World Cup 2019: Spasmodic Bangladesh; the dark horse

In the last 20 matches, Bangladesh notched win in 13. The only other teams that registered more wins in that time frame were India and England.

Hyderabad: Bangladesh are buoyant by their triangular ODI series win in Ireland ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales starting on May 30. Captain Mashrafe Mortaza would like to lead his team to another height before he takes a call on his career. Under his leadership, Bangladesh qualified for the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal for the first time, then they made it to 2017 Champions Trophy semifinal and 2018 Asia Cup final.

So, it will not be out of place to say that they are no more a weak team. They have the ability to get better of any team. In 2019 World Cup, Mortaza could very well be helming one of the strongest Bangladesh teams going to cricket's biggest ever event.

In the last 20 matches, Bangladesh notched win in 13. The only other teams that registered more wins in that time frame were India (14 out of 20) and England (17 out of 24).

Captain Mashrafe Mortaza lifts the trophy after winning tri-series in Ireland.

Bangladesh, this time around, are banking their experienced stars and talented youngsters, who proved their worth over the last couple of years. So, any team taking them lightly could suffer a major blow. It will be better to not rule them out considering the fact that what India did in 1983 or Sri Lanka in 1996 World Cup.

Cricket is famous for producing strange things. So, if Bangladesh continue their rich vein of form in the forthcoming World Cup they will definitely have a chance to make the event to their name.

Strength- Mix of experienced and young blokes

This Bangladesh team has kept the core of their 2015 World Cup intact that helped them to play the first ever knockout game at an ICC event. The likes of Mortaza, Shakib-Al-Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad played crucial roles in Bangladesh's best ever World Cup campaign. These players have been part of Bangladesh XI for a long time. Alongside experienced players, talented youngsters like Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Sabbir Rahman and Mustafizur Rahman have been key to Bangladesh' prominence in limited overs cricket since the previous World Cup.

Challenge

The batsmen from the subcontinent side could struggle in English conditions as the ball will move and swing where technically sound batsmen will be more on demand. However, Bangladesh's recent series win will boost their confidence to adapt to the English soil which has a lot of similarities with Ireland.

However, it is understood that England has been rolling out batting friendly pitches for the World Cup where fast bowlers are unlikely to get any favour. But, spinners and slow medium pacers may make the best use of overcast conditions which will pose a threat to Bangladesh batsmen.

Players to watch out for

Tamim Iqbal

Left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal has been the foundation of Bangladesh top order for more than a decade. The swashbuckling opener has the prowess to change the hue of game singlehandedly. Tamim, a proven star of Bangladesh cricket, is known for providing a good start to his team.

Tamim Iqbal is the foundation of Bangladesh top order.

His partnership with southpaw Soumya Sarkar, who slammed three half-centuries in Bangladesh's maiden tri-series win that featured Windies and Ireland, will be key to Bangladesh's success in the upcoming quadrennial event.

Mustafizur Rahman

Bangladesh bowling coach Courtney Walsh (L) giving inputs to Mustafizur Rahman.

The left-arm medium pacer will make his World Cup debut in England. Rahman was the only Bangladesh player to be included in 2018's ICC ODI Team of the Year. His five-wicket haul against India on debut and then six wickets haul in the second ODI made him Bangladesh cricket's hot property. So far, he has taken 83 wickets in 46 matches at an average of 22.27.

Hence, the 23-year-old could appear as batsmen's biggest tormentor in the forthcoming World Cup.

Squad:

Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain.

Head coach: Steve Rhodes