2007 Cricket World Cup Squad Preview - Bangladesh

2007 Cricket World Cup
	Australia
	Bangladesh
	Bermuda
	Canada
	England
	India
	Ireland
	Kenya
	Netherlands
	New Zealand
	Pakistan
	Scotland
	South Africa
	Sri Lanka
	West Indies
	Zimbabwe

Bangladesh are the minnows of the top tier of International cricket. They have only really had one decent result since joining the top frey – an incredible win against Australia in England in 2005.

They have a difficult group to advance from, including India, Sri Lanka and Bermuda. That said, they will be confident of a shock win against one of the two more established Test sides, and they ought to thump Bermuda. Bangladesh are a steadily improving side, with lots of young talent blossoming.

Habibul Bashar

Type: Batsman, Captain
Bashar has been reliable in the middle order for Bangladesh, but his ODI statistics are much worse than his Test statistics. He will need to perform here to inspire Bangladesh to do great things.

Abdur Razzak

Type: Bowler
Razzak is a quality slow bowler that is making waves on the sub-continent. In a few years he could be great for Bangladesh, and already he seems like their best prospect. A useful late order batsman too.

Aftab Ahmed

Type: Batsman
Another young slugger, Ahmed could be a star of the competition with his exciting batting. May even help out with the ball.

Javed Omar

Type: Batsman (opener)
Another useful opener, Omar is not going to win you games, but he’ll give you a solid start to the innings.

Mashrafe Mortaza

Type: Bowler
Mortaza is Bangladesh’s best bowler, and is still only 23. He could be a great player by the next World Cup, but he is still crucial to the Bangladeshi team. A useful hitter of the ball too.

Mohammad Ashraful

Type: All Rounder
Another young player with potential. Ashraful scored his only ODI century in the match they beat Australia, and he could be the key to their success in this competition. A solid performer with the ball too.

Mohammad Rafique

Type: Bowler
Rafique is the only member of this side that played when Bangladesh were a non-Test playing nation. Their best spinner, a lot will be expected of him. Can bat a bit too. This could be the last World Cup for Rafique, who was instrumental in gaining Bangladesh its test status.

Mushfiqur Rahim

Type: Batsman, Wicketkeeper
Rahim could be one of the top keeper-batsman in the world in future years. He has now overtaken Khaled Mashud as Bangladeshi Number 1. This tournament could be the making or breaking of him.

Rajin Saleh

Type: Batsman
Another youngster developing, Saleh is one of the top batsmen in Bangladesh, after playing brilliantly recently against Australia. May help out with the ball.

Saqibul Hasan

Type: All Rounder
Will be 20 in the World Cup, and he could be Bangladeshi cricket’s first idol. He bats aggressively, and has been good with the ball too. Could be a future star.

Shahadat Hossain

Type: Bowler
Another fast bowler with excellent promise, Hossain will need to be at his best with the new ball if Bangladesh are to have a chance.

Shahriar Nafees

Type: Batsman (opener)
Established as Bangladesh’s best batsman, Nafees is still only 21. He could be a revelation in the Caribbean.

Syed Rasal

Type: Bowler
Yet another young fast bowler that could be good for Bangladesh in future seasons.

Tamim Iqbal

Type: Batsman
He’ll be 18 when the World Cup starts, and he is the youngest player in the tournament. He has shown incredible form in the last first-class season, and is reckoned to be Bangladesh’s best batting prospect. Could shine in this tournament.

Tapash Baisya

Type: Bowler
Thrown into the side at 19, Baisya started his International career badly, but has come back into the frey with good performances recently.

Strengths

Confidence of youth
Learning all the time
Not expected to win – no pressure

Weaknesses

Completely inexperienced
Not proven against the best teams
No backup wicketkeeper

Verdict

The Bangladesh side is going to be great in eight years time. They have huge talent, and they could develop into a team that merits a place in the later stages of the World Cup. But not just yet. Whilst they will undoubtedly have a chance against the stronger sides, and recent improvements have seen them go from just beating Zimbabwe to comfortably thrashing them, they look a good side for the future. Their statistics are biased since they have played Zimbabwe a lot, and the World Cup could find them out against top notch opposition. They should come third in the group, and may fancy their chances against an aging Sri Lanka side. Not picking Khaled Mashud as backup wicketkeeper was an error, since he would have brought experience that now only Rafique can bring.

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