The One-Day International (ODI) 2023 World Cup is just a few months away and avid cricket enthusiasts are already excited for the marquee event to be held in India. Like the previous World Cup edition, this time too, India, Australia, and England are favourites to lift the distinguished trophy. At the World Cup, these big teams will have to be careful of one of the most dangerous sides, Bangladesh, who can stun any team in the mega event.
Tamim Iqbal and his men have already qualified for the 2023 World Cup through the 2020-23 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, and now they will look to gear themselves up to deliver their best in the humongous cricketing competition. In the World Cup, the Bangla side have befuddled quality teams such as Pakistan (1999), India (2007), South Africa (2007 and 2019), and England (2011 and 2015). This time too, they will look to be extraordinary with the potential of their players and deliver moments of joy to their fans.
Here is the predicted Bangladesh squad for the 2023 World Cup
1. Litton Das
Litton Das will be a key player for Bangladesh's campaign in the 2023 World Cup. The right-handed batter has played a lot of cricket for his nation in his eight-year-long career, and now, he will be expected to utilise his experience and help his team be impactful in the massive ODI competition to be held in India.
In his vast ODI career, Das has smashed 2065 runs with five tons and nine half-centuries in 67 matches, at a strike rate of 88.13. Banking on his reliable numbers, his team will want him to showcase his best and deliver fierce starts with his opening pair and skipper Tamim Iqbal.
In any case of Iqbal’s absence at any moment in the tournament, Das can hold the captaincy mantle as well. Back in December 2022, he led Bangladesh to a 2-1 ODI series victory against India at home. The veteran assures his team with both batting and leadership skills.
2. Tamim Iqbal
Tamim Iqbal will have to lead Bangladesh from the front for getting the desired results in the upcoming World Cup. To set an example for other players, he will have to be among the runs. Back in his first World Cup appearance in 2007, he notched up a half-century and helped his team claim a historic victory against India.
Talking about his overall batting numbers for his nation, Iqbal has amassed 8224 runs with 14 centuries and 55 fifties at a strike rate of 78.56. These colossal figures also make him the leading run-getter for Bangladesh in the longest format of white-ball cricket.
In World Cups, the southpaw is the third-leading run-scorer for Bangladesh with 718 runs with four half-centuries in 29 matches at a strike rate of 73.11. In the 2023 World Cup, Iqbal will look forward to delivering moments of joy to Bangladesh supporters with his batting and leadership skills.
3. Najmul Hossain Shanto
Najmul Hossain Shanto might be assigned the task to solidify Bangladesh’s top order with his batting in the 2023 World Cup. Along with his seniors Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das, his duty will be to play fearless cricket and dominate bowlers with his batting talent.
The 24-year-old is active in ODI cricket since September 2018, and in these five years, he has scored 463 runs with three fifties in 22 matches at a strike rate of 68.49. With the World Cup ahead in October-November, Shanto has displayed confidence with his bat in 2023, hitting 253 runs with three fifties in seven matches, at a strike rate of 76.43.
In the three-match ODI series against England in March, Bangladesh didn’t look good and lost the series by 1-2. However, Shanto exuded confidence with his bat in the competition and notched up two half-centuries. In Bangladesh’s 50-run win against the visitors in the final ODI, Shanto chipped in with his 53 runs off 71 deliveries.
4. Mushfiqur Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim is a vital cog in Bangladesh’s squad as his vast cricketing experience could help Bangladesh a lot to dazzle opponents in the mega ODI tournament in India. In his 17-year ODI career, Rahim has bagged a lot of games for his national squad with his amazing batting talent.
The veteran performed tremendously in the last couple of World Cup editions. In the 2015 World Cup in Australia, he powered his team with 298 runs in six matches at a superb strike rate of 105.67. He ended up as the the tournament's second-leading run-getter for Bangladesh. In his side’s majestic 15-run victory over England, Rahim made a contribution of 89 runs to his team.
At the 2019 World Cup, the wicketkeeper batter again looked confident with his bat and this time too, he became the second-highest run-scorer for his team. Scoring 367 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 92.67, he showcased his best side with his bat.
5. Shakib Al Hasan
In this World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan could be seen for the last time in Bangladesh's ODI jersey, and he will look to make this appearance special with his all-round shows. Currently, he is considered the most successful ODI player for Bangladesh as he has served the national team efficiently in all departments of the sport.
