As the World Cup year is here, avid cricket buffs are all excited for spectacular One-Day International (ODI) action. Teams participating in the marquee event are also gearing themselves up to give their best to lift their trophy before the end of this year. Talking about sides that are favourites to clinch the title are India, Australia, and defending champions England.
It’s witnessed that Bangladesh have played quality cricket in the mega ODI event. In 2015 and 2019, they stunned England and South Africa respectively, and spoiled both sides' campaigns. This time too, they will look to upset big teams utlising their previous experiences and potential. On subcontinent conditions, they are one of the most dangerous sides in the 50-over format of the game. As the 2023 ODI World Cup will be held in India, Bangladesh won’t be taken lightly by other teams.
Here is Bangladesh’s predicted XI for World Cup 2023
1. Litton Das
Litton Das’s responsibility will be to provide ferocious starts to his team with his aggressive batting style. In the last World Cup, he got five matches and served the team efficiently as a middle-order batter, scoring 184 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 110.17.
This time, it’s highly likely that the 28-year-old will be assigned the role of an opener. The talented right-handed batter is active in ODIs since 2015 and during this period, he has played a majority of matches as an opener. Along with the role of the opener, he will also be the deputy of captain Tamim Iqbal in the World Cup edition.
Talking about Das’ overall batting numbers, he has made 69 ODI appearances, in which he has amassed 2121 runs at a strike rate of 88.26. Conditions in Bangladesh and the host nation are similar so Das won’t find it difficult to acclimatise to the surroundings.
2. Tamim Iqbal
Tamim Iqbal will hold Bangladesh’s captaincy mantle in the big event and his role will be to get the best out of his players with his leadership skills. Since 2020, the veteran is serving the team as an ODI skipper, and under him, Bangladesh have achieved a lot of success. In 2022, the Bangla side clinched an incredible ODI series victory over South Africa in South Africa.
In the grand ODI event, Tamim will be expected to lead from the front. Utilizing his experience and talent, he could give a lot of cheerful moments to Bangladesh cricket supporters in the upcoming tournament. The dashing opening batter is active in international cricket since 2007.
Relying on his vast experience and impressive batting numbers, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) trusted him to lead the ODI team. Currently, he is the leading run-scorer for the nation with 8300 runs with 14 tons and 56 fifties in 240 matches at a strike rate of 78.58.
3. Najmul Hossain Shanto
Najmul Hossain Shanto will reinforce Bangladesh’s top order with his batting. This year, he has performed excellently and it’s a great sign for Bangladesh ahead of the World Cup. Scoring 405 runs in nine ODIs played so far this year, the youngster has exuded confidence with his bat.
In March 2023, Bangladesh hosted England for a three-match ODI series and his team struggled to deal with the potent English side and ended up losing the competition by a 1-2 margin. However, Shanto played a couple of decent knocks with his bat and scored a couple of half-centuries.
In the third ODI in Chattogram, his team thumped the visitors by 50 runs and Shanto powered his team with a spectacular fifty. Noting his batting performance this year, Bangladesh supporters will want him to maintain his form and light up the tournament in October-November with his scintillating batting shows.
4. Mushfiqur Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim has won a lot of games in his decorated cricketing career. In September 2022, the wicketkeeper-batter announced his retirement from T20 Internationals (T20Is) to focus on ODIs and Tests. This year, he might be seen in Bangladesh’s colored jersey for the last time in the 2023 World Cup.
The Bangladesh stalwart kicked off his ODI career in 2006, and currently, he is the second-most successful batter for his team with 7187 runs with nine centuries and 44 fifties in 248 ODIs at a strike rate of 79.69. In ODI World Cups, the veteran is the second-leading run-scorer for his team, with 877 runs in 29 matches at a strike rate of 79.71.
In Bangladesh’s sensational World Cup success against quality teams such as India, England, and South Africa, Rahim was the only batter to contribute consistently with his bat. As a senior player, he will carry the responsibility to fortify his team’s middle order with his superb batting potential.
5. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan will be a vital cog for the Bangla side in this year’s World Cup campaign due to his all-round services. The 36-year-old has played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s development in the ODI format. Since his ODI debut in 2006, he has played five ODI World Cups for Bangladesh.
Currently, he is the most-successful Bangladesh player in World Cups, not just with his bat but also with the ball. Representing his team in 29 ODIs during the World Cup stage, Shakib has piled up 1146 runs with a couple of tons and 10 fifties. While in the bowling department, the veteran has picked up 34 wickets at an economy of 5.11.
In the last World Cup edition, he was the most effective batter for Bangladesh, accumulating 606 runs with two centuries and five fifties in eight ODIs at a strike rate of 96.03. Along with his bat, Shakib put up a decent show with the ball as well, scalping eight heads at an economy of 5.39.
6. Mahmudullah
Mahmudullah is one of the most experienced in the current Bangladesh team. Noting his stature, his team will want him to create an impact in the upcoming World Cup with his all-round skills. Currently, he is the fourth-leading run-getter for Bangladesh in the One-Day format.
