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This clash at Taunton is a must-win game for both West Indies and Bangladesh.
As a Bangladesh fan, I’m hurt by that loss to the Kiwis. And I’m sure the players are as well, especially Mushfiqur Rahim.
Following Bangladesh’s surprising, but not shocking 21-run victory over South Africa, the Tigers now look to their next challenge on Wednesday night (10.30pm AEST) against an underrated New Zealand.
South Africa are ranked third in the ICC ODI rankings yet, for the first time in their cricketing history, they aren’t one of the favourites in this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup.
When Baku hosted Qarabag vs Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League group stages last year there were already questions about how the city would be able to host the Europa League Final with flying colours. Fast forward to May 2019 and those questions are still mostly unanswered.
The 12 seasons of IPL have always brought out a few success stories of emerging players maturing into India’s white ball stalwarts.
The World Cup is less than a month away and all nations have named their squads.
Finally all of the World Cup squads have been released. I’ll be running down through all squads and how they fared to my predicted 15.
Afghanistan have released a 23-man preliminary squad, making my job easier to predict the final 15.
If it wasn’t for Rubel Hossain’s spell in Adelaide 2015, England would’ve scraped their way to the quarter-finals and papered over the cracks in their poor one-day system.
The West Indies have been brilliant in the ICC World T20 this decade, winning it twice and making the semi-finals in 2014 only for D/L method to boot them out.
Pakistan have released a 23-man preliminary squad, which has made my job a bit easier predicting their final squad, although a few eyebrows might still be raised.
After previewing a host of rivals, I’m finally doing my predicted squad for my boys, the Bangladesh Tigers.
There’s been a lot of debate about how India will go into the World Cup, but it’s the nation’s bench strength rather than their playing XI that is prompting these uncertain questions.
With the ICC World Cup only two months away, selectors will be finalising their preliminary squads before trimming it to 15 lucky men.
With the ICC World Cup only two months away, selectors from all ten nations will be finalising their preliminary squads before trimming to 15 lucky men.
On 18 March 2018 Vijay Shankar was the laughing stock of the internet. In his debut innings in the Nidahas Trophy final – a T20 tri-series between India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – he had been sent ahead of Dinesh Karthik in their run chase of 167.
If only Mominul Haque hadn’t lost his wicket on the stroke of lunch, Bangladesh would’ve scored 350-plus.
Yeah that’s why I said most likely. I don’t think the players will have the last game against England in WC 2015 or the match against the kiwis a few days ago. Fingers crossed they push the Poms right till the end which we’re capable of
The Tigers force the Poms to confront the ghosts of Adelaide 2015
Yep Soumya Sarkar. Averaging high 30s at strike rate of over 100. Just needs to be a bit more consistent. Mortaza is an MP now and will likely retire after the WC. He needs to imrpove his bowling ASAP. Need Rubel Hossain (the man who bowled Anderson at Adelaide 2015) to come in with a bit more extra pace on a juicy Cardiff pitch
Tigers, Blackcaps lock horns looking to build momentum
If one of our openers can convert their starts, that would make our total a lot higher. England next and after this performance and willingness to fight till the last ball, I feel we can take on the Poms. But like I said openers need to convert their starts. Mushy will be looking to make up for that mistake and will be charged up – England will feel his wrath
Tigers, Blackcaps lock horns looking to build momentum
Well that was a brilliant fightback. I don’t like blaming individuals but many Bangladesh fans will dwell on that mistake.
Tigers, Blackcaps lock horns looking to build momentum
The belief in the boys of beating bigger sides consistently begun in March 2012. People remember the day Sachin got his 100th international ton at the Asia Cup, I remember it as our highest chase (No disrespect to Sachin but unforgettable night as a 10 year old who finally fell in love with the Bangladesh team that night. At that time, our highest is 319 vs Scotland in the 2015 WC if memory serves me right). We beat Sri Lanka 2 days later and went to the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. Heartbreakingly lost by 2 runs, players and fans bursting out in tears. Finished off 2012 with an ODI series win against the Windies who had a pretty decent side then with the likes of Gayle, Russell and Pollard in form. 2013 was a good year drawing a test series against the Kiwis and then thrashing them 3-0 in the ODI’s without Shakib who had dengue fever. 2014 was a horrid year. Lost to Afghanistan in Asia Cup (they didn’t have Rashid or Mujeeb then) and Hong Kong in the t20 world cup. Shakib was suspended for discliplinary issues. Didn’t win a game on tour of Windies. Then we made the change that was for the better of our cricket. Mashrafe Mortaza became our white ball format captain. Under him – WC quarters, CT semis (thanks English weather), series wins vs India, Saffas, whitewashed Pakistan, 2 Asia Cup finals (lost both to India) and two series wins against Windies alonsgide a very competitive series against the Poms which we lost 2-1. The muted celebrations after beating SA shows the players aren’t getting overhyped and are charging themselves for tomorrow’s game against Williamson’s boys.
