Cricket World Cup 2019 – Bangladesh preview, likely starting XI: Tigers’ time to shrug off that “if only” tag

Bangladesh had knocked England out of the 2015 World Cup, making it to the knockout stage for first time in their history. Two years later, they reached the semi-finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy. And last week they won their first ever multi-nation tournament, in Ireland, which also involved West Indies. What will they do this time?

They have won 34 ODIs and lost 25 since the 2015 World Cup. Their win-loss ratio of 1.36 over this period has been bettered by only England (2.521), India (2.074), South Africa (1.807), and New Zealand (1.433). While this may not seem much, their ratio (0.636) in the four years before the 2015 World Cup placed him at 12th.

Their famous quintet – of captain Mashrafe Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Mahmudullah – have played 104 matches together. The last four of them have also been their leading run-scorers since the beginning of 2018, while Mortaza has the second-most wickets.

But while they are still Bangladesh’s go-to men, they have also ensured the expansion of the nucleus of the side over time. Mustafizur Rahman, one of the finest limited-overs bowlers in the world, has been Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker since 2018 (39 wickets at 25.07, economy 4.86), while Soumya Sarkar has struck at 107 over the same period.

Bangladesh’s economy rate of 4.92 over this period has been next to only Afghanistan’s 4.47, a factor the other sides will be wary of. However, the format of the tournament is going to test them severely, for several of their bowlers – Mortaza, Shakib, Mustafizur – have had their share of injuries in the past.

Players to watch

Mustafizur Rahman: With flat pitches and small grounds on the cards and every side boasting of power hitters, 2019 is likely to witness one of the highest scoring World Cups in history. This is exactly why the best bowlers in the world may make a difference. With his accuracy, cutters, and canny variations of pace, “Fizz” is likely to prevent a death-over carnage or two.

Shakib Al Hasan: It is time for the greatest cricketer in Bangladesh history to rise to the biggest cricket extravaganza. Shakib has played key roles in each of Bangladesh’s major success stories, and provided he gets – and, indeed, stays – fit; he will definitely want to make this big.

Tamim Iqbal: This is England, and England has always been Tamim’s favourite haven across formats. His numbers (average 50.71, strike rate 89) in this country impressive; and even if we ignore his fireworks in 2010, one cannot ignore his 293 runs at 73.25 in the 2017 Champions Trophy – the most by any non-Indian.

Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Liton Das (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun (wk), Tamim Iqbal, Abu Jayed, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman.

Likely starting XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (if fit, otherwise Mohammad Mithun), Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mustafizur Rahman.

Prediction

To finish eighth, above perhaps Afghanistan and Sri Lanka – but then, who can tell?