The Bangladesh cricket team suffered a new low when they lost the recently concluded T20 series against Associate Nation USA. Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in the Caribbean and USA, Bangladesh’s defeat on US soil highlighted the shortcomings. Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan said it’s a wake-up call for his men as they need to take more responsibility as a unit. For skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, he needs both Shakib and fellow experienced campaigner Mahmudullah to provide their impetus with the World Cup in focus.
Bangladesh have issues and they need to fix them ahead of their opener against Sri Lanka. The batting order needs fluidity, being starved of momentum. Death bowling is another problem for the Tigers as they seek ideas to curb down their mistakes and in offerings. Bangladesh cannot just walk in and expect miracles. They have been underwhelming and one hopes to see a better performance in the coming month.
Bangladesh are placed in Group D with South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Nepal. If Bangladesh spring up and join the party, they could make it through. However, if the body language remains abysmal, Shanto’s men can even finish below tricky opponents Netherlands. So it’s that sort of a scenario for Bangladesh. The Asian side has never made it to the knockouts across eight editions. They have either faltered in the group stage or at the Super 8, Super 10 or Super 12 stages.
Here we analyze the Bangladesh squad for the T20 World Cup.
A look at Bangladesh’s 15-member squad
Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Travelling reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud.
Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh’s trump card
Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh’s ace all-rounder. The left-arm spinner is one of the finest all-rounders to play across formats. Shakib remains the highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups and is eyeing to become the first bowler to clock 50 scalps. He is the second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is (most among spinners). He is the 5th-highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket. Shakib also remains a vital cog with the bat, and his presence in the middle order is massive for Bangladesh.
Strengths of the Bangladesh cricket team
Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed remain two major strengths for the Tigers in the bowling department. Mustafizur claimed a six-wicket haul against the USA in the final match. Before that, he did well for Chennai Super Kings in the 2024 IPL season. He is the in-form player. The left-arm pacer has collected 320 T20 scalps at 27.76 (ER: 6.79). As per ESPNcricinfo, 68 of Mustafizur’s wickets have come in the powerplay overs. He will be influential at the death, having claimed 165 wickets in the last four overs at 16.82.
Taskin’s comeback will be a massive boost. He owns 183 scalps at 23.27 in T20s. Taskin brings plenty to the table and is also effective at the death, picking 57 wickets at 19.89. Bangladesh will need to use these two bowlers largely in the final 4-5 overs as they remain key performers in this phase.
Shoriful Islam has 131 scalps at 23.05. The experienced pacer can be utilized alongside Taskin and Mustafizur. The right-arm pacer has done a decent job in the power play, picking up 41 scalps in this phase. Tanzim Hasan Sakib is learning the trades and looks decent. He seems to be an option from the bench. He did an able job with the ball against the USA.
Shakib Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan are the key spinners. Shakib with his intelligence will lead the attack. Shakib will be influential in overs 7 to 16. His economy rate of 6.40 between these overs show his quality. He owns 220 wickets. 21-year-old Rishad has been a regular feature of late for Bangladesh. He has been impressive, chipping in with wickets and decent performances overall. Mahedi owns 124 scalps with an economy rate of 6.92. He averages 26.20. He lends enough support from the bench.
Soumya Sarkar is one of Bangladesh’s main assets with the bat upfront. A lot depends on how he goes about his business. Soumya has close to 4000 T20 runs. He will look to bat through and look for support from elsewhere. Skipper Shanto needs to find his form. At number three, he remains a vital figure. With over 3200 runs in T20s, Shanto has to lead his side from the front.
In the middle order, Towhid Hridoy can be influential. He has scored 2197 runs at an average of over 31. Hridoy holds the bet in his side’s middle order at number four. Shakib and Mahmudullah are the main assets in that middle order. With close to 5900 runs, Mahmudullah at number six can handle the need for acceleration. In the last four overs, he owns close to 1500 runs and strikes at 162-plus. Shakib is an able player of spin. His impact in the middle overs will be massive. The southpaw has 7267 T20 runs under his belt.
Jaker Ali has the right potential as a pinch-hitter. He can rotate alongside Mahmudullah at six or seven, depending on the match scenario.
Weaknesses of the Bangladesh cricket team
Bangladesh can struggle upfront. Soumya is good, but his T20 strike rate is a worry. One between Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das will open alongside Soumya. The latter, in particular, has struggled to find any rhythm in his game of late. Tanzid is a decent pick but a strike rate of 122 is sub-par as an opener. So, getting to those fast starts will be an issue for the Tigers.
Shanto, too, is struggling for form. In his last 15 T20I innings, he owns a solitary fifty. He owns six single-digit scores in these last 15 innings. He struggled for consistency in the home series against Zimbabwe earlier this month. Shakib, too, has struggled to find any rhythm with the bat. He cannot afford to continue in the same vein as the Tigers are heavily reliant on his services.
Consistency is a factor that is plaguing the Bangladesh batting unit. Players are not playing according to the situation. Often, when big hits are required, the inability kicks in. On other occasions, players are forcing issues when proper running between the wickets is the need of the hour. Bangladesh batters haven’t quite cracked the T20 code. They just don’t have that tempo to be dominating. Also, the over-batting strike rate of the players is way low as per the modern-day demands.
As a bowling unit, Bangladesh look fine, but they have to stick to the plans and execute them.
Author’s view: Bangla Tigers will fail to roar
Bangladesh are an inconsistent side. The likes of South Africa and Sri Lanka are the favourites to progress from the group. Bangladesh lack the bite with the bat. One doesn’t see them in the game if the target is 200 or 220-plus. Similarly, on slow surfaces, Bangladesh can be found wanting. Lack of form, poor strike rates, no desired tempo, and a sloppy fielding unit, the Tigers could go home quickly without roar.
Players to watch out for
Mustafizur Rahman: The bright spot in this Bangladesh set-up, Mustafizur can put in a a shift and lead by example. He will be keen to deliver the goods. His slower balls, cutters, and yorkers make him a bowler with a lot of variety and panache. That six-fer against the USA will pump him up.
Bangladesh’s schedule for the T20 World Cup
June 8, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas (6:00 AM IST)
June 10, South Africa vs Bangladesh – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York (8:00 PM IST)
June 13, Bangladesh vs Netherlands – Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent (8:00 PM IST)
June 17, Bangladesh vs Nepal – Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent (5:00 AM IST)