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My Cricket World Cup squad: Bangladesh

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Roar Guru
5th April, 2019
6

After previewing a host of rivals, I’m finally doing my predicted squad for my boys, the Bangladesh Tigers.

Prior to the unfortunate events in Christchurch and half of the ODI squad nearly being involved in the crossfire, I was hopefully expecting a semi-final spot.

But now I honestly don’t care about how they do in the World Cup.

If they lose all nine games, so be it.

Some things are bigger than the game of cricket that we all love.

But I reckon we can cause a few upsets with my following predicted squad.

Batsmen
Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Yasir Ali

Tamim Iqbal has been world class since the end of the 2015 World Cup. In 2015 and 2016, he averaged 46 and 45 respectively and his performances in the last two years have been just below Rohit Sharma with an average of 64 and 86 respectively.

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He’s the pillar of our batting at the top of the order. He holds the innings together while others around him are allowed to bat with more freedom and aggression.

Soumya Sarkar hasn’t had the greatest 2019 in franchise and one-day cricket but he boasts an average of 34.4 after 41 ODI matches at a strike rate of 98.

On his day, he can be more destructive, but he needs to consolidate his 20s and 30s into more 50s and 100s because the pace of his scoring keeps bowlers worried.

Mohammad Mithun was someone I had a few doubts because of his ability to play quality pace bowling. But his performances in New Zealand in the one-dayers have cemented his spot. He handled pace and swing well and will be a key cog at No.5 or No.6.

Yasir Ali is uncapped but he is a possibility of being in the squad. He’s a big lad and can bat well in all formats. Surprised he hasn’t made his Test debut yet and he can play a long innings as well.

All-rounders
Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman

Shakib needs no introduction. He’s the best all-rounder in Asia this century and has carried Bangladesh with bat and ball practically his whole career.

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It will be crucial to see how he goes with both bat and ball. I’m unsure whether he’ll bat in the middle order or at No.3. I would prefer him to bat in the middle order based on his experience.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan

(Photo by Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Mahmudullah is criminally underrated. All of his ODI tons have come in the last two ICC 50-over tournaments – the 2015 World Cup against England and NZ, then the 2017 Champions Trophy against NZ.

He can and probably will play the role of a finisher, and provide four or five overs of tidy off spin in the middle overs.

Mohammad Saifuddin has been developing well lately and he’s really the only proper seam-bowling all-rounder we have. Has played handy lower-order knocks and is lethal with his yorkers at the death.

Sabbir Rahman will be another option as finisher and his leg spin isn’t terrible. He can deceive batsmen with his long hops.

Wicketkeepers
Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das

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Mushfiqur Rahim has been Mr Dependable from the 2015 World Cup but his dip in form is a little bit worrying. A break from cricket will do him good prior to a warm-up tri-series against Ireland and the West Indies.

Liton Das hasn’t delivered much after his ton against India in the Asia Cup final but if the captain is backing you, you’re in. Oh, and he’s the best keeper we have in the country.

Seamers
Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain

Mashrafe Mortaza has been inspirational as leader. Seven knee surgeries in total, MP of his local area and he’s still playing and captaining his country in ODI cricket.

He’s not as lethal with the new ball anymore so he would be better utilised in the middle overs with his off cutters.

Mustafizur Rahman keeps on finding a way to get one over batsmen when they think they have him figured. He’s starting to bowl more seam-up deliveries compared to the beginning of his career, so give him the new ball.

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Rubel Hossain. Oh, how can I forget those two spells against England in Adelaide? His 4/53 will always be remembered. He has dropped down a little bit in pace but I still back him to deliver at the World Cup.

Taskin Ahmed is finally starting to get his 2015 World Cup form and rhythm back. He’s recovering well from an ankle injury with a shorter run-up and could force his way into the starting 11.

Spinner
Sunzamul Islam

I’ve only chosen one spinner because Shakib can already play the front-line spinner role.

Mehedi Hasan is just woeful outside the subcontinent and it’s too risky to take him.

Sunzamul Islam is a very accurate bowler who isn’t afraid of flighting the ball and can score some handy runs at No.9 should he play.

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