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Bangladesh has seen a steady rise in quality over the past five years, transforming into a team that can challenge anyone. Their breakthrough came during the 2015 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals for the first time ever. They pushed their boundaries even further in 2017, managing to fight their way into the ICC Champions Trophy semifinals. On both occasions, the 'Tigers' proved they could compete with the giants of the game, and they'll be looking to recreate that magic in the 2019 World Cup. With several key victories needed to advance, the big question is whether they have what it takes to upset a powerhouse like India.ICC World Cup 2019. There will be a handful number of matches they would want to win during the course of the tournament. So, let’s analyze whether they stand a chance against a team like India.
Match Details: The game takes place at Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 2nd, starting at 3:00 PM IST.Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Date: 2nd July
Time: 3:00 PM IST
The Squad: Led by captain Mashrafe Mortaza, the team includes Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Rubel Hossain, and Mosaddek Hossain.Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Rubel Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain
Team Analysis: The squad is guided by Mashrafe Mortaza, a captain whose passion and leadership are the heartbeat of the team. What makes this side dangerous is its perfect blend of veteran stability and youthful energy. While seasoned players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Mortaza keep the team composed under pressure, newcomers such as Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, and Mosaddek Hossain bring the unpredictability and raw excitement needed to win tight games.Team overview: Bangladesh have an inspirational leader in Mashrafe Mortaza and he leads the team with heart and soul. The biggest strength of this Bangladeshi team is the balance between youth and experience. While experienced campaigners like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad, and skipper Mortaza himself, help the team in staying grounded on one hand, young players like Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain among others, add the much needed X-factor and exuberance to their team.
Their batting strength is comparable to the world's elite. Tamim Iqbal currently stands as one of the premier ODI openers, playing a pivotal role in Bangladesh's ascent in global rankings. The middle order is equally formidable, anchored by the trio of Rahim, Shakib, and Mahmudullah. A testament to their quality were the centuries scored by Shakib and Mahmudullah against New Zealand, which propelled them into the 2017 Champions Trophy semifinals. Mahmudullah's consistency was also evident in 2015, where he hammered consecutive hundreds. When you combine these anchors with the aggressive hitting of Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, and Sabbir Rahman, you get a lineup capable of challenging any bowling attack.
The bowling attack is also quite capable. They boast the raw pace and aggression of Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman, while Abu Jayed, despite his lack of experience, can catch batsmen off guard with surprising speed. Mashrafe Mortaza provides the necessary discipline and control to hold the line. However, the spin department is a weak point. Beyond Mehidy Hasan, they rely on part-timers like Mosaddek Hossain and Mahmudullah—all of whom are off-spinners. This lack of variety in the spin department is a concern, especially on English pitches where a versatile spin attack is often crucial for breaking partnerships.
Key Threats to India: Historically, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim have been the ones to cause the most trouble for India. They remain the primary dangers in this matchup, meaning the 'Blue Brigade' must have a clear, effective strategy to dismiss them early.Major threats to India: It’s only Tamim Iqbal, and Mushfiqur Rahim to some extent, who have troubled India in the past. Those two will remain the threats to India this time as well. So, the Blue Brigade needs to formulate plans for getting rid of them quickly.
Final Verdict: While Bangladesh still holds the memory of eliminating India from the 2007 World Cup, the landscape has changed. Beating a side as cohesive and strong as the current Indian team is a massive task, even in a single game. Consequently, we expect the Men in Blue to come out on top.Predicted outcome: Bangladesh have a good memory of knocking India out of the 2007 World Cup. However, things have not been as easy for them ever since and it will require a lot more to get the better of a strong unit like India even if it is for one match. So, we are predicting a win for the Men in Blue this time around.
Written by: Prasenjit Dey