ICC world cup 2019 is knocking at the door. The teams competing for the championship are planning and plotting for it. All the participating teams are now engaged in bilateral series in different parts of the world.
Bangladesh like other teams is also not lagging behind in preparation.
We were shocked and surprised at the press statement of a responsible talking unnecessarily about the possible composition of the team. Selectors would select the team and after due approval would be announced on time. No squad has been announced. Talking about the team is pre matured now and such statement creates frustrations among possible contenders as well create pressure upon the players. Hope horses must be trusted for horses’ job.
The preparation of Bangladesh however, got stuttered with a catastrophic lopsided performance in New Zealand. The tour abruptly ended with the last test match being abandoned for unfortunate terrorist activity during Jumma prayer. Team tigers fortunately avoided tragic incident. But cold headed brutal murder of devotees by insane killers led to cancellation of the tour. But till that time Bangladesh lost matches of ODI and test series.
The cancellation of last test in many opinions was a great escape of Bangladesh from comprehensive series white wash. The traumatized Bangladesh team would take some time to return to their own true form. Poorly prepared Bangladesh getting blown out in New Zealand would need regrouping soon. Hope the ensuing tri nation series in Ireland involving
West Indies as well will be ideal for working out right combination.
Last minutes home works are being done to confirm few positions up for the grab. The tournament would be held in England in end May and early June. The weather in England remains comfortable during this period. ICC usually prepares batting friendly wickets providing for high scoring entertaining matches.
However, wicket by nature provides seam movement and new ball moves in the air as well. Teams adjusting well early and having depth and diversity in the squad are expected performing well in the tournament. This team each team would play against other in the preliminary round. Hence consistency would be the key. Teams even losing first few matches would have opportunities for bouncing back.
Bangladesh possesses five of the most experienced top quality international players. Mashrafe, Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiq and Mahmudullah in between them have played more ODI matches than any other team now active in international cricket. Fabulous five as they are lovingly termed would need to widen their shoulders for carrying the hopes, aspirations and dreams of the nation.
In the last ICC world cup 2015 held in Australia New Zealand Bangladesh for the first time played in the quarter final. Many would say that the dream journey of Bangladesh stopped abruptly in the quarter final at Iconic MCG through some controversial umpiring decisions going against Bangladesh. But since then Bangladesh playing wonderfully well won bilateral series against Pakistan, India, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Team tigers became a great force to reckon with ODI format of the game .On their day they can win any against any team anywhere .This time the team is expected surpassing its past performances. This would be the last series of the enigmatic captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. His bruised, battered legs desperately need rest and he also has opted to serve the nation as a politician winning the general election representing the ruling party. For one or few of his senior colleagues also this world may be the last opportunity to shine for Bangladesh. Bangladesh may even go all the way who knows.
Tamim Iqbal as usual would have to set Bangladesh dream journey rolling .His prolific form with the bat and anchoring the innings would be essential. He is the premiere Bangladesh batsman in all forms of the game. His recent form of the bat after recovering from injury puts him in good stead. In England he played some glorious innings in the past. There has been several permutation and combination in the past to work out ideal opening partnership.
Anamul Huq, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Liton K Das have been tried. None could create much confidence among the selectors. Chopping and changing opening partners of Tamim failed creating stability. Anamul Huq and Soumya are aggressive batsmen by nature while Kayes and Liton more accomplished steady performer. At least two even three of the four may be in the squad. Playing new ball on seaming swinging condition would require skills, temperament and concentration.
A good opening partnership would be essential for setting the solid foundation for early order batsmen to consolidate and later order play risk free cricket. Number three spot like opening partner of Tamim is still an issue. A fit again prolific all rounder Shakib may be the first choice.
In World Cup 2015 Mahmudullah Riyad was a great success at number three scoring two back to back centuries. Since then he is being preferred for batting at six in the late middle order. Aggressive batsman Sabbir has also been tested in that position in the past. However, returning to the service of the team after serving his suspension he has just getting back his aggressive touch. If the gets back his consistency Sabbir may be ideal player at number three for his dynamic batting. As usual little Mushy (Mushfiqur Rahim) will be the pivot of Bangladesh batting. He will provide the center of gravity. Shakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah would carry the nations dream.
The success of Bangladesh in world cup would largely depend how these faithful servants serve the Bangladesh cause. Mohammad Mithun is another batsman who can be an ideal choice in the top order if anyone is unavailable for any reason. Bangladesh does not possess world class all rounder like most other teams. Saifuddin and Miraj are in their early years. Mashrafe these days can not continue longer. Bangladesh tail-enders like Mustafiz, Rubel and Taskin are not expected adding much .Hence it has to be top six who have to deliver and one of them has to stay with the tail till the last stage. Bangladesh must not expect tail wagging if top order fails delivering.
Diverse Bangladesh bowling has quality and depth. War veteran Mashrafe would lead the package. Although he has lost his pace, his accuracy, subtle variation of pace and slow cutters keep opponent batsmen honest. He is still a regular wicket taker. Mustafiz, Rubel and Taskin in combination with Mashrafe would create effective new ball attack. On English wicket Bangladeshi pacers have to consistently bowl at right length and line for achieving success.
Hope the tri nation ODI series in Ireland against host team and West Indies would be ideal learning stage. The pace friendly wickets may be expected. But in international tournaments ideal batting wickets may need bowlers bowling steadily for restricting teams within chase able targets. Shakib, Miraj and Mahmudullah would provide spinning contribution. Sabbir is expected to bowl few overs of leg spin. Soumya if in the playing XI may need to bowl few overs as well.
Bangladesh would require fielding like roaring Royal Bengal tigers. Ground fielding must be sharp and agile and all catches must be taken. A score of 270 plus in all matches must be the primary target. All matches including matches against Afghanistan even would require to be treated as do or die match essential winning.
Playing in the semifinal is the primary target, going beyond that would be an added bonus. Hope team tigers imbued with the spirits and confidence of a proud nation would leave nothing unturned to live up to the billing.
BDST: 1106 HRS, MAR 28, 2019
SI
