Cricket
Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
ICC World Cup starts today (October 5, 2023), and Bangladesh announced the squad on September 26. While other nations revealed their squads early, Bangladesh was the final team to make the announcement.
The day before the announcement of the World Cup team, a midnight meeting took place at the residence of the BCB president. Speculations regarding Tamim Iqbal's fitness in the media, and decisions involving Hathurusingha and Shakib Al Hasan all unfolded in a dramatic manner. In this intense situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board revealed the final Cricket World Cup team, notably without the experienced batsman Tamim.
Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad
Heading into the 2023 World Cup, Bangladesh is positioned as the underdog; however, they possess the capability to challenge the tournament favourites. Throughout this year, their performance in ODIs has been respectable, securing eight victories out of 20 matches, and one didn’t have a winner. Before the Asia Cup 2023, the captaincy responsibilities were handed over to Shakib Al Hasan, a decision prompted by Tamim Iqbal's fitness concerns.
Now that Tamim Iqbal is left out of the World Cup, fans are not seeing the Tamim-Litton pair in the opening. However, the absence of Tamim may not hamper Bangladesh’s performance. This year, Tamim Iqbal played 11 ODIs for Bangladesh and scored 283 runs. He did not have a significant contribution in most of the matches. His highest score in 2023 was 69 runs against Ireland at Chelmsford on May 14, 2023. Since Bangladesh is starting the World Cup with a balanced team, Tigers can do well without Tamim.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
The change in leadership could prove beneficial for the Bangladeshi team, considering Shakib's standing as arguably the best player in the squad. Renowned for leading from the front with his exceptional all-rounder skills, the veteran is expected to bring a fighting spirit to the team in the upcoming competition. Under their stylish all-rounder, Bangladesh aims to show some power against other tough opponents.
Bangladesh has landed in India for the 2023 World Cup with a well-balanced squad. The team comprises a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, a combination that holds potential advantages. The veterans like Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah take charge and motivate emerging talents such as Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud to deliver their best for the team.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
Strengths
Bangladesh remains competitive in cricket due to its proficient spin-bowling attack. Shakib Al Hasan's dual role as an all-rounder provides a crucial balance, particularly with his strategic bowling. Supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the team benefits from a blend of off-break and left-arm spin. Shakib's experience, especially in Indian conditions, and impressive World Cup track record make him pivotal for key matches in subcontinental settings.
Weakness
Heading to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, several teams, including Bangladesh, are dealing with injuries. Ebadot Hossain, a key fast bowler for Bangladesh, has been sidelined due to a significant knee injury, posing a substantial setback. Despite the team's management expressing the desire to include Tamim Iqbal in the squad, a persistent back injury has ultimately prevented his inclusion in the final lineup.
The Tigers' passionate displays are admirable, but their ability to control emotions during critical moments is crucial. Past controversies, like animated celebrations and verbal conflicts, raise concerns.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
Also, Bangladesh occasionally lacks a winning mentality, exemplified by Shakib Al Hasan's prior comment. Shifting towards a confident belief in winning, rather than a defensive approach, is vital for success in the upcoming games.
Key Players in Bangladesh ODI World Cup 2023
Shakib Al Hasan
In the 2019 World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan emerged as a standout performer, picked by many people as the unofficial player of the Tournament. He consistently surpassed fifty in seven out of eight innings, achieving two centuries. Remarkably, he became the first cricketer to score 500 runs and take 10 wickets in a single top-level ODI tournament.
Shakib also continued his performance in 2023. This year, he played 16 ODI matches so far and scored 549 runs with the highest runs of 93 and 5 fifties. He also took 14 wickets from 16 matches with 4/35 best bowling score. So, the Bangladesh team will greatly depend on Shakib’s performance as an all-rounder and a captain.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
25-year-old all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is an important member of the Bangladesh team. He has shown that he has the ability to play big innings when given a chance by scoring a century to open the Afghanistan match in the Asia Cup. And he is a proven name with the ball. So far, he has played 82 ODI matches for Bangladesh and grabbed 91 wickets with 4/25 best bowling innings. So, Miraz has a good chance to do some magic.
Towhid Hridoy
Despite his recent debut, Hridoy is swiftly becoming a prominent figure in Bangladesh cricket. Across various series and tournaments, he consistently makes an indelible mark with his remarkable talent. As an under-19 World Cup winner in 2020, he played a crucial role in steering Bangladesh towards its dream of winning the World Cup.
