Probable Bangladesh XI for 2015 World Cup

Bangladesh will head into the upcoming Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand without yet having settled on what their best XI is. A torrid 2014 led to a change in coaching personnel, captain, and axing of several players. In their most recent series against Zimbabwe, the team management experimented with different combinations but they are yet to strike the right balance. The team is struggling to find a permanent No.3, and barring a few guaranteed starters, most players must compete for a place in the team. Coach Chandika Hathurusingha, captain Mashrafe Mortaza and the selectors will have a lot of thinking to do before their first match against Afghanistan on 18 February.Here is a look at Bangladesh’s possible playing XI:

#1 Tamim Iqbal

Tamim Iqbal is one of the few Bangladeshi players who can swing a game in his team’s favour through individual brilliance. Heading into his third World Cup, Tamim will be expected to get Bangladesh off to flying starts. Once rated as highly as Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim’s career has failed to take off due to a combination of injuries and inconsistency. Despite his lacklustre form in recent years, his position in the team is undisputed and unchallenged, and whenever he puts up a good performance, Bangladesh will always be in there with a shout.

#2 Anamul Haque

One of the brightest Bangladeshi talents to come through the ranks in recent years, Anamul Haque will be expected to play a sheet anchor role for Bangladesh. Although a shaky starter and suspect against the new ball, Anamul is known to have the temperament to convert good starts into big scores. Despite having a questionable strike rate, he provides the team a platform by holding on to one end and allowing others to play their natural game. If he stays till the end, the team will always put up a big score on the board or be in the position to chase down any total. The 22-year-old will also bank on his 2012 Under-19 World Cup experience in Australia where he was the tournament’s highest run-getter.

#3 Mominul Haque

Yet another prodigal talent, Mominul Haque is one of Bangladesh’s best batsmen in the longer format averaging 63. But he is yet to prove his mettle in ODIs, which is why the No.3 slot is still up for grabs. However, given his class, maturity and sound technique, it is only a matter of time before he starts delivering. The World Cup provides him the perfect platform to announce himself to the world. Mominul, like many other Bangladeshi players, can also bowl tidy part time spin, making him a useful all-round option for the side.

Allrounder Soumya Sarkar is an alternative to Mominul, and could come into contention if the Tigers are looking for an additional seam option.

#4 Mahmudullah

Mahmudullah has earned himself the No.4 spot with some consistent performances for Bangladesh over the last few months. Heading into his second World Cup, Mahmudullah is a reliable batsman who can adapt to any situation and occupy the crease. He is also the only credible off-spinner in the squad, and thus, will be expected to contribute with wickets from time to time.

From his 110 ODIs till date, the 28-year-old has scored 2123 runs at an average of 32.16 and also picked up 67 wickets.

#5 Shakib Al Hasan

The performance of Shakib Al Hasan with both bat and ball will be key to any success Bangladesh aims for. Ranked the best all-rounder in Tests, ODIs and T20s, Shakib will be familiar with the Australian conditions following his recent stint with Big Bash League (BBL) outfit Melbourne Renegades. Considered the team’s main strike bowler, Shakib will enjoy the extra bounce on offer.

Although his form with the bat has been scratchy of late, if he applies himself and bats responsibly, he can cause serious damage to any attack in the world. Captain Mashrafe Mortaza will also count on Shakib’s astute cricketing brain when it comes to the team’s tactics.

#6 Mushfiqur Rahim

When the team's best and most consistent batsman comes four down, questions are bound to be raised. But it seems to be a deliberate move by the team management to strengthen the middle-order and prevent batting collapses which have been haunting Bangladesh for the past couple of years. When under pressure, Bangladesh has developed a habit of losing wickets in clusters, and it's not uncommon to see the team capitulate and lose 6-7 wickets for 30-40 runs. This is where the gutsy and organized Mushfiqur comes in - often playing a rescue role, steadying the ship, or accelerating. The pressure of captaincy will not be there, either, which should help bothhis batting and wicketkeeping.

#7 Nasir Hossain

Considered the finisher of the team, Nasir Hossain has bailed the Tigers out on many occasions with his calm, composed batting in the face of intense pressure. He has even helped the team close out games from evenly matched situations. But poor form in 2014 saw him dropped from the team. The selectors have only reconsidered him following a productive domestic season.

The 23-year-old is also the team’s best fielder. He further adds to the team by being a two-in-one style bowler who can bowl seam up or off break depending on circumstances.

Nasir’s spot in the team is not guaranteed, though. He will face competition from Sabbir Rahman, yet another utility player. Sabbir is in no way inferior to Nasir in the field and can also bowl occassional leg spin. Bangladesh can also rely on him to take the long-handle approach in the death overs.

#8 Mashrafe Mortaza

This could have been Mashrafe Mortaza’s fourth World Cup, but Bangladesh’s captain missed out on two occasions due to recurrent injuries. The team’s main pace bowler, Mashrafe will be expected to give Bangladesh a good start with the new ball.

Known more for accuracy and swing these days, Mashrafe will need to assume the responsibility of bowling the maximum overs during the fielding restrictions, considering his experience of playing 144 ODIs and picking 183 wickets for Bangladesh.

Mashrafe’s captaincy has also been praised for his ability to rally and motivate the team, and adopt more aggressive tactics than his predecessors.

#9 Arafat Sunny

Arafat Sunny might be the preferred spinner over Taijul Islam owing to the former’s experience. Although relatively new to ODIs, Sunny has been around in Bangladesh’s domestic circuit for the past decade carving a niche for himself as a spinner for the shorter formats.

Taijul Islam, who picked up a hat-trick on debut recently, could also be given the nod. The youngster is slightly different from other fellow left-armers in the sense that he relies more on flight and loop as opposed to just darting the ball in like Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak.

#10 Al-Amin Hossain

Arguably the most consistent pacer for Bangladesh in the past year, Al-Amin Hossain will partner captain Mashrafe Mortaza with the new ball. The tall, lanky pacer will enjoy the Australian conditions and could trouble the opposition with his bounce and ability to jag the ball back. But there are concerns that the youngster has lost confidence after being reported, before being cleared, for a suspect action recently. This was apparent in his timid performances against Zimbabwe in the recent ODI series.

#11 Taskin Ahmed

Taskin Ahmed adds the X-factor to Bangladesh’s bowling attack. The 19-year-old tearaway pacer, who can comfortably bowl around 145 kmph, burst into the scene with a five-for against India on debut. Injuries have prevented the youngster from building on his good start. Tigers fans will be hoping the youngster can remain fit enough to make an impact at the World Cup.

Rubel Hossain will be the alternative to Taskin in case of injury or loss of form. However, there are valid concerns whether Rubel will be in the right frame of mind to take part in the World Cup after his recent off-field shenanigans.