The emerging force that is Bangladesh head to England looking to do some damage at Cricket World Cup 2019. They seemingly improve year-on-year and if they can take that improvement into the tournament, two years on from reaching the semi-final of the Champions Trophy in England, they could very well play the role of the dark horses over the course of the campaign.
Profile
Captain: Masrafe Mortaza
Previous Best: QF 2015
Key Players: Shakib-al-Hasan & Tamim Iqbal
Best Odds: 150/1 Betfair
Fixtures
June 2: vs South Africa at The Oval
June 5: vs New Zealand at The Oval (d/n)
June 8: vs England at Cardiff
June 11: vs Sri Lanka at Bristol
June 17: vs West Indies at Taunton
Just 20: vs Australia at Trent Bridge
June 24: vs Afghanistan at Hampshire Bowl
July 2: vs India at Edgbaston
July 5: vs Pakistan at Lord’s
Squad
Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahaman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed
Team Guide
Bangladesh are one of the more improved sides in the world since the last World Cup where they achieved their best outing in the competition, something they will be looking to build on. With a deep and classy batting line up they certainly carry the firepower to be more than competitive over the course of this tournament. They have shown they can score big runs in England as well which is another positive.
We can’t hide away from the fact that their bowlers are a weak link in the side although in Shakib, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan they have three extremely competent bowlers. One thing that doesn’t get a mention when Bangladesh are discussed is their English coach Steve Rhodes, who was responsible for a young Worcestershire side improving in one day cricket to the point that they ended up T20 champions last season. His knowhow could be vital.
Betting
I’ve already backed Mustafizur Rahman to be the leading bowler in the tournament as a value shout on a man who might well have a good tournament but my enthusiasm for backing him in the respective Bangladesh market was tempered when I heard that he is carrying a bit of a calf issue. Hopefully that doesn’t materialise into something more serious but I’m taking no chances.
Although I’m already on Tamim Iqbal to be the leading batsman in the tournament there is no reason not to back him to be the top Bangladesh batsmen in the event too. For me at least he is Bangladesh’s standout batsman and he is perfectly capable of scoring big at the top of the order. His key rivals may bat a little further down the order for comfort so this could turn into a three horse race between the two openers and Tamim. I’m happy to be on the powerful left-hander in that scenario.
Tips
Back T.Iqbal Top Bangladesh Tournament Batsman for a 3/10 stake at 3.25 with Betway
Back him here:
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