Towhid Hridoy has been impressive in the latest matches. This year, he played 17 matches and scored 518 runs with an 86.33 strike rate. Hridoy came to the limelight after his 82 and 54 runs in the 2023 Asia Cup. However, he could not give his best in the New Zealand series in September 2023. But, still, Towhid can change the game in top order.
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Taskin Ahmed
This year, Taskin appeared in 10 innings and grabbed 21 wickets. His tremendous performance in the Asia Cup 2023, taking 9 wickets from 4 matches, made him one of the players to watch in the 2023 World Cup. Notably, the 28-year-old fast bowler played a great role in Bangladesh's triumph against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2023, delivering an impressive performance with bowling figures of 4 for 44 in 8.3 overs. However, Taskin got 1 wicket in the World Cup match against Against se.
Final Words
The Bangladesh cricket squad possesses considerable talent and the potential to make a strong showing in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Nonetheless, there have been instances where the team appears to lack unity. If each player maximizes their individual talents, Bangladesh stands a chance of causing an upset in the tournament.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
ICC World Cup 2023 kicks off tomorrow
The long-awaited ICC World Cup 2023 is set to kick off tomorrow (October 5, 2023) with a highly anticipated clash between reigning champions, England, and runner-up, New Zealand, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ten teams from across the globe will compete in this year’s Cricket World Cup, with five teams from Asia. India, a passionate cricketing nation, is playing host to what is anticipated to be the most memorable World Cup in history.
Hundreds of millions of fans worldwide are expected to follow the World Cup through television broadcasts and streaming platforms, while hundreds of thousands more will witness the action live from the grounds in various states across India.
Tigers arrive in Dharamshala for their first World Cup encounter
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India is considered one of the top contenders for the title, along with defending champions England and the formidable New Zealand. Pakistan and Australia are also strong challengers on the road to the championship.
West Indies and Zimbabwe, two Test-playing nations, failed to make it to the World Cup.
Bangladesh boasts a formidable squad, led by Shakib Al Hasan, entering the tournament as the number one ODI all-rounder, for this edition of the Cricket World Cup.
Total absence from warm-ups fuels concern over Shakib's fitness
The Bangladesh squad is a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talents. Alongside Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim is set to participate in his fifth World Cup. Litton Das, Mustafizur Rahman, and Taskin Ahmed bring their wealth of World Cup experience to form a formidable force.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, Bangladesh suffered a home series loss to New Zealand, marking their first defeat to the Blackcaps on home soil in 15 years. The Tigers, however, secured a victory in their first official warm-up match against Sri Lanka before falling short in the second match against England.
Bangladesh will kick off their campaign against Afghanistan on October 7 in Dharamshala. Subsequently, they will face England at the same venue on October 10.
During the round-robin phase, Bangladesh is scheduled to play a total of nine matches in the World Cup. Following these matches, the top four teams with the highest points will progress to the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will vie for the championship on November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Bangladesh fall to England in final warm-up before World Cup
Some big matches:
While every match in the World Cup holds immense significance, certain matchups are expected to draw heightened attention from fans:
- England vs New Zealand on October 5 in Ahmedabad
- India vs Australia on October 8 in Chennai
- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka on October 10 in Hyderabad
- Australia vs South Africa on October 12 in Lucknow
- India vs Pakistan on October 14 in Ahmedabad
- India vs Bangladesh on October 19 in Pune
- Australia vs Pakistan on October 20 in Bengaluru
- India vs New Zealand on October 22 in Dharamsala
- South Africa vs Bangladesh on October 24 in Mumbai
- Australia vs New Zealand on October 28 in Dharamsala
- Bangladesh vs Pakistan on October 31 in Kolkata
- New Zealand vs Pakistan on November 4 in Bengaluru
- England vs Australia on November 4 in Ahmedabad
- Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka on November 6 in Delhi
- Bangladesh vs Australia on November 11 in Pune.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Tamim opted to stay out of Bangladesh's World Cup squad: Mashrafe
Masrafe Bin Mortaza, former Bangladesh captain and a current MP, contended that Tamim Iqbal's absence from the World Cup squad was a matter of choice rather than Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled the World Cup squad on Tuesday, sans Tamim Iqbal.
Tamim's World Cup exclusion due to injury: Chief Selector
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin attributed Tamim's omission to concerns about his injuries, but Masrafe put forth a different perspective.
"While many assert that Tamim was left out, the truth is that Tamim chose not to be part of the team," Mashrafe stated. "There is a significant distinction between exclusion and a voluntary decision not to join."
