BCB is set to announce the 15-member squad for the ensuing Bangladesh-New Zealand–Ireland tri nation ODI series and ICC Champions trophy Thursday afternoon (April 20).
The tri nation series is being hosted by Ireland. The champions trophy will be held in England. Eight ICC ODI top ranked teams including host England will participate in the Champions trophy. Bangladesh through excellent ODI performance since ICC world cup in 2015 qualified for the tournament ahead of West Indies and Zimbabwe. Right at this moment Bangladesh ranks seventh ahead of Pakistan as well. Though placed in Group A alongside host England, Australia and New Zealand Bangladesh is expected performing admirably.
The ODI team is very settled with 6 senior players having world of experience and some talented youngsters making the team a dark horse of the tournament. Two of the top Bangladeshi players ICC top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and phenomenon of limited over cricket Mustafizur Rahman are however warming the bench of their respective IPL franchise in India. Other national players including some discards are playing exceptionally well in Dhaka Cricket league. The competition being intense BCB must be extremely careful in selecting horses for the courses English condition is far different than sub-continent and even Australia New Zealand. Moreover, in early winter in heavy condition ball moves on the seam and in the air prodigiously. New players usually struggle there adjusting. From that point of view the week long conditioning camp at Sussex will do world of good for the tigers.
Probable Squad
Six to seven players–Mashrafe, Mushfiq, Shakib, Tamim, Mahmudullah and Mustafiz are now automatic choice in the team. Five of them are the pillars of Bangladesh cricket and have wealth of knowledge. Mustafiz can be trump card of any ODI team now if used smartly. We know how smartly his captain Mashrafe uses him. Now comes the very interesting task of selecting the other nine. For English condition Bangladesh will need three openers. Tamim had proven success in England before having one of the rare achievement of scoring back to back test centuries. I would suggest selecting Imrul Kayes ahead of Soumya Sarkar for his better defensive techniques. Soumya as impact player would also the team but he may struggle initially in adjusting to English condition. Bangladesh would need a solid number three batsman not like the flamboyant Sabbir. Mahmudullah or Mosaddek would be better suited for the position and should be followed by Mushfiq the most accomplished batsman. Shakib, Sabbir then can follow making the middle order deep and reliable. I would suggest bringing Nasir Hossain back for his prolific form as a finisher. Bangladesh lacks a power hitter in the lower middle order. Now comes the bowlers. Mashrafe for his skills of superb control, accuracy and cutters as well as extraordinary quality of leadership will continue leading the attack. I would suggest including Mustafiz, Taskin and inform Rubel Hossain in the team. Mashrafe and Mustafiz will swing and expertly use the seam. Taskin and Rubel with pace will rattle opposition. Shakib, Nasir, Mosaddek and Mahmudullah with all round ability will take care of spin attack.
If Bangladesh wants to take a fifth pacer it should be Kamrul Islam Rabbi. Finger spinners usually struggle gripping the ball in cold English winter. Still Mehedi Miraz for his all-round ability will come ahead of others. This makes the 15 members squad as--Tamim Iqbal , Imrul Kayes , Soumya Sarkar ,Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain , Mushfiqur Rahim , Shakib Al Hasan , Sabbir Rahman , Mashrafe Bin Mortaza , Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman.
I would suggest taking Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Subhashish Roy in the group of 17 to Sussex and even try in the tri nation series for the future. Exposure to English condition is always great for budding seamers.
In English condition not losing early wickets is the key. Bangladesh will face very experienced English, Australian and Kiwi new ball bowlers in the champions trophy. They will fancy their chances against batsmen playing away from their body before settling down that some of the early order Bangladesh batsmen do. That is why we suggested playing Mahmudullah, Mosaddek and Mushfiq in the top half of the middle order while Sabbir and Nasir can finish strongly.
Bangladesh in the past beat England at home and in Adelaide. But English team in England will be different proposition. I would give more chances to Bangladesh against Australia if they can sustain the attack of Starc and Hazelwood. Bangladesh in recent times was white washed by the Kiwis. But they matches were closer than what results suggest. Bangladesh will be playing them early in the triangular series. That will be an advantage for both sides sizing up each other.
We are really optimistic but at the same time we must be realistic as well. Bangladesh is not the favourite winning the champions trophy. All competitors will however care for Bangladesh as contender. Even winning one match of the trophy and competing well in others will be acceptable.
We hope the team has buried the controversies that surfaced around Mashrafe retiring from T20 international. Would suggest sending a more responsible senior cricket personality as Manager. We hope another situation is not created which may compel Mashrafe retiring all together from cricket.