Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has just announced its 15 Members T20 I World Cup Squad and two Standbys. With its premiere opening batsman Tamim Iqbal opting out there has been no surprises.
The T20 series winning XI has Soumya, Taskin, Shoriful and Shamim Patowary added to it makes the party. Pacer Rubel Hossain and Aminul Islam Biplob have been named as standby. Tamim announcing at the very last minute prior to the start of the series against New Zealand with squad in the bio bubble left very little choice for the management to consider anyone else. Perhaps Mosaddeq may feel hard done, as he was not even given any opportunity to prove.
Bangladesh has to play in the qualifying round at Oman in a group featuring home team Oman, PNG and Scotland. It should not much difficult finishing on the top of the group. The three matches would rather let them fine tuning and working on right team combination. These minor teams would struggle against superior Bangladesh bowling attack. Then Bangladesh would be in the main business in the group of death alongside India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan. Whatever be the strength of the opposition Bangladesh has the potential to win against any team on its day. Would rate them as dark horse of the tournament.
The consecutive series win against Zimbabwe on tour, Australia and New Zealand would act as tonic. Winning momentum gives a team a short in the arm, creates hunger for keeping on winning. Raid squad is really gelling well. Off course playing on the slow, low, gripping SBNCS wicket did not give them the ideal practice. The three qualification matches would give them opportunities to acclimatize. Moreover, Shakib and Mustafiz would be having useful playing appearing for the respective franchise Kolkata Kinght Riders and Rajsthan Royals in the IPL at UAE. If only situation did not let Tamim opting out at the last-minute Tigers could be in much better stead. 
Bangladesh bowling unit appeared formidable against both Australia and New Zealand. There was genuine assistance from the wicket. But bowling consistently well in 9 matches against two professional units by no means requires quality and skill. The combination of Shakib, Nasum and Mehedi appears similar to Mohammad Rafique, Razzak and Shakib of 2007. Judging from the spin heavy Indian squad there is enough reasons believing that Wickets at UAE would have purchase for the spinners. Mustafiz is in the form of his life. He is possibly among the best death over bowlers and also chip in with regular wickets. Saifuddin also varying his pace looks in great touch. Taskin and Shoriful would be ideal back up options.
The bit of bother is the batting. Off course it would not be fair judging any batsman from the performance at SBNCS where no batsman could bat consistently well. Bangladesh coaching staff must mentor three openers well and polish them during practice session in Oman. Once again, the bulk of the batting responsibility would be upon Mushfique, Mahmudullah and Shakib. Captain Raid is in fine form. Shakib is a bit inconsistent. But on sporting surface he would be a different batsman. Mushfique looked a bit rusty. But he should be all right. His quality player would be back to his best on time. Afif, Sohan and the rest would also feel much better batting on better wickets. The team fielded reasonably well throughout the recent series. 
The most impressive was the captaincy of Mahmudullah. He marshaled his resources admirably through thick and thin. He himself shouldered the team at difficult time.
I can assure all that this team has the quality and temperament to advance at least to the Semifinal.
Bangladesh Squad: Mahmudullah Riad (Captain) , Liton K Das , Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim , Afif Hossain Dhrubo, , Nurul Hasan Sohan ,Soumya Sarkar , Shamim Hossain Patwary , Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman , Taskin Ahmed, Mahedy Hasan, and Nasum Ahmed.
Standby: Rubel Hoassain and Aminul Islam
BDST: 1415 HRS, SEP 09, 2021
SMS
