ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Bangladesh Team Preview, Squad, Key Players and Probable Playing XI
Failing to make the Super 12 stage directly via the rankings, Bangladesh will enter the T20 World Cup with a point to prove.
The Asian giants will look to navigate through the preliminary round and take down some major opponents in the next stage.
However, as part of Group B in the initial stage, Bangladesh have three leading associate teams, including co-host Oman, in their way, posing a challenge that they would well not to take lightly.
In what promises to be a riveting battle for the top 2 slots in Group B, Bangladesh will be taking on Scotland (October 17), Oman (Oct 19) and Papua New Guinea (Oct 21) in Al Amerat.
Also Read: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: India Team Preview, Squad, Key Players And Probable Playing XI
Will Bangladesh rise to the challenge at the T20 World Cup?
Captain: Mahmudullah
Head coach: Russell Domingo
Claim To Fame: Super 8s (2007), Super 10s (2014 and 2016)
Bangladesh Squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2021
Mahmudullah (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Kumar Das, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shamim Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed.
Reserves: Rubel Hossain, Aminul Islam Biplob
Strengths: Spin. Bangladesh have multiple spinners in their squad, with the great Shakib leading the pack and Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed and other useful part-time spin options that can be employed at any point. This strength is expected to help Bangladesh maintain a wood over their Group B oppositions. And if the ball grips and turns, Bangladesh also have unorthodox pacers like Mustafizur and Islam to make excellent use of the conditions through their slow balls and cutters.
Area of Concern: Batting and more specificially, power-hitting. Bangladesh lack the batting depth and range on flatter surfaces to put oppositions under pressure with a giant score. Their spin-heavy attack is mostly nullified in such conditions and that exposes the gaps in their batting against quality attacks. With that in mind, Bangladesh will be willing on the surfaces to deteriorate quickly in the T20 World Cup across UAE and play 140-150 par score matches where they can be very competitive.
Key Bangladesh Players for T20 World Cup 2021
1. Shakib Al Hasan
Easily Bangladesh’s greatest all-round cricketer Shakib is extremely important to his team’s chances. When Shakib is holding firm in the middle-order and bowling four tight overs, Bangladesh look a different side. Shakib has scored 1,763 runs and taken 106 wickets at 6.73 runs per over in his T20I career.
2. Mustafizur Rahim
With the likelihood of ball gripping and turning off the deck, Mustafizur’s left-arm cutters and ability to surprise the batter with skiddish pace and yorkers could prove lethal at the T20 World Cup. Mustafizur also looked in decent form and rhythm recently in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. The Bangladesh speedster has now taken 76 wickets from his 58 T20Is with an economy rate of 7.48.
3. Soumya Sarkar
Given the kind of batting unit they possess, Bangladesh require opener Soumya Sarkar to be consistently blasting the opposition down in the powerplay. Sarkar at his best can provide quickfire starts that give them momentum through their innings. The left-hander had shown solid form when Bangladesh travelled to Zimbabwe earlier this year. He can also chip in with useful overs of medium fast bowling when required.
Probable Bangladesh Playing XI for ICC T20 World Cup 2021
Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah (c), Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam