T20 World Cup 2021 Team Preview – Bangladesh

Remember Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed? The two names aren’t at the forefront of Bangladesh cricket anymore. But their knocks of 61 and 62 in the Tigers’ maiden win in a T20 World Cup game remains a happy memory for fans. Ashraful became the Player of the Match for playing at a strike rate of 225.92. 14 years ago, Bangladesh beat West Indies by six wickets in Johannesburg.

Since then, Bangladesh have beaten Afghanistan, Nepal, Netherlands and Oman in the world event. However, victory against the top-ranked teams has eluded them. The closest they got was in 2016, when lost to India by one run after failing to score two runs off their last three balls. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah got out after which Mustafizur Rahman was run out at the striker’s end.

In 2021, they failed to make a direct entry into the Super 12s and will have to go through the Group stage. Mahmudullah, their most successful T20I skipper, will lead them. The Tigers are set to start their campaign on October 17 against Scotland in Al Amerat. Can Mahmudullah give Bangladesh their second world title after Akbar Ali led the U19 team to glory last year? Let’s time reveal.

Build-up form

To start with, Bangladesh couldn’t make the Super 12s due to their low rankings. However, 2021 has been kind to them thus far, at least in the 20-over format. They started the year with a 0-3 loss in a series where the likes of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan didn’t take part. But from there on, the Tigers have risen like a phoenix from the ashes and are currently ICC’s No.6 ranked T20I team.

In the rankings, they are placed above the likes of Australia, Afghanistan and West Indies. Mahmudullah and Co. have won their last three T20I series from July. Although their 2-1 win over Zimbabwe holds significance, they created history after they defeated Australia 4-1 at home. The series also marked the first instance when Bangladesh beat the Aussies in a T20 International.

The hosts won the first three games in Dhaka to seal the fate of the series. Thereafter, they beat the Black Caps 3-2 at home. The Tigers used home advantage to good effect and raced to the win. Interestingly, the series witnessed the first occasion when the Tigers got past the Kiwis in T20I. But the question remains as to whether or not Bangladesh can carry their bilateral form into a multi-nation event.

Strengths and Weaknesses

For over a decade, the Tigers have relied heavily on Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah in the batting department. This time around, they won’t be having the services of Tamim, who decided to back out of the tournament, having last played more than and one and half years ago. It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise as Mohammad Naim has shown a lot of fluency.

Moreover, Tamim’s average in T20 World Cups against top-ranked teams isn’t the best. In fact, among Bangladesh’s top 12 leading run-scorers, Naim has the best batting average of 27.14. Liton Das has shown a lot of promise, but he has the tendency to get carried while playing his shots. Mushfiqur is a stalwart, but that he only has five half-centuries from 82 innings is a bit of concern.

Going into the World Cup, the Tigers will be worried about their power-hitting in death overs. Among the current bunch of players, Shamim Hossain has a strike rate of 144, but his average of 14.40 is a tad underwhelming. Shuvagata Hom strikes at 135.86 in T20 cricket, but he isn’t a part of the squad. If the Tigers need around 40 runs in the last three overs, they could be in trouble.

Shakib and Mustafizur Rahman will hold the key in the bowling department. Shakib is the only Bangladesh bowler to have picked up more than 100 wickets in T20Is. But Mustafizur has a better bowling strike rate. If the duo stays on top of their game, opponents may not find it easy. But apart from Mustafizur, the Tigers don’t have an accomplished pacer something that could hurt them.

Adaptability and flexibility

The World Cup will be played in four venues- Al Amerat, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The track in Sharjah is expected to assist the slower bowlers and the likes of Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur, Nasum Ahmed and Shakib could come into play big time. Even in Abu Dhabi, change of pace and slow bowling are likely to pay dividends for them. In Dubai, the Tigers may end up gasping for breath.

Rubel Hossain, their only player in the reserves, has blown hot and cold over the last two years or so. The Tigers also don’t have a leg-spinner in their ranks after Aminul Islam Biplob left for home. If dew ends up playing a part, their finger spinners may end up becoming completely ineffective.

Probable finish 

Bangladesh are placed with Oman, Papua New Guinea and Scotland in Group B. Mahmudullah’s men are most likely to end in the top two in Group B, barring a miracle. However, if they make it to the Super 12s, they need to win at least three out of their five matches to have any chance of qualifying for the semis. Their potential is unquestionable, but going beyond the first round may turn out to be a long shot for them.

Schedule

17 October – vs Scotland, Al Amerat

19 October – vs Oman, Al Amerat

21 October – vs Papua New Guinea, Al Amerat