Habibul Bashar optimistic about Bangladesh's chances in Champions Trophy 2017

Former Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar is very happy with the current lot of the Bangladesh cricket team. In a recent column for icc-cricket.com, he wrote at length about the history of the Champions Trophy and what it means for Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi team had failed to qualify for the previous two editions of the tournament. This year, they managed to pip West Indies in the rankings to enter the tournament.

Habibul Bashar noted that it is a great feeling to be back in the mega event. The history of the tournament is not having the greatest of results for the Bangla tigers. However, Bashar feels that they take pride from the fact that they were the hosts of the inaugural edition of the tournament. He cited the 2000 edition held in Kenya to be the season that left deep imprint on cricket in Bangladesh.

“It feels great to see Bangladesh back in the ICC Champions Trophy. We have a long history with the tournament, even though we don’t have great results to show for, but I am delighted that after having missed the 2009 and 2013 editions, we are back in the second most prestigious 50-over tournament after the World Cup,” Habibul Bashar wrote.

“We take great pride in the fact that we hosted the first edition of the tournament. Even though we were not a part of the tournament, it was the first exposure for the people of Bangladesh to high-quality international cricket, and I really can’t quantify the impact it had on Bangladesh cricket. Our first foray into the event was in the second edition, in Nairobi in 2000,” he added further.

First taste of the big stage

He recalled that the team had lost the game against England by an embarrassing 8 wickets margin. However, the fact that they managed to rub shoulders with some of the international greats was a chance of a lifetime. With utmost honesty, Habibul remarked that the tournament was Bangladesh’s first taste of real cricket. The kind of influence their participation in the tournament had, was immense.

“Admittedly, we went down to England by eight wickets, but it was the first time we were sharing a hotel with the top players in the world, able to talk to them and pick their brains, and also watch them go about their business, both when it came to preparation and to actual execution of skills. It was an eye-opener for us as a team and as individuals, and I can state with all honesty that those few days were to have a massive influence on how our cricket developed,” he wrote.

On the current lot of players

In the recent times, team Bangladesh have done exceedingly well. They drew the Test series level against England at home. They then marched onto Sri Lankan soil where they leveled the Test, ODIs, and the T20I series. They are currently in Ireland for their preparations for the Champions Trophy. Habibul Bashar feels that the experience of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim will come in handy this time around.

Earlier, even Shakib had called the current Bangladesh setup as the best ever that they have had over the years. Bashar added that the experience of these gentlemen can be combined with the exuberance of youngsters like Mustafizur Rahman. Hence, the overall blend will be something to watch out for.

“That confidence stems from the experience and the quality that the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mashrafe Mortaza bring with them. Most of them have been around for a decade now, have played in all parts of the world and understand what the demands and the nuances of the 50-over game are,” he noted.

“Throw in the youthful exuberance and the undisputed skills of Soumya Sarkar and Mustafizur Rahman, and there is a solid core group that Bangladesh can bank on to drive them,” he added further.

Competitive bowling attack

Lastly, he remarked that a lot of the end results in the mega event will depend on how the pitches fare up in England. In any case, he believes that Bangladesh are well equipped for the tournament. If the pitches turn out to be dry, then the spinners will take charge. On greener turfs, the pace bowlers will come into the picture for sure.

“Plenty will of course depend on what kind of pitches we get in England, in the first half of June. If they are dry, I expect Bangladesh’s spinners to come into the picture, but even otherwise, we have the pace resources to trouble the best in the world. It will be tough, I am under no illusion; after all, we are clubbed with Australia, England and New Zealand, but I believe the fast-bowling unit of Mashrafe, Mustafizur, Rubel Hossain and the pacy Taskin Ahmed can hold their own against any batting group,” Habibul Bashar conceded.