Bangladesh suffers ODI series defeat to New Zealand
Masrafe shared his take on his social media account after the team was announced. He was spotted at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, the same day the squad was unveiled. It remains uncertain whether he played a part in any deliberations regarding the team selection.
Tamim's exclusion from the World Cup squad reverberated as a surprising development within Bangladesh's cricketing circles. The esteemed opener has grappled with a longstanding injury.
Mahmudullah 4th Bangladeshi to score 5000 runs in ODIs
He sat out the Asia Cup due to the same reason, dedicating over a month to rehabilitation. He had to leave captaincy for the same as well. Tamim Iqbal made a return during the New Zealand series, batting in just one match before his injury resurfaced, leading to his absence from the final match.
Shakib visits US embassy, plays cricket with Peter Haas
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan paid a visit to the US Embassy in Dhaka and engaged in friendly cricket with US Ambassador Peter Haas.
The US Embassy shared a video on their social media platforms, showing Shakib bowling to Haas, who in turn faced Shakib's deliveries.
The video captured the camaraderie between Shakib and the US Ambassador, along with others briefly participating in the friendly game of cricket.
Bangladesh poised to be a formidable contender in World Cup, Shakib believes
Accompanied by his wife and children, Shakib also posed for a photo with the US ambassador.
Bangladesh ready for Asia Cup with Shakib at the helm
Shakib's wife, Umme Ahmed Shishir, lives in the US with their children, and Shakib frequently travels to the US whenever he finds breaks in his busy cricketing schedule.
Shakib is currently enjoying a break from cricket. He is expected to join the national team soon that will travel to India to take part in the World Cup.
Shakib chosen as ODI Captain of Bangladesh
Taskin ruled out of 3rd ODI, Khaled gets another shot
Despite an impressive debut, right-arm pacer Khaled Ahmed was initially omitted from the Bangladesh ODI squad in favor of senior player Taskin Ahmed, who was rested. However, within 24 hours, Taskin was sidelined due to illness, paving Khaled's return for the third and final ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand on Tuesday.
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Along with Khaled, left-handed batter Afif Hossain has also been recalled to the national team for the third ODI, rejoining after being rested for the first two matches against the same opponent.
The first match of the series was washed out due to heavy rain. However, New Zealand secured a memorable win in the second match, marking their first ODI victory in Bangladesh in 15 years.
Now, the visitors have the opportunity to clinch the series if they emerge victorious in the last match on Tuesday.
Litton rested, Shanto to lead Bangladesh in 3rd ODI vs New Zealand
In the absence of regular captain Shakib Al Hasan and vice-captain Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh in the third ODI against New Zealand. This will mark his first time leading the Bangladesh senior side in an international outing.
BAN vs NZ ODI Series: Tamim and Litton may sit out the final match
Bangladesh squad for third New Zealand ODI: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Afif Hossain.
BPL Players’ Draft 2024: Ashraful and Sabbir overlooked
Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and batsman Sabbir Rahman have been overlooked in the players’ draft for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), scheduled to commence early next year.
While Sabbir participated in last year’s BPL, Ashraful missed the previous edition as well. His last appearance in the BPL dates back to 2019.
Also read: BPL Players’ Draft 2024: Mushfiqur joins Fortune Barishal with Tamim, Mahmudullah
All six franchises have finalized their squads in the players’ draft, and none have expressed interest in Ashraful and Sabbir.
Both players are currently distant from the national team, and their performance in recent years has not merited consideration for a return.
Also read: Next edition of BPL to be held after general election
As Ashraful nears the twilight of his career, Sabbir still has ample cricket ahead of him. Hence, being overlooked in the BPL marks a significant setback for Sabbir, who has represented the Tigers in 125 international matches.
Nasir Hossain barred from domestic cricket amid ICC’s corruption allegations
All-rounder Nasir Hossain has been temporarily prohibited from participating in domestic cricket following allegations of corruption by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Sources within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have confirmed that Nasir must await ICC clearance before resuming his domestic cricket career.
The players' draft for the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is slated for September 24th. However, Nasir's name does not appear on the list of players released by the BCB.
HC accepts appeal challenging suspension order of DSA case against Nasir’s wife Tamima
The right-handed all-rounder participated in a T20 league in the UAE in 2021, where he, along with other players, allegedly engaged in unethical practices, according to the ICC.
Case against cricketer Nasir: Order on charge framing on Feb 9
Nasir Hossain’s last international match dates back to 2018, after which he has been absent from the national squad. He represented the Tigers in a total of 19 Tests, 65 ODIs, and 31 T20Is.
