Does Bangladesh have any real chance at the T20 World Cup?

Bangladesh have announced a 15-member T20 squad with two reserves for the upcoming T20 World Cup starting from October.

There is no real surprise except the exclusion of Aminul Islam, who has been kept in the reserves though.

Squad
Mahmudullah (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Kumar Das, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shamim Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed.

Reserves: Aminul Islam, Rubel Hossain

What is the specialty of this team?
This side is a mix of experienced and young players. Captain Mahmudullah, Shakib and Mushfiq are three of the pillars of the Bangladesh cricket team for a long period of time.

Mustafizur Rahman, the cutter master, has been the best white-ball pacer for Bangladesh for five to six years, while Taskin Ahmed, Soumya, Liton and Saifuddin have been playing almost for four to six years and all have the experience to play in an ODI World Cup.

Young Afif, Sohan, Naim have shown some talent during the last couple of series.

What is a strong point?
Aside from the best all-rounder of the T20 game, Shakib Al Hasan, this team has some other all-rounders.

(Photo by Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

That means you have the flexibility to make the squad even if you have to drop someone.

Captain Mahmudullah, Afif and Shamim can provide some off spin where Soumya can offer some handy medium-pace bowling. Spinners are always a strong point for Bangladesh.

And what about the weak point?
Basically, there are no real hard hitters. In modern T20 games, both openers or one of them goes hard from the first ball to ensure the power play is counted.

Teams need finishers who can blast at the end and ensure team a healthy total. Openers like Soumya and Liton can score quickly but both of them are very inconsistent.

More to say, Bangladesh have no real hard-hitting finishers. Mahmudullah is a good one but he needs support from others.

A leg spinner can turn a match any time. Leg spinner Aminul Islam is a promising talent but selectors didn’t include him in the squad, though he is in the reserves.

Is Tamim in the squad?
No, opener Tamim Iqbal is out of the World Cup due to lack of T20 cricket and injury.

But as the rumours in the air, coach Russell Domingo did not want him in the squad as he wanted to give chances to the young openers who are playing in Tamim’s absence.

Is there any real chance?
Umm, that is a difficult question. Firstly, they have to pass the playoffs to qualify for the Super 12 stage.

Bangladesh are in group B with Oman, Papua New Guinea and Scotland. Assuming they qualify, which is more likely, the real challenge comes next.

Bangladesh need their players to be consistent right from the top. In the UAE, spinners will likely dominate but pacers need to be as consistent as they can.

A real concern for Bangladesh is the fielding department. Dropped catches and extra runs could hurt them. They will have to play as a team, then maybe some hope.