ICC World Cup 2019 mission is only about two months away. Bangladesh team will participate in a tri nation ODI series involving host Ireland and strong West Indies in about a month from now.
Participating teams will have to announce squad by 18 April. New Zealand is the first team which has already announced squad. Other teams are all out last minute preparations for selecting the best squad for representing their country.
Bangladeshi players are recovering from the trauma of terrorist attack during the fag end of disastrous New Zealand tour. Some probable players are playing in local league. Others are taking their own preparation. The entire coaching staff of Bangladesh team is staying on leave for reasons best known to the BCB policy makers.
A few days back BCB president plating the role of chief selector volunteered naming the squad. True the team for the world cup excepting some grey spots is almost final. But selection is the task of the three-member selection committee. BCB president would approve it in any case. When President gives clear hints about the team it becomes extremely difficult for the selectors in Bangladesh culture going outside it. Perhaps BCB president himself realized that it was not proper.
We must recall that Bangladesh had nightmare experience in New Zealand this time. In three ODI and two test matches, they could not even create any contest. Following the terrorist attack on the Jummah prayer, which the team fortunately escaped, the last test was cancelled.
Bangladesh team was sent to the tour completely unprepared against a team ruthless against all opposition in home condition. It was as if lambs were sent for the slaughterhouse. The devastating tour must have dented the confidence of the players. In such situation, the coaching staff should have returned for duty as soon as possible to boost the morale of the team.
Although the squad has not been announced, some speculations are there in the social media about the team. The probable squad now appearing in the media is:
Mashrafee Bin Murtaza( Captain) , Shakib Al Hasan ( Vice Captain) , TamimIqbal, Liton K Das , SoumyaSarkar , Mohammad Mithun , Mushfiqur Rahim, MahmudullahRiad, SabbirRahman , MehediHasanMiraj, RubelHossain , MustafizurRahmanMohammad Saifuddin, Shafiul Islam, Yasir Ali Rabbi
Whatever is the final composition of the tea, Bangladesh squad will be the most experienced among the participating teams.
Top five Mashrafee ,Tamim, Shakib , Mushfique and Mahmudullah has played more ODIs than any other possible squad put together . Bangladesh played in the quarter final in 2015 World Cup held in Australia, New Zealand . They have the potential of matching the feat of 2015 and even doing better.
But for that right team needs to be chosen and between now and the tournament right preparation needs to be taken.
Fabulous five Mashrafee ,Tamim , Shakib , Mushfique and Mahmudullah are automatic choice . Other than last minute injury they will walk into the team. Shakib is now playing for Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL .Mahmudullah is nursing his injury. Hopefully, he will recover on time. Prolific Tamim will possibly have Liton K Das as his opening partner.
In the race for reserve opener Soumya has his nose in front for his recent form ahead of ImrulKayes and AnamulHaque .Soumya bowls a bit a swell apart from his explosive batting. Mohammad Mithun will be added in the team as top order batsman. Sabbir will be preferred over others in the late middle order and Mohammad Saifuddin will be ideal choice as bowling all rounder.
MehediMiraj will be chosen for his off spin and useful late order batting. It is to be seen whether Taskin or Shafiul is added to the team as extra pacer alongside the tried and tested pace attack of Mashrafee ,Mustafiz and Rubel. Musaddeq may also come in the reckoning for his aggressive late order batting and more than useful spin bowling.
May June will be summer in UK . Weather may not be an issue in English summer . ICC usually prepares pitches those are sporting. On English wickets in recent time 300 runs are regularly scored in ODIs and very often chased successfully. For this matter Bangladesh have to bat consistently well. Bangladesh has diverse attack to defend 280 -300 scores .
This time world cup will be a long haul with every team playing against each other .England , India , Australia , New Zealand , South Africa , Pakistan , West Indies have teams capable of winning the tournament. Even Afghanistan has some world class performers. Bangladesh will have to play out of their skins to create contest and go beyond preliminary round.
Hopefully, BCB will select a responsible dignified cricket personality as team manager. His job will be well cut out after the horror experience in New Zealand. Manager must handle off the field events with due care. Security will be a major concern. Players must feel secured and comfortable in Ireland and England. There must be strict discipline on and off the field. There must also be transparency in the actions and activities of responsible BCB officials prior to and during the world cup.
BDST: 1806 HRS, APRIL 4, 2019
AH