Bangladesh's performance a cause for celebration
We didn’t prepare well for that series at all. Our squad went from playing in the Bangladesh t20 league on terrible pitches to hard surfaces in a matter of days without any proper preparation. I still fondly remember watching that game in 2017 staying up till around 5am. Personally I don’t think it will be a convincing win for the Blackcaps if they don’t fire with the new ball. That being said even first change Lockie Ferguson can have an impact. The muted celebrations against the Saffas show we are really serious about this WC and looks like they are charged up for the encounter tomorrow night
Tigers, Blackcaps lock horns looking to build momentum
Don’t forget Pakistan in 1999. That was on another level. We were an associate nation and the rivalry due to the history between the nations (Bangladesh was part of Pakistan for 24 years till civil war gave us independence for those who may not know) made it an important game for us. To defend 221 against that Pakistan side was something extraordinary. Makes me think if we had scored 210ish against the Windies. We could’ve made a shock entry into the super sixes. But now bring on the Kiwis. They are a world class side but their middle order is iffy. Get early wickets and we give ourselves a chance. Channel that Cardiff performance from 2 years ago boys
Bangladesh surprise South Africa by 21 runs
Good read. I’m so nervous for the final my palms are already sweaty. If Papa can keep Hazard quiet we have a good chance. COYG
Baku through Arse-coloured glasses
Since CT 2017 final – Amir has only taken 5 wickets in 15 games at 92.5 or thereabouts. Junaid Khan may have had a poor 2019 so far but he’s a far better limited overs bowler than Amir right now. On a sadder note poor bloke Asif Ali gets called up to the Pakistan squad and his daughter died of cancer in the space of two days.
The Roar's Cricket World Cup preview series: Pakistan
Mavi and Nagarkoti have a lot of potential. Mavi was okay last year but he needs to develop a slower ball – can’t always be predictable with that much pace. As a KKR fan, we need to develop those two over Prithvi Raj. Prasidh was very unlucky not to take wickets a lotta of his boundaries conceded were edges or dropped catches.
The eight emerging Indian players from IPL 2019
Disagree about the key player. IMO that clearly goes to Mathews. Poor bloke has to carry so much dead wood whenever he plays for Sri Lanka. Thisara Perera is another dangerous player. Nearly won Sri Lanka a game against the Kiwis single handedly Marcus Stoinis style only to hole out 20 runs short of victory.
The Roar's Cricket World Cup preview series: Sri Lanka
Burns, Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Head, Patterson, Paine, Starc, Cummins Hazlewood, Lyon, Copeland, J Richardson,Sayers, Holland, Handscomb, Wade
Versatility crucial in Australia's Ashes squad
I hope so. If CA really do priorotise test cricket, they need to host and play against the lower ranked nations more often rather than t20 games. Was looking forward to flying up north to back my boys. If things go right in the t20 qualifiers, we should get 2 games in the t20 wc in Sydney next year. Fingers crossed that goes well
Day-night Perth Test, March ODI series confirmed as CA reveal next summer's fixtures
This is karma coming to bite back. The comment section sees fans being frustrated at BCCI’s control over world cricket. While this is true to an extent, the BCCI are following the FTP (Future Tours Programme). Something Cricket Australia did not do with the disrespect they had shown by cancelling Bangladesh’s tour down under last year. The fact that broadcasters could overrule the FTP was disgraceful and outright disgusting We sucked it up and got on with it. Time CA, the players, fans and broadcasters do as well.
Day-night Perth Test, March ODI series confirmed as CA reveal next summer's fixtures
I would’ve loved to honestly he’s my favourite Pakistani bowler I have seen bowl in my life. But his form since the Champions Trophy has been very poor. Too risky to take him hoping he can redo what he did in 2017.
