If experience, quality, and recent form in international cricket are considered determinants Bangladesh is clear favorites in the ensuing Tri-Nation Cricket tournament set to start in Dhaka from the middle of the month.

Moreover, home condition would also better suit and favor them over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in recent times were blown away by India and South Africa. Though Bangladesh in international cricket also did go through a rough patch yet on home condition in ODI Bangladesh is always a formidable contestant. 

We do not think that former Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurasingha in charge of Sri Lanka and absence of a formal head coach of Bangladesh would matter much.  Nothing has changed to 5 top Bangladesh cricketers Mashrafe, Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiq and Mahmudullah or their budding young mates in the team. Rather they would be hungry for success and points to prove. Moreover, Anamul Haque Bijoy and Mohammad Mithun back in the team would have to play well to set their foot into the team. Leaving Soumya and Taskin out of the team for retuning them to their brilliant best may not cause much of an impact.  Soumya is replaced in the squad by more consistent performer and experienced campaigner Anamul Bijoy and there are enough better quality pacers in the team not to let feeling the absence of Taskin.

Both Soumya and Taskin looked very much out of touch in South Africa. They also did not perform at all well in BPL 2017. Bijoy rather in recent times was overlooked despite of his prolific form in domestic cricket. On song he can be ideal partner of blaster Tamim as opener. The team also has Imrul Kayes as third opener. Few however would argue about little bird Mominul at number three. 

We think they have a point. He has technique, skill and temperament as high quality top order batsman. If given opportunity like few others regularly he could by this time settle as an ideal number three batsman not only in test and ODI but in other formats as well. Perhaps team management wants him fresh for the test series against Sri Lanka and other important cricket engagements later in 2018.

The most satisfying is that Tamim is in prolific form. If Bijoy proves as ideal foil for him Bangladesh may not need worrying much against not too penetrative pace attack of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Moreover, experienced Malinga is not in the team. The wickets may not favor pace bowling. Hope incidents of indiscipline and disciplinary action against Sabbir won’t hurt his morale. He should bounce back and atone his mistakes through brilliant aggressive batting. Mushfiq is too good a player and fine cricketer to get over his mental scar if any from relieving him the captaincy of test team. He himself was not enjoying the role under stressed condition. 

Few off course questioned why the leadership was bestowed again of Shakib who opted staying away from tests against South Africa. His presence in that series could matter after his brilliant all round performance at home against strong Australia. He was not injured and for no reason looked stressed. In any case Tamim, Bijoy, Kayes , Shakib , Mushfiq, Sabbir, Nasir and Mahmudullah would be mainstay in the team in batting. Inclusion of Mithun and all rounder Abul Hasan and Saifuddin would leave better options for Mashrafe and Shakib to choose from. Nasir and Mahmudullah were rocking and rolling in BPL. Nasir would feel much better with Hathurasingha no longer there finding faults with him. 

In any case pace attack comprising of Mashrafe, Mustafiz , Rubel , Abul Hasan and Saifuddin have to deliver. In South Africa series pacers looked very ordinary. Hope Mustafiz has recovered from niggles he had. Hope also Saifuddin got over his mental scurs of the battering he got from Miller in South Africa and Gayle in BPL. He has the potential for a genuine pace bowling all rounder and may be relied upon. 

Shakib, Mehedi would be our main hope in spinning department with Nasir and Mahmuduallh also chipping in with useful spells. Mashrafe as always would inspire the team from the front. We believe this is going to be a unique opportunity for team Bangladesh proving a point against not too strong enough teams especially team masterminded by former head coach Hathurusingha.

BDST: 0921 HRS, JAN 11, 2018
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