Bangladesh would come to the World Cup on the back of a controversy around Tamim Iqbal. Tamim, the most successful batsman that Bangladesh has ever produced, was not selected for the World Cup. Time will only tell if that was a good decision to make.
In Tamim's absence, they might struggle to find a good opening partner for Litton Das. Das has been the most successful Bangladesh batsman in the last 2 years and he also scores runs at a fast rate, but not having Tamim on the other end will definitely add extra pressure on him. Tanzid Hasan is the designated opener, but his record in the limited chances he received is not compelling and he might just be the backup opener. The warm-up games will give him a chance to prove his mettle. If Tanzid does not make the best of the opportunities in the warmup games, Bangladesh might have to trust Mehdy Hasan Miraz to open the innings as he did recently in the Asia Cup where he scored a century against Afghanistan. If Miraz performs well, then Das and Miraz can certainly form a potent opening pair.
Their middle order is one of the most experienced in the tournament with the likes of Shakib-Al-Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah Riyad. The addition of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy will lend balance to their team. Shakib is among their most important batsmen and he will hope to replicate his performance from the last World Cup where he scored over 600 runs with 2 100s and 5 50s. Shanto is an accumulator and will bring solidity to the middle order with his ability to play long innings; he has been playing really well in the lead-up to the event. Hridoy is one of the most exciting players in the Bangladesh team. His ability to score quickly in the middle overs will give the Bangla Tigers an advantage.
The veterans, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, will don the role of finishers. Rahim has been batting at No.6 for over a year now and he has been performing well in that role. Mahmudullah was out of the side for some time now, but with the omission of Tamim, the management seems to have called back him to have some experience in the team. Mahmudullah might not be the same player he used to be before, but he will certainly give the team a good finish and in the event of a batting collapse he can certainly hold one end up and keep the scoreboard moving.
Bangladesh's pace bowling has increased leaps and bounds in the last few years. Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud will lead the pace attack that also comprises Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzim Hasan. Sakib. Taskin has been one of the vital cogs in Bangladesh's rise at the international level. Spin, as always, will be Bangladesh's major weapon. They have the all-round duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehdy Hasan Miraz along with the economical Nasum Ahmed. Add the quality of Mahedi Hasan and that makes them one of the spin-dominant attacks to watch out for.
15-man squad
Batsmen
Najmul Hossain Shanto
Tanzid Hasan
Towhid Hridoy
Wicket Keepers
Mushfiqur Rahim
Litton Das
All-Rounders
Shakib Al Hasan
Mahedi Hasan
Mahmudullah
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Bowlers
Taskin Ahmed
Hasan Mahmud
Mustafizur Rahman
Shoriful Islam
Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Nasum Ahmed
Probable Playing XI
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Litton Das
Najmul Hossain Shanto
Shakib Al Hasan
Towhid Hridoy
Mushfiqur Rahim
Mahmudullah
Nasum Ahmed
Taskin Ahmed
Hasan Mahmud
Mustafizur Rahman
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