How Many Preys Tigers Can Manage?

Who Wins ICC World Cup 2015?

How Many Preys Tigers Can Manage?

Bangladesh, the emerging tiger of world cricket experienced mixed success in World Cup Cricket. In every world cup that tigers played in excepting the 2003 Bangladesh created some sensation. In the very first appearance in 1999 Bangladesh rocked formidable Pakistan team at Northants England. Till playing against Bangladesh, Pakistan was looking like the team that would win the trophy .But loss to Bangladesh caused such a mental blog that Paksiatn lost two subsequent matches and more importantly the final against Australia.

That major achievement was heralded with great delight by Bangladeshis all over the world and victorious Bangladesh team was accorded grand red carpet reception on return. Bangladesh failed to perform to its potential in 2003. The performance of Bangladesh in 2007 World cup earned Bangladesh the emerging tiger tag in international cricket. Bangladesh dashed the dreams of very strong India with a spectacular win in the group round knocking them out from the tournament in the preliminary round .

Bangladesh went on beating the strong South Africa in the second round. World Cricket acknowledged the potential of Bangladesh team. 2011 World Cup was cohosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Apart from organizing almost flawless event Bangladesh caused surprise beating strong England in the preliminaries. In between Bangladesh white washed New Zealand at home in ODI series. In Asia Cup Bangladesh narrowly lost to Pakistan in the final after overwhelming India and Sri Lanka .In bilateral series against West Indies and Sri Lanka Bangladesh started proving to a team to reckon with in ODI cricket .But towards end 2013 and most of 2014 tigers performance started declining at all format of the game . All matches of bilateral series against Sri Lanka , Asia Cup and most matches of T20 world were lost .Bangladesh team was white washed in all format against West Indies .

A controversial decision kept ICC top ranked Sakib Al Hasan out an action for a period during which Bangladesh got white washed across all formats by West Indies. Sakib became available again in the domestic series against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh white washed Zimbabwe across all formats. The lost morale of the team substantially was recovered .Several players rediscovered their forms.

Date and Venue Match

Feb 14, 2015 : Manuka Oval , Canberra Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan
Feb 21, 2015 : Gabba ,Brisbane Bangladesh Vs Australia
Feb 26, 2015 : MCG, Melbourne Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka
March 5,2015: Saxton Oval, Nelson , New Zealand Bangladesh Vs Scotland
March 9,2015: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Bangladesh Vs England
March 13, 2015: Seedon Park, Hamilton. Bangladesh Vs New Zealand

Bangladesh Squad: Al-Amin Hossain, Anamul Haque, Arafat Sunny, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed
Bangladesh team above lacks another genuine experienced Opening batsman. On Australia and New Zealand wickets there are possibilities of losing early wickets. An experienced opener like Imrul Kayes could be useful inclusion. At the late middle order hard hitting Naeem Islam could deliver .He could bowl few overs of tight off spin and even could bat at top order including at opening spot. I would have liked to include teenager Leg Spinner Jubair Hossain as tramp card. Leg spinners get greater purchase on Australia New Zealand wickets. The team has one too many left arm spinner.
The first pool match of Bangladesh is extremely important. Afghanistan in limited over can be a tricky side .They have three quality pace bowlers and few aggressive batsmen. I would suggest to include an additional left arm spinner preferably Taijul to supplement Sakib for this match. Bangladesh has to win and win big for making strong statement. Bangladesh must try to with higher net run rate which may become the deciding factor at a critical stage .

The second Bangladesh plays against host Australia on fast bouncy Gabba wicket at Brisbane. Playing Australian fast bowling battery Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins/ Josh Hazzlewood will be huge challenge. Senior players –Tamim, Mushfique, Sakib and Mahamudullah have to shoulder additional responsibility. Boys must not get scared or panic from chin music. I would not say Bangladesh may not be blown away but at the same time I find no chances of Bangladesh causing any upset in the match. Our Bowlers will have also opportunity. Our quality spinners can stifle the Aussie stroke makers. Exposure to Brisbane conditions may give the boys greater confidence. Playing this match against the possibly the strongest side of the tournament early may serve good for the team to confront the others at the later stage.
The third match against Sri Lanka at MCG is another very important match for which Bangladesh think tank must have proper strategy. Bangladesh must analyze the strength and weaknesses of each Lankan players and set strategy accordingly. Sri Lankan pace attack other than Malinga must not cause huge problem on less pacey drop in wicket of MCG. Unless overawed by the very fact of playing at Iconic MCG Bangladesh should put up competitive score of 270 + at MCG. But one thing Bangladesh batsmen must remember on huge ground playing lofty strokes may bring disaster. There is huge scope of running three or even four through placing in the gaps. Bangladesh batsmen must take singles and rotate strikes as much as possible. I would like Bangladesh appear with an additional batsman and play with two pacers, Sakib, Shabbir, Nasir and Mahamudullah in the match. Bangladesh will desperately need a positive outcome from this match.Dilshan, Jayawrdene, Sangrakkara will not be seen again after this world cup .If Bangladesh can make some early inroads through Mashrafee and Taskin the others like Chandimal,. Mathhews and co will be under serious pressure.

Bangladesh plays the fourth match against Scotland at Saxton Oval, Nelson, New Zealand. There is no reason why Bangladesh should not win and win big again. Bangladesh should play two left arm spinners again though the ground is relatively smaller. Scotland is relatively weaker but Bangladesh must not be complacent and must play its A Game.
The fifth game against England at Adelaide Oval is again very critical against England .This match will depend largely on how Bangladesh bats against English pacers –Finn, Anderson and Broad. England has only two world class batsman in the team, Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan. The other batsmen including Moeen Ali, Root, Blanc and others may find quality Bangladesh spin attack a bit difficult to handle on Adelaide wicket. I will rate this match 50-50 opportunity .Team winning the match will go through at the expense of the other.
Bangladesh plays the last pool match against another host New Zealand at Hamilton. By that time a clear situation will emerge about the group standing.

Bangladesh white washed different New Zealand teams in Bangladesh. But the current team is peaking at the right time with several players in the form of their life time. It may become a bit too much for Bangladesh to expect winning this match. Black caps will have revenge in their mind. In such situation target team often find ways to deliver further insults. We hope Bangladesh think tank has worked out definite plan for this match.
Bangladesh requires three wins at a positive NRR and loses the other matches not too poorly to qualify for the quarter finals. Expecting anything beyond that will be too much of an asking. Even to do that Bangladesh must not only bat and bowl to full potential but also will have field smartly. Inspiring leader Mashrafee Murtaza has a never say die attitude. He himself will definitely make early inroads. Young Taskin can turn a star if he can bowl at right length and line. Sakib will get wickets against any team anywhere. There is opportunity for Taijul to bowl well also. Bangladeshi bowlers must not get carried away by the pace and bounce of the wicket.