With his bat, he is the second-most successful run-scorer for Bangladesh with 7106 runs including nine tons and 53 half-centuries in 231 matches at a magnificent strike rate of 82.62. While talking about his bowling display, the legend has picked up 301 scalps at an economy of 4.45 and is topping the chart of leading wicket-takers for Bangladesh.
This year, Shakib has played seven ODIs, in which he has racked up 271 runs and seven wickets. Noting these figures, Bangladesh supporters will want him to turn up against opponents in the marquee ODI event coming ahead with both bat and ball.
6. Mahmudullah
Along with Tamim, Mushfiqur, and Shakib, Mahmadullah will be the other veteran whose role will be crucial for Bangladesh’s journey in the 2023 World Cup. Since 2007, Mahmudullah is serving Bangladesh with his remarkable all-round talent. With 4950 runs and 82 wickets in 218 ODIs, he is one of the most efficient Bangladesh stalwarts to rely on big occasions
Bangladesh performed a turnaround in the 2015 World Cup by thumping England by 15 runs and made it to the knockouts. In the famous win, Mahmudullah slammed an outstanding century that helped his team to hold a commanding position in the game.
Later, Bangladesh’s journey in the 2015 World Cup ended with their 109-run defeat at the hands of India in the quarter-final, but Mahmudullah concluded the tournament as the highest run-scorer for his team, scoring 365 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 81.83. The Bangla side will require Mahmudullah’s services to put up an extraordinary show in the upcoming World Cup edition.
7. Afif Hossain
Afif Hossain’s stature has raised in the Bangladesh squad as he has looked decent with his bat in ODIs recently. Back in 2020, he broke into Bangladesh’s One-Day squad in a three-match series against Zimbabwe. Since then, he has scored 542 runs in 22 innings of 25 ODIs at a strike rate of 88.13.
Before the World Cup, the Bangladesh team management will want Hossain to strengthen his batting and become an ideal finisher for his team. In February 2022, the left-handed batter notched up his best knock in ODIs (unbeaten 93 off 115) against Afghanistan in Chattogram.
In the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, Hossain took his team to a four-wicket victory in the first One-Day with his impressive innings. The match is also famous among cricket fans for Hossain’s unbeaten 174-run partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz. His performances in ODIs indicate that the Bangla player could become a potential match-finisher for his team in the future.
8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Mehidy Hasan Miraz has become an integral part of the Bangladesh cricket team due to his stunning all-round talent. The 25-year-old is a part of Bangladesh’s ODI team since 2017. Thus far, the 25-year-old has scored 802 runs in 46 innings of 73 ODIs at a strike rate of 77.78.
In the previous World Cup edition, Miraz amassed 37 runs and six wickets as an all-rounder. The swashbuckling Bangladesh stalwart has showcased his skills several times by delivering match-winning performances to his national side.
In December 2022, the 25-year-old powered Bangladesh to an amazing ODI series triumph against India. Playing the three-match ODI series held at home, the youngster looked ferocious with his bat and delivered a couple of match-winning knocks to help his team seal the series.
9. Taskin Ahmed
Bangladesh will heavily count on Taskin Ahmed for disciplined bowling shows in the 2023 World Cup. The speedster has proven himself a lot of times with his stunning bowling displays. In the marquee event, he could be seen leading Bangladesh’s bowling attack with his experience and skills.
In his nine-year ODI career, the pacer has picked up 78 wickets in 57 matches at an economy of 5.49. Playing his maiden ODI game against India in 2014, Taskin attracted a lot of eyeballs with his jaw-dropping bowling performance. During India’s tour of Bangladesh for a three-match ODI competition in 2014, Taskin picked up a fifer in the second ODI against the Men in Blue and dazzled his team’s fans.
Although his team couldn’t pull off the game, Taskin became a household name in Bangladesh due to his exceptional bowling display. In 2022, the speedster again showcased his mettle in his team's famous ODI series win against South Africa in South Africa. This time, he clinched eight wickets in three matches at an economy of 4.86 and emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
10. Shoriful Islam
Shoriful Islam grabbed a lot of eyeballs during the U-19 World Cup 2020. The lanky bowler emerged as a star performer for the Bangladesh U-19 squad with his sensational bowling numbers. Claiming nine wickets at an economy of 3.64, he helped his team to lift the prestigious trophy for the first time.
Witnessing his potential, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selectors gave him a chance to represent the senior Bangladesh team next year. In May 2021, Sri Lanka toured Bangladesh for a three-match ODI competition and the youngster got inducted into Bangladesh’s playing XI for the second ODI.
