The newly found confidence of Bangladesh Cricket team fresh from Test Series white wash have now their mission set for another white wash of Zimbabwe in ODI series.
Bangladesh has twice achieved series white wash of much stronger New Zealand in three matches ODI series in the past. That can be inspiration but on the basis of recent form and proven performance of Zimbabwe against stronger oppositions Australia and South Africa in their triangular home series the task will not be so easy for tigers.
ODI matches and tests are two different fish in the kettle. Not necessary a team proving better in tests can take it for granted that it can repeat the same in ODI as well. But in general Bangladesh has higher standing than the visitors in ICC ranking and as such the fans can dream of another series win and may be another series white wash.
If that happens, it will have huge morale booster for the team in their preparation for the ICC World Cup scheduled to be played in Australia New Zealand in February March 2015.
BCB has announced the following ODI team for the first two ODIs to be played at MA Hannan Stadium Chittagong.
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan (VC), Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain,Rubel Hossain, Jubair Hossain and Arafat Sunny.
Looking at the team one may have logical question about omission of Teenage Pace sensation Taskin Ahmed. BCB has not mentioned anywhere that he is injured and not match fit. He is an exciting prospect for b Bangladesh new ball attack in the world cup and if fit there cannot be any reason why he is not playing the first two ODIs.
If BCB announce that Taskin is injured then the question will be asked why he was sent to Kolkata for a non important cricket even considering his high utility? Did BCB check where the matches would be played? What were the conditions of bowlers run up? What the team management was doing? If fit Taskin must play all ODIs leading to World cup for gaining as much match practice as possible. In Australia New Zealand condition he will be our best bet.
Fans may ask also why late order match finisher Nasir is not in the side > True he was passing through a lean patch. But that was true for few others who were given repeated opportunities for getting back into stride. Nasir was one of the few successes in the West Bengal team.His experience could be useful.
One may also ask genuine question why Saqlain Sajeeb has been totally ignored. What else he has to prove to get into Bangladesh side? It is some individual ego of someone in the selection committee or BCB think tank? Or he is not international class? In that case how he was outstanding success against Zimbabwe A team?
Bangladesh has adopted new strategy for a different set of leaders in test and ODI. We have to see how it works? When matters go according to plan no questions are raised. But when it backfires decision makers come under scrutiny. In Bangladesh cricket no one will ever ask any question about quality, commitment and inspiring leadership of Mashrafee.
If he did not have to suffer series of injuries he had all the materials in him for an ideal long term leadership in all three formats of the game. A great soul is an enigma in the team and source of constant inspiration for team mates. We wish all the success for Mashrafee and his wellbeing all the way through the long series. But team management must keep an eye on his work load. Team now looks more settled and several key players are in great touch.
Vice-captain Shakib alone is a three in one player. He is ICC top ranked all-rounder who alone can dictate the fate of any match whether by his explosive batting or penetrative bowling. He is also in superlative for on his return from controversial suspension. It was great to see a player suspended for alleged attitude issues can be given the responsibility of being vice-captain of the side. Has not BCB put their earlier decision to a matter of ridicule? The success of the tigers will no doubt largely depend on all round performance of this ace cricketer though team possess few match winners now.
The batsmen have understood their role. Dashing opener Tamim is no longer throwing away his wicket and is playing with greater application.
His role is also very important for giving the batting a good start. Anamul has to be a bit choosing in playing strokes .The visitors have good new bowl attack. A good batting does not mean trying to blast every delivery.
Trying to rotate strikes also settles nerves and assists in building an innings. I think Kayes will be better to start with Tamim in the first ODI as he looked in good touch in the Chittagong test.
In West Indies Bangladesh played with three and even four opners not letting its best batsmen at the moment Mominul Huq any opportunity . We hope this time team will give opportunity for the wonder boy to settle at number three in ODI as well. I will recommend depending on match situation Shakib, Mushfique and Mahamudullah should be rotated at 4-5 & 6.
If tigers get a good start let Mahamudullah bat at four followed by Shakib and Mushfique .But if early wickets go down Mushfique for his better technique may bat earlier allowing Shakib to play more freely later on. Position seven will be up for the grab. In absence of Nasir all-rounder Sabbir Rahman will be given opportunity. The remaining position will be filled in by Mashrafee, Arafat Sunny, Al Amin and Rubel Hossain .If Bangladesh prefers to play with an additional spinner Jubair will definitely step in.
Bowling side will miss Taskin who looked so impressive against India in hurriedly organized short series. A fit Mashrafee can always be relied to get an early break through with his sharp in swinging deliveries with the new ball and subtle variations of pace. Al Amin looks penetrative as well. Rubel can also chip in with his reverse swing at the later part. But again spin will be our main forte. Shakib, Sunny, Juabir and Shabbir have to bear the brunt of getting wickets and shackle the visitors. Mahmudullah excepting the last day of third test was not used much by Mushfique. Good off spin in slow turning track is as useful as left arm spin or wrist spin. Mahamudullah is good accurate bowler and can contain. Jubair can be tramp card. If selected I am sure Mashrafee will use him intelligently.
Ground fielding, catching, running between the wickets have room to improve. Zimbabwe is a good ODI side. They played exceeding well against strong Australia and top ODI team South Africa in the recent past .Several of their key players are more suited for this format.
Bangladesh has to play out of skin to win the series first and then try for white wash. If that happens well and good but the initial focus must be playing to potential and winning the series as comfortable as possible.
Question of taking the series win as guaranteed does not arise .ODI is a different ball game. There are lesser opportunities of making mistakes and getting away from it in ODI. But still it is not T20 disco cricket. Still a team has to play consistently well – make good start, play steadily in the middle overs and utilize the slog overs for posting challenging total. Then have to bowl and field well to squeeze the opposition. From where tigers are at this moment all these are well within their grasp. We only want Tigers play to their true potential.
The Zimbabwe probables are the following.
Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (c),Brendan Taylor (wk), Regis Chakabva, Sikandar Raza , Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Solomon Mire, Peter Moore, Tawanda Mupariwa.
BDST: 1005 HRS, NOV 19, 2014