The 37-year-old has scored 4950 runs in 218 matches at a strike rate of 76.17. In the World Cup coming ahead, he will play a vital part with his bat. Till now, he has featured in three World Cups, in which he has played 17 contests and scored 616 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 81.58.
In the 2015 World Cup, Mahmudullah displayed his best side and helped Bangladesh to conclude their campaign in the quarter-final round. The veteran powered his side with 365 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 81.83. In his team’s famous 15-run victory at the Adelaide Oval in the competition, Bangladesh relished his impressive ton.
7. Afif Hossain
Afif Hossain will be expected to play the role of an ideal finisher for Bangladesh in the upcoming World Cup. The youngster has appeared in 25 ODIs for Bangladesh and has scored 542 runs with three fifties at a strike rate of 88.13. Although his performance hasn’t been up to the mark against quality teams, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will not lose faith in him.
Prior to the World Cup this year, he will get a chance to face quality sides in the Asia Cup. In the continental tournament, he will look to prove himself with his bat against big teams such as India and Pakistan. In his brief career, there have been a few instances when Afif has showcased his batting talent.
In February 2022, Afif played his career-best knock of unbeaten 93 off 115 against Afghanistan in the first ODI played between two teams at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury (ZAC) Stadium. Riding on his fabulous innings, his team won the contest by four wickets. Before the 2023 World Cup, he will strive to strengthen his batting skills to become a valuable asset for his team in the big tournament.
8. Mehidy Hasan
In the last few years, Mehidy Hasan has shown that he could become a match-winner for Bangladesh in the future. His all-round talent makes him relevant on his side. In his six-year career, the skilled Bangla stalwart has bagged a few matches for his team with his batting capability.
Bangladesh pulled off an amazing three-match ODI series victory against India at home. The notable success by a 2-1 margin was possible for the hosts due to Mehidy Hasan’s breathtaking batting displays in the initial two matches of the series. Earlier, in the same year, Hasan also exhibited his strength with his bat against Afghanistan in a three-match ODI competition.
Since his ODI debut in 2017, Mehidy has appeared in 74 ODIs for his nation, in which he has hit 858 runs with a century and two fifties at a strike rate of 78.71. Besides batting, he is capable of contributing to his team with the ball as well. The 25-year-old has also added 85 ODI wickets to his profile at an economy of 4.70.
9. Taskin Ahmed
Banking on Taskin’s huge experience, the Bangladesh team management will assign him the responsibility to spearhead the team’s pace attack in the World Cup coming ahead. The right-arm bowler has 78 wickets to his name in 57 ODIs at an economy of 5.49. His last World Cup appearance was in the 2015 World Cup, where he took nine wickets in six matches at an economy of 6.37.
In 2019, the pacer faced a snub but with his indomitable spirit, he not only made a comeback but also became an integral part of his national team. In March 2022, Bangladesh created history by beating formidable South Africa in South Africa in a three-match ODI competition by a 2-1 margin.
In his team’s remarkable campaign against the Proteas, Taskin ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the competition, taking eight wickets in three matches at an economy of 4.86.
10. Mustafizur Rahman
Along with Taskin, Mustafizur Rahman will also play a huge role in Bangladesh’s fast-bowling attack. His job will be to bolster the team with his disciplined bowling in the ODI tournament to be held in India this year. In 2015, he broke into ODI cricket during India’s tour of Bangladesh 2015.
Playing his debut series, he put up an extraordinary bowling show. Grabbing 13 matches in three contests at an economy of 5.11, he sealed his spot in the team. Almost after eight years, nothing much has changed, in fact, Mustafizur’s bowling skills have only sharpened with experience.
The 27-year-old is currently the fourth-leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh with 146 wickets in 86 matches at an economy of 5.08, with his best bowling figures of 6/43 against India. In the upcoming months, his assignment will be to provide solid bowling numbers to his team in the upcoming grand ODI event.
11. Ebadot Hossain
Ebadot Hossain has played only 20 ODIs for Bangladesh but the medium-pacer might not just get inducted in Bangladesh’s 15-member World Cup squad but could also feature in the playing XI in the competition. In 10 ODI appearances so far, Hossain has looked amazing with the ball, clinching 21 wickets at an economy of 5.49, with his best bowling innings of 4/42 against Ireland.
Bangladesh claimed a fabulous ODI series win over the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side in December 2022. This outstanding success marked Bangladesh’s second ODI series triumph against the Men in Blue. However, this couldn’t have been possible without Ebadot’s crucial bowling contribution.
In Bangladesh’s marvellous achievement, the 29-year-old looked stunning with the ball and picked up nine wickets in three matches at an economy of 6.29. Playing his maiden ODI game against India, Hossain wreaked havoc on the visitors with his tight bowling and dismissed four batters in his spell of 8.2 overs.
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