Social media and a section of Bangladesh media are now deliberating on a possibility of tri nation ODI series in Zimbabwe involving Pakistan and West Indies. Social media and press are sensing some conspiracies of backdoor entry of both Pakistan and West Indies in the 2017 ICC Champions trophy at the expense of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh must not bother much about what others are plotting. They must mind their own business and plan strategy for maintaining its own winning streak.
We are aware that playing aggressively positive cricket over the last few months Bangladesh has achieved the distinction of playing in the 2017 ICC Champions trophy in England. The host England and 7 other top teams of ICC ODI ranking by September 2015 will qualify to play in the trophy.
Bangladesh is now in 7th position above West Indies and Pakistan. Before September 2015, West Indies has no games as per ICC released program. Pakistan is now touring Sri Lanka. They will play 5 ODIs during this tour. South Africa will play three ODIs against Bangladesh in the ensuing tour. Other than this, there was a talk of Pakistan touring Zimbabwe.
To qualify for playing Pakistan has to win the series against Sri Lanka by at least 4-1 margin and then win the still not confirmed tri series in Zimbabwe. Why West Indies should sacrifice their chance to let Pakistan qualify even if the series takes place. Moreover, in the present situation it is highly unlikely that Sri Lanka can be defeated by that margin even if Pakistan manages to win the series.
By creating a storm in media rather, some distraction is being made to Bangladesh preparation for the upcoming important series against South Africa. The series will be a bit more different and difficult than the two immediate past series against Pakistan and India. But there is no reason to believe that Bangladesh cannot win one or more ODIs to further consolidate their position in the ranking.
South Africa despite of being the top ranked test and marginally fourth ranked ODI team has known weakness against quality spin bowling on the turning tracks. They possess a battery of top quality fast bowlers. Though Dayle Steyn and Vernon Philander will not be playing the ODIs still they have a formidable pace attack comprising of Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell and Ryan McLaren. Compared to pace attack the spin department will be a bit friendly for Bangladesh. Imran Tahir, JP Duminy may not cause much of a concern if Bangladesh prepares spin friendly turn tracks for the series. Shakib, Jubair and Nasir can cause huge problem for South Africans though they have at least three of the top batsmen in Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy. These three can adjust to any wicket and against any bowling attack. 
Even on slow wickets wonder boy Mustafiz will possibly play his tricks and create few issues for the protean. Bangladesh must keep its focus very positive and must not get distracted from what are being discussed in the media. Moreover, playing in the champions’ trophy is not the end of life.
Batting of Bangladesh from many aspects is like glittering gold now. Tamim and Soumya will have little issues in handling the protean pace attack on low slow Bangladesh wickets. We know what damage Tamim in mood can do. We are also very much impressed with young Soumya Sarkar. He is a class act. For his elegance, the natural stroke maker is already being compared with David Gower, one of the finest left-handed batsmen world cricket witnessed in not too distant past. In short stint, he has already joined the elite club of AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle as the higher percentage boundary strikers.
We were impressed from his very first strike of an over boundary he scored against Afghanistan at Manuka Oval, Canberra. What a wonderfully gifted batsman. Tamim and Soumya in full flow is now a pleasant sight in world cricket. We hope Mahamudullah will be fit again for playing at number three. His stabilizing impact on Bangladesh batting was missing against India. He was in prolific form in the world cup and hope he will be back with his confident best soon.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib hold the key in the middle order for their experience and proven talent. We were highly impresses with explosive Shabbir Rahman, another world-class batsman in the making. Who can take away the all-round brilliance of Nasir Hossain? Aggressive batting, more than useful bowling and smart fielding makes him a very useful and reliable all-rounder. But the question will be where to fit Liton Das in the ODI team? He appeared to us a very organized batsman and skilled wicket keeper. We hope Mushfiqur will be fully fit for keeping wickets in ODI and Liton will have to wait for his turn.
We hope Taskin will be fit again by the time the ODI series starts. But against South Africa, Bangladesh should rather play with three pacers and including Shakib two spinners. In pace department in ODI Mustafiz has proved himself as automatic choice alongside the virtually unstoppable Mashrafe. If Taskin is not fully fit, other options including Rubel, Al Amin, Shafiul and Abul Hasan may come under consideration. We would recommend playing Jubair in both ODI and test. He brings varieties in the attack. If he is in the side Bangladesh will have off spin of Nasir and Mahamudullah, left arm spin of Shakib and Leg spin of Jubair. Then go for spinning wickets against South Africa. Even Mustafiz will reap his harvest from it.
We hope all admirers of Bangladesh cricket will realize that there is no point in creating debate about matters over which we have little or no control. Bangladesh is more than capable now in answering all conspiracies against them with bat and ball in the 22 yards playing surface. We are very much confident that Mashrafe, Mushfiqur led Bangladesh team will continue playing to potential and will get bigger and brighter as they go along.
BDST: 1009 HRS, JUN 27, 2015
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