ICC World Cup 2023 Bangladesh Squad
Bangladesh squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 has a mix of youth and experienced players led by veteran Shakib Al Hasan.
The Bangla Tigers are embarking on their quest for their first major world title as they enter their 7th ODI World Cup. Bangladesh has been one of those teams that has witnessed remarkable improvement over the years and currently boasts a well-settled core team across all three formats.
The squad is characterized by a balanced blend of youth and experience, a trend seen in most of the participating countries in the upcoming event. Leading the charge is the seasoned all-rounder and captain for Tests and T20Is, the 36-year-old Shakib Al Hasan, who is set to helm the team in what could potentially be his final appearance in this prestigious tournament.
Bangladesh Squad for the 2023 World Cup
1. Shakib Al Hasan (c)
2. Litton Kumer Das
3. Tanzid Hasan Tamim
4. Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc)
5. Tawhid Hridoy
6. Mushfiqur Rahim
7. Mahmudullah Riyad
8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz
9. Nasum Ahmed
10. Shak Mahedi Hasan
11. Taskin Ahmed
12. Mustafizur Rahman
13. Hasan Mahmud
14. Shoriful Islam
15. Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Bangladesh’s Batting Woes
Bangladesh faces a significant challenge in their opening batting partnership, boasting the worst average among World Cup teams since January 2022. Their openers have managed to accumulate just 30.3 runs per wicket. The saga of uncertainty in Bangladesh cricket surrounding regular opener Tamim Iqbal, his fitness concerns, and eventual exclusion from the side has added to the predicament. Litton Das will take up the mantle of opening alongside the young Tanzid Hasan, while Najmul Hassan Shanto will occupy the crucial number 3 spot.
Opening Batting Averages and Strike Rate in ODIs since 2022
The top three have collectively managed an average of 32.2 since 2022. Positions 4 through 7 are typically occupied by all-rounders, including the seasoned skipper Shakib, the in-form Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahmudullah, and the promising Mahedi Hasan. The former skipper and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim provides stability in the middle phase and stands as the second-highest run-scorer for the team since 2022.
Litton Das has been the team's leading run-scorer in the format since the beginning of 2022, amassing 915 runs at an average of 36.6, featuring seven fifties and a remarkable century with a score of 136. The conundrum surrounding the number 4 position has continued to trouble the Bangladesh side. While Mushfiqur Rahim primarily played in that role, he has been moved further down the order. The team has experimented with Towhid Hridoy, Shakib, Shanto, and even Litton in that slot, yet Mahmudullah and Mehidy are also capable of batting in that position. It appears that the vacant spot will remain a revolving door for a while.
Bangladesh Top Order Batting Average in ODIs since 2022
The batters have also struggled to accelerate their scoring throughout the innings. Bangladesh's strike rates in the first powerplay (79.5), middle overs (82.4), and death overs (117) are modest, suggesting that the batting lineup will need to summon something extraordinary in the World Cup to overcome their opposition.
Spin-Heavy All-Rounders
Captain Shakib Al Hasan, currently ranked as the number 1 all-rounder in the ICC ODI rankings, also holds the distinction of being Bangladesh's all-time leading wicket-taker in the format. Since 2022, he has impressively secured 31 wickets in 25 matches, maintaining both his average and strike rate under 30, with a remarkable economy rate of 4.39. Not only has he been effective with the ball, but Shakib has also contributed 784 runs to the team's cause, featuring two centuries in the format.
A significant asset for the side is the splendid form of Mehidy Hasan Miraz. He has amassed 620 runs, including two centuries in the same period, and is the team's leading wicket-taker with 36 scalps. Both Shakib and Mehidy possess the knack for taking crucial wickets in the middle phase of an innings. Mehidy has also shown his ability to bowl effectively in the death overs, where he has collected 9 wickets at a remarkable strike rate of 11.6. In conditions not alien to spin, such as those in India, these two players are set to play pivotal roles, given their experience and form.
Veteran Mahmudullah has made a return to the squad, and his off-breaks could prove to be valuable throughout the tournament. Youngster Mahedi Hasan is another off-spinner in the squad, having played only 5 ODIs thus far.
A Well-Balanced Mix of Pace and Spin Bowling
The Bangladeshi bowling unit is arguably the strongest it has ever been in their ODI history. It boasts a rich variety of both spinners and pace bowlers. With Shakib, Mahedi, and Mehidy contributing effectively with both bat and ball, the pace battery includes Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzim Hasan Shakib.
Bowling Strike Rate in ODIs since 2022
Thanks to this formidable attack, Bangladesh's bowling unit collectively boasts a better strike rate since 2022 compared to teams like Australia, New Zealand, and even world champions England. The Bangladeshi bowlers have managed to take a wicket every 32.8 balls. In the first powerplay, their strike rate of 34.6 ranks second only to India. The only chink in their armour appears to be the absence of a wrist spinner, as their strike rate during the middle phase of the innings drops to 40.5. However, in the death overs, they climbed to the second position with a strike rate of 14.9, just behind Pakistan's strike rate of 14.8.
Shoriful Islam has been a revelation, picking up 28 wickets since January 2022, with 18 of them coming in the first powerplay, providing Bangladesh with a steady start. Fellow left-arm pacer Mustafizur is not far behind, securing 10 powerplay wickets out of his total tally of 29. Young sensation Hasan Mahmud has chipped in with 9 powerplay wickets out of his 20 since 2022.
Beginning his career as an aggressive and expressive fast bowler, Taskin Ahmed has evolved into a valuable leader of the pace attack. He is the second-highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh after Mehidy, with 35 wickets, 21 of which were taken in the middle overs. Mehidy leads the pack with 36 wickets, 22 of them in the middle stage and 9 in the death overs. Taskin has also emerged as a potent death overs bowler with his variations, notching up 8 wickets in that crucial stage.
Bowling Strike Rate by Pacers in ODIs since 2022
While the spin department might appear slightly lacking in a wrist spinner, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed has shown promise, collecting 12 wickets in as many games. He could serve as a backup for the preferred spin all-rounders, Mehidy and Shakib. The added responsibility and pressure on these two senior players to anchor the team with both bat and ball are evident. The Bangladesh team has a history of springing surprises in World Cups, and they are poised to create a few more shocks in the upcoming edition.
*All the stats and figures are updated until the start of the World Cup.
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