Thus far, the 21-year-old has grabbed 20 scalps in 16 appearances at an economy of 5.57. Since his debut, Shoriful has consistently received support from the team management despite facing ups and downs. In this World Cup, the talented pacer might get a chance to reinforce his team with his medium-fast bowling.
11. Mustafizur Rahman
Mustafizur Rahman is considered the most disciplined bowler in the current Bangladesh side. The talented fast bowler knows the art of medium-pace bowling. Ardent cricket supporters are well accustomed to Mustafizur’s tactic to hunt batters with his slower ones.
In his team’s emphatic ODI series triumphs over India and South Africa in 2015, Mustafizur was too hot to handle with his left-arm seam bowling. With his quick-arm action and slower deliveries, he posed tough questions to batters. In reply, both India and Protea batters struggled against him and got outfoxed in front of his mystery pace bowling.
Currently, the Bangla pacer is the fourth-leading wicket-taker for his team in ODIs, fetching 142 wickets in 86 games at an economy of 5.09. The Bangladesh stalwart was the highest wicket-taker for his team in the 2019 World Cup with 20 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 6.70. In the upcoming mega ODI event, his team will expect him to be impactful again.
12. Ebadot Hossain
Ebadot Hossain hasn’t played a lot of ODIs in the international circle but his team will want him to do huge in the World Cup coming ahead. The pacer kicked off his ODI career in 2022 and in the same year, he looked scintillating against India in the three-match ODI competition at home.
Riding on his heroics with the ball, Bangladesh succeeded in clinching the second ODI series against the Men in Blue. With nine wickets in three matches at an economy of 6.29, he became the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament, along with his colleague Shakib Al Hasan.
The 29-year-old’s role will be to bolster Bangladesh’s pace attack with experienced Taskin and Mustafizur in the 2023 World Cup. Talking about his overall ODI numbers with the ball, the Bangla stalwart has taken 19 wickets in 10 contests at an economy of 5.24, with his best figures of 4/42.
13. Hasan Mahmud
Hasan Mahmud hasn’t played a great many matches for Bangladesh in ODIs after making his debut in the format in 2021. However, his team has shown faith in him recently and given him opportunities to showcase his potential. This year, Mahmud has played four ODIs for Bangladesh and taken eight wickets at an economy of 3.81.
With these numbers, he is knocking on the doors of the national squad for the 2023 World Cup. Ahead of the colossal ODI event, Mahmud will have to exude confidence with the ball against quality teams. In 10 ODI appearances, he has grabbed 16 wickets in nine innings at an economy of 5.24.
However, most of his wickets have come against developing cricketing nations such as Ireland and Zimbabwe. Against the quality sides, he is yet to prove himself but looking at his current form, it’s highly likely that the 23-year-old will find a spot in Bangladesh’s 15-member squad for the upcoming World Cup.
14. Taijul Islam
Taijul Islam has played a lot of cricket for Bangladesh and noting this fact, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selectors might show faith in him to fortify their bowling unit in the 2023 World Cup. Representing Bangladesh in 17 ODIs, the veteran has bagged 28 wickets at an economy of 4.41.
Along with his colleagues Mustafizur and Taskin, he could add more strength to his side’s bowling attack with his immense international experience. This year, he got to play five matches for his team, in which he succeeded in dismissing eight batters at an economy of 5.84.
In the three-match ODI competition against England, he looked positive and took six wickets in three contests at an economy of 5.46. As the 2023 World Cup will be played in India, where pitches will be almost similar to Bangladesh, it won’t be difficult for Taijul to acclimatise to the conditions.
15. Yasir Ali
Yasir Ali has represented Bangladesh in only nine ODIs since his One-Day debut in 2022, but the youngster could find a place in a 15-member squad. Thus far, he has accumulated 102 runs in seven innings of nine games at a strike rate of 89.47, with a fifty against South Africa.
Recently, he hasn’t done anything special for his national squad in ODIs but going through his fine numbers in List A cricket, the BCB might pick him up for the 2023 World Cup. During Bangladesh’s tour of South Africa in 2022, Yasir hit headlines for his 50-run knock against South Africa in his team’s spectacular 38-run triumph against the Proteas in the first ODI.
However, after that knock, he has failed to produce any impactful knocks from his bat in ODIs but noting his capability and his numbers in the domestic circuit, the team management might believe in Yasir for the humongous ODI tournament to be held in India, this year.
CricTracker Desk
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