My Cricket World Cup squad: Pakistan
I think with the rise of Faheem Ashraf – should Pakistan want to play just the lone spinner, Shadab will be selected as he’s the better spinner. Should they want someone to tie up one end though, Imad Wasim will play as the lone spinner
My Cricket World Cup squad: Pakistan
Yeah their over reliance on Zaman and Babar is crucial. It’s always been their bowlers who win them games so I reckon they’ll follow a similar pattern to what they did to their success at the Champions Trophy. My grandparents are from Kolkata, my parents are from Bangladesh but I’m born and brought up in Sydney so I go for Bangladesh first, then India and then Australia. Still got a soft spot for Afghanistan and Windies.
My Cricket World Cup squad: Pakistan
Mash has always been a fan of using 3 or more seamers even at home for odi cricket. When we beat India in 2015 2-1, it was because he pushed for four seamers in the XI. However the lack of quicks for tests is very concerning. They rarely get a bowl in domestic or international cricket at home. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – we need to produce pitches with more grass covering and play with the dukes ball. That way the batters technique can be tested at domestic level rather than get exposed brutally in international cricket while fast bowlers will like bowling with the new ball and spinners will learn how to bowl defensively which they can’t even on the subcontinent let alone outside the sc. As for your prediction based on form I can understand why you say that. I think there are 3 games where we’ll be the favourites to win while there are 2 out of 6 games as underdogs where we’ll have to cause upsets if we want to make semis. But like I said if we don’t make semis i won’t be dissapointed it’s just a game of cricket.
My Cricket World Cup squad: Bangladesh
Yeah it was a tough few days for me personally knowing 2 of the victims. Mortaza will gee these players up he just has his ways. He’ll use the terror attack victims and a few other unfortunate events thar have happened in BD as inspiration and motivation for us to win. But like I said the players should just enjoy the occasion as it’s just a game of cricket
My Cricket World Cup squad: Bangladesh
I had first seen Gunaratne play in 2017 vs Australia and he had shown so much promise. Why he never got a consistent run we have no idea to be honest. Gunathilaka is 50/50. On his day bloody dangerous but too inconsistent. Could say the same for most of the squad tbh. Senanayake won’t be in contention otherwise he’d start a mankad storm :D. As a Bangladesh fan I’m lowkey a bit happy to see Hathu fail after the way he left us karma lol. But I honestly do feel bad for Sri Lankan cricket and the lows it has gone through since Sanga and co retired. But there is a bright future in test cricket. Limited overs? That’s a completely different task
My Sri Lanka World Cup squad
I haven’t seen much of Fernando before the SA series thus my reason for not selecting him. Obviously you seem to have better analysis of the Sri Lankan team being a Sri Lankan fan yourself. I’m unsure about Chameera he’s good on his day but too many off days in my opinion
My Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Except Australia has one part in their batting over South Africa – their ability to play spin in the middle overs. By picking players like Handscomb and Khawaja, they have formulated a way to bat in the middler over better. If you look at SA’s 2015 World Cup run, most of it was done by ABD and Rossouw. They’ve lost both of them to retirement and Kolpak deal which has hampered their batting in the middle overs as they were both excellent players of both pace and spin but specially spin
My Cricket World Cup squad: South Africa
My best XI would be – De Kock, Amla, Van Der Dussen, Du Plessis, Duminy, Miller, Morris, Phehlukwayo, Rabada, Steyn, Tahir.
I don’t know if they can to be honest. They got smashed 5-1 at home last year to India. It’s gonna be interesting for the Saffas because for once they’re not one of the favourites. As one of the underdogs, can they surprise the better ODI teams? Maybe but the batting has to step up
My Cricket World Cup squad: South Africa
Only question mark for me is Colin Munro but still a very good squad.
New Zealand name Cricket World Cup squad
Before the WC started I felt we can beat the sides ranked lower than us which would = 3 wins. Out of the other sides ranked higher than us, I was confident vs Saffas and Pakistan. If we beat England that’s a bonus win and a better chance of making the semis. Don’t get me wrong Windies and Afghan could beat us but we’ve beaten them recently in a tri series final and Asia Cup when it mattered.
The Tigers force the Poms to confront the ghosts of Adelaide 2015