek, and Mahedi could become a lethal middle order for Bangladesh.
Read New Zealand Series will define Tamim’s captaincy
Mohammad Saifuddin
ODI Match: 24 | Runs: 302 | HS: 51* | Wkts: 34 | BBI: 4/41
Pace all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has been dubbed the team's new Mashrafe. Saifuddin is a very good bowler in the death overs. In addition, Saifuddin can become lethal with the bat when the team needs him. In the international arena, he has already proven his worth by playing some notable innings.
Read Bangladesh vs New Zealand T20I Series 2021: Report Card of Bangladeshi players
Bowling
Taskin Ahmed
ODI Match: 36 | Wkts: 48 | BBI: 5/28 | Ave: 32.81 | Econ: 5.88 | 5W: 01
Taskin Ahmed returned to the international circuit last January after missing two years due to injury. Taskin is committed to keeping his place on the squad. If he continues to perform, he will be able to play for Bangladesh for at least another 6/7 years.
Read Shakib's 34th Birthday: 34 achievements to celebrate the no.1 all-rounder
Mustafizur Rahman
ODI Match: 64 | Wkts: 118 | BBI: 6/43 | Ave: 23.27 | Econ: 5.24 | 5W: 05
Cutter master Mustafizur Rahman is leading Bangladesh's pace attack. Mustafiz had been rhythmless for a few years, but now he's hinting at recapturing his lost form. He can easily play for Bangladesh's national side for another decade. Mustafiz has the potential to break many records at the end of his retirement.
Read Key T20I Records between Bangladesh and New Zealand
Rubel Hossain
ODI Match: 104 | Wkts: 129 | BBI: 6/26 | Ave: 34.31 | Econ: 5.67 | 5W: 01
Rubel Hossain is one of the most successful pace bowlers in ODI format for Bangladesh. He played important roles in many historic victories of Bangladesh. Rubel is likely to play at least two more ICC World Cups for Bangladesh. But in that case, he'll have to work hard to stay in shape.
Read Who can replace Shakib Al Hasan in Bangladesh Cricket Team?
Bottom Line
An XI for the One-Day International has been formed based on the current Bangladesh squad, which gives us an idea of what Bangladesh's ODI cricket team could look like without the senior players? Finding Shakib, Tamim, or Mushfiqur alternatives is a difficult task. However, Bangladesh has no shortage of talented cricketers. If properly nurtured, a good number of high-quality cricketers will develop in the future.
According to ODI captain Tamim, there will be no big changes in the Bangladesh ODI squad before the 2023 World Cup. In that case, a significant number of players who won the Youth World Cup 2020 will be regularly seen in the Bangladesh squad after the ICC 2023 World Cup. Many people believe that with the guidance of those youngsters, Bangladesh will win the first ICC Cricket World Cup.