World Cup 2007 - Review of Cricket Teams - Bangladesh

Introduction:

The minnows from Asia. A comparatively new entrant in the international cricket, Bangladesh has emerged as one of the major cricket playing nations in Asia and the world. The Bangladesh Cricket Team has recorded some stunning victories against some of the world's leading cricket teams, including Australia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies. They defeated a mighty Pakistani side in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, and even stunned the world champion Australia, defeating them by 5 wickets in the 2005 NatWest Series in England. Bangladesh is a full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and one-day international status. Nick-named as the Tigers - after the Royal Bengal Tigers- the Bangladesh Cricket Team can earn a good respect among cricket fans worldwide, and the team holds great prospects for the future.

Current Form:

They had plenty of joyful cricket memories during the eventful year of 2006.The first home one-day international series of 2006 began with some optimism for Bangladesh, who registered their first-ever win against Lankans in the second ODI series.In the end of July Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe as the ODI series favourites but lost by three games to two. However, in August, the team defeated Kenya in all three matches of a series and subsequently went on to whitewash Zimbabwe in an ODI series staged in Bangladesh.In the same year, Bangladesh went close to winning a Test match against the world champion Australia. Australia ultimately prevailed by a mere three wickets, the result influenced by some poor fielding and a great knock by Australian captain Punter.

Probable Squad

Habibul Bashar (captain)
Khaled Mashud
Javed Omar
Nafis Iqbal
Mohammad Ashraful
Aftab Ahmed
Rajin Saleh
Shahriar Nafis
Khaled Mahmud
Mohammad Rafique
Tapash Baisya
Mashrafe Mortaza
Enamul Huque Jr
Alok Kapali
Syed Rasel
Shahadat Hossain

Tournament History:

World Cup

1975 Not eligible - Not an ICC member
1979 to 1996 inclusive: Did not qualify
1999 First round
2003 First round

ICC Champions Trophy

2002 First round
2004 First round
2006 9th place

SWOT for World Cup:

The best find of 2006 for Bangladesh was Shahriar Nafees , the oqener who in his present form,should remain there for the foreseeable future. At first down, however, it is a different picture altogether. The experimentation continues, from #2, all the way to #8 or #9. These positions seem to be in a perpetual flux. In the last 21 ODIs played, starting all the way back from the ODI series against Ponting and Co. Between positions #3 and #7,bangladeshis have employed the service of a total of 14 batsmen in the last 21 ODIs. Of that only 6 can be considered to continue playing in the positions.The Averages and Strikerates in brackets.

Aftab(25.5 / 74.63) – Played 20 of those 21 ODIs
Ashraful(29.78 / 71.09), Bashar(30.18 / 63.97) and Saqib(45.13 / 67.60) – 13 times each
Khaled Mashud(23 / 49.88) – 10 times (remember, position 3 to 7 only)
Farhad Reza(28.25 / 78.20) – 9 times.

The raw data for this "Staying power" number, remains pretty steady, in congruence with the batsman's batting averages and strike rate. For example, it is not as if Aftab has an incredible strike rate of 200 in one match and a lethargic 14 in the next one. The peaks and troughs remain within a reasonable range, compared to the batsman's average strike rate. They ought to settle down with a combination right about now. For better or for worse, need to back the guys 100% all the way through the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Experimentations can be resumed after the tournament is over.

Enamul Haque Jr. is seen by many as a good turner of the ball and a world-class spinner, although some think that he will only make a mediocre bowler. Most agree that he has not been tested too much in 2006, but deserved quite more opportunities as he always looks for wicket. WC '07 would be a good test for this youngster, along with the speed trio of Tapash Baisya , Shahadat Hossain and Syed Rasel.

Prediction:

Bangladesh is placed in Group B of the ICC World Cup 2007 groupings, along with India, Sri Lanka and Bermuda. The team will start its 2007 World Cup campaign against India on March 17, 2007 in Trinidad and Tobago. Bangladesh might overcome Bermuda very easily. They have defeated Lanka recently and nothing can be said about India, so all in all there are all chances that Bangladesh might spring some surprises.

Other teams
Test playing Nations : India | Pakistan | West Indies | Sri Lanka | New Zealand | South Africa | England | Australia
Non test playing Nations : Canada | Bermuda | Scotland | Zimbabwe | Kenya | The Netherlands | Ireland | Bangladesh
Who will win Cricket world cup 2007?