Cricketer Nasir, wife Tamima get bail
Bangladesh Opt to Bowl First in First ODI Against New Zealand
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl first in the opening match of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Dhaka on Thursday (September 21, 2023).
Immediately after the toss, rain interrupted play, leading groundsmen to cover the wickets. But within a few minutes, the sun came out, and the covers were removed.
Read: Litton Wants Tamim and Mahmudullah to Rediscover Joy in Their Game
Regular Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is absent from this series. Litton Das is leading the side in his place.
In this match, Bangladesh included Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad, Soumya Sarkar, and Nurul Hasan, none of whom were part of the Bangladesh team in the Asia Cup held in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Lockie Ferguson is captaining New Zealand in this series.
Read: BAN vs NZ ODI Series 2023: Bangladesh Squad Analysis
This series presents an opportunity for Bangladesh to fine-tune their World Cup squad. It's particularly significant for Mahmudullah and Soumya, who have a chance to showcase their capabilities for the upcoming World Cup.
Bangladesh XI: Litton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah Riyad, Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Nurul Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman.
New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Will Young, Chad Bowes, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson (capt), Trent Boult.
Read more: Sriram Reappointed as Technical Consultant for Bangladesh Team
New Zealand's stand-in captain embraces Bangladesh challenge
Every time a team like New Zealand visits Bangladesh, the local conditions take centre stage in discussions. The New Zealanders, who arrived in Dhaka later last week, anticipate conditions different from what they are accustomed to at home.
However, Lockie Ferguson, the stand-in captain of the Blackcaps, expressed minimal concern about the conditions. Instead, he eagerly anticipated embracing the challenge Bangladesh presents.
On his first visit to Bangladesh, the New Zealand captain had his first media interaction today in Dhaka's Mirpur.
New Zealand cricket team's Sept tour: All ODIs to be held in Dhaka
Ferguson believes that the seasoned players who have previously played in Bangladesh will provide valuable insights into the conditions and other nuances. They also have an advantage with the former Bangladesh coach, Shane Jurgensen, now part of New Zealand's coaching staff.
"We will certainly lean on Jurgensen and a few of our players who were here a couple of years ago in terms of understanding how the pitch plays," Ferguson emphasised. "The conditions are slightly different from what we experienced in England (in their last series). I enjoy playing in the subcontinent."
Has Mahmudullah's international career in cricket come to an end?
Similarly, several members of the New Zealand squad are preparing to step on to the field in Bangladesh for the first time.
The New Zealand captain expressed that Bangladesh's spin attack could play a pivotal role in this series, presenting a significant challenge for those new to the Bangladesh terrain.
"Bangladesh is undoubtedly formidable in their home conditions. Hopefully, the rain holds off, but I'm curious to see how the pitch fares tomorrow and throughout this series," he remarked.
According to him, New Zealand's spinners may need to assume the role of wicket-takers in this series. However, he didn't discount the potential contributions of the pacers.
"I've seen some highlights from here when England visited, and there were still some favourable conditions for pacers. That's when the change-ups become more crucial," he added. "Given the high humidity, the ball tends to swing. We're known for our swing bowling, and I'm confident we'll capitalise on that tomorrow."
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For both Bangladesh and New Zealand, this series presents a final opportunity to fine-tune their squads ahead of the upcoming World Cup later this year. Some players in the New Zealand team are not part of the World Cup squad. Nonetheless, the stand-in captain sees this series as a chance for them to solidify their positions within the setup.
"There's been considerable rotation within international cricket over the past few years, creating more opportunities for them. Undoubtedly, they'll seize this opportunity wholeheartedly this week," added the stand-in captain of the Kiwis.
BAN vs NZ ODI Series 2023: Bangladesh Squad Analysis
Bangladesh could not perform well in the recently ended Asia Cup 2023. Shakib Al Hasan’s team will play at home against New Zealand to regain their confidence before the World Cup 2023. The New Zealand team has already reached Dhaka to play the three-match ODI series. BAN vs NZ series will start on September 21, 2023. All the matches will start at 2 pm Bangladesh time at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Bangladesh Squad for Bangladesh vs New Zealand ODI Series 2023
Litton Das (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Rishad Hossain and Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Analysis of Bangladesh Squad Against New Zealand
Bangladesh has made the strategic decision to give a break to several key players during the initial two ODIs against New Zealand. Bangladesh Cricket Board aims to maintain the top players’ physical fitness for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
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Experienced players Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah have been included in the squad for the initial two ODIs. Their return will surely add valuable depth to the squad, and the selectors can decide if these two should be selected for the World Cup.
Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam are being given rest by the cricket board. This means that when the series starts next Thursday, we will see some new faces on the field. Since Shakib is on rest, Litton Das will be the captain of the Bangladesh cricket team. Some other players, like Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, and Mohammad Naim, were dropped from the squad. Instead, Soumya Sarkar and Nurul Hasan, along with three new and uncapped players, Zakir Hasan, Rishad Hossain, and Khaled Ahmed, have been selected to join the team. So, the upcoming series gives the selectors a chance to see how some other players perform before the World Cup and see if any hidden gem comes out.
It can be said that the team has a mix of both experienced and young players. Among them, only Zakir, Khaled, and Rishad haven’t played in ODIs yet. Zakir almost got a chance to play against Ireland in March, but he got injured. Khaled has shown good performance in List A cricket, and Rishad brings something unique to the bowling strategy.
Read more: Nic Pothas Steps in as Bangladesh's Interim Coach in Chandika's Absence
On August 3, Tamim stepped down from his role as Bangladesh’s ODI captain. He also mentioned that he wouldn’t be playing in the Asia Cup because he needed time to recover from several injuries, and now he is back.
Mahmudullah is making a comeback to the team after his last ODI series against England in March. He was given a break initially during the Ireland series in March-April but was later not selected for the away series against Ireland in Chelmsford in May. Additionally, he was also left out of the ODIs against Afghanistan and didn’t play in the Asia Cup.
However, Soumya Sarkar’s selection is quite unexpected because he has been struggling with his performance for a while now. It was even surprising when he was picked for the Bangladesh A team in the recent Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams tournament. However, even at that level, he managed to score only 95 runs in three innings, which isn’t considered a strong performance.
Read more: BAN vs NZ ODI Series: Tigers seek solutions to persistent issues
Additionally, Bangladesh will be without Ebadot Hossain, who has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a recent knee surgery earlier this month. Furthermore, Najmul Hossain Shanto will also be absent from the New Zealand series due to a hamstring injury he sustained after participating in just two games during the Asia Cup.
Among the new and uncapped players, Zakir, Rishad, and Khaled have all represented Bangladesh in various forms of cricket but have not played in ODIs yet. Zakir, who usually opens the batting, has an average of 29.92 after playing 103 List A matches. Rishad, who is only 21 years old, has participated in just three List A matches and made his T20I debut against Ireland earlier this year. Khaled, who is nearly 31 years old, is a medium-pace bowler with 64 List A wickets in 47 games. He has also played 12 Test matches for Bangladesh.
Read more: New Zealand's stand-in captain embraces Bangladesh challenge
Key Players to Watch in the Bangladesh Squad
Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Tanzim Hasan Sakib is a recent addition to the Bangladesh cricket team. He did great on his ODI debut against India in the last match of the Asia Cup Super Four round. He managed to take two important wickets of Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma and showed his skills before the 2023 World Cup. The speedster was a member of the Bangladesh Under-19 team that won the 2020 World Cup in South Africa. So, he will definitely get all the attention in this series.
Tawhid Hridoy
He has been performing well and scoring consistently ever since he made his T20 debut, and he also did pretty well in the Asia Cup. He scored 158 runs with 82 high scores and 68.69 strikes from five appearances in the Asia Cup. Further, his 54 runs off 81 balls contribution against India gave Bangladesh a good fighting chance. So, it is expected he will keep shining in the New Zealand series, too.
Mahmudullah
Mahmudullah was missed greatly in the Asia Cup 2023 as Bangladeshi top orders failed miserably, and there were no stable players to play in the middle orders. Mahmudullah could have contributed to those situations. So, fans will be looking to his performance in this series and see if he can give his best to be included in the World Cup squad. Overall, Mahmudullah played 218 ODIs for Bangladesh and scored 4950 runs with a highest score of 128 runs.
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Nasum Ahmed
Nasum Ahmed can be a great pick for the middle order. While he did not get much chance to show his talent, he got attention in the last match against India. He scored 44 runs from 45 balls while batting at number 8. His bowling performance was also satisfactory. Although he did not get any wickets in the Asia Cup, his economy rate was 4.05 after bowling 20 overs. So, he will surely try to prove himself in both batting and bowling.
Final Words
This New Zealand series is an ideal opportunity to check the alternative players for the World Cup while giving the regular players rest. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken the opportunity perfectly. Now, we have to wait until the series ends on September 26 to see the outcome. This BAN vs NZ ODI series is considered as preparation for the World Cup 2023. Hence, the Tigers’ performance in this series will give us an idea about their performance in the World Cup.
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