Is Tiger Squad the Right Selection? Saleque Sufi Bangladesh has just announced its final squad for the ICC World Cup 2015 due to start in down under in a little over a months’ time. For the first time Bangladesh cricket team will have opportunities to play at Iconic MCG, Adelaide Oval, Gaba and Manuka Oval. The team in the past could only play at Darwin and Cairn. The team will arrive a bit earlier and will have its base anchored at Brisbane before appearing for the first match against ICC associate Afghanistan. Bangladesh is grouped with hosts Australia and New Zealand .The group also contain England, Srilanka, Afghanistan and Scotland .Four teams from the group will advance to knock out round. This morning with Frahad Tito in Canada and Nazmul Amin Kiron had long chat on social media about the team composition. Kiron and Tito are my favorites and they have greater insights into Bangladesh cricket. I have great respect for their analysis and sentiment. I have my own opinion and in some areas we agreed to disagree. Of all persons the announcement from BCB President came to me as a surprise .Team selection is the job of the selection committee .Chief selector or on his behalf any of the selector should have made the announcement .It is not fitting for BCB President to do this. The Tiger Fifteen: Tamim Iqbal , Anamul Haque , Mominul Haque , Mushfiqur Rahman ( WK) , Shakib Al Hasan ( VC) , Mahamudullah Riad , Shabbir Rahman , Mashrafee Bin Murtaza ( C) , Al Amin Hossain , Rubel Hossain , Taijul Islam , Soumo Sarkar , Nasir Hossain , Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny. The above squad has little surprise. We think at least 13 of the 15 were automatic choices given their quality form and fitness. Two positions are open for debate .Whether Soumo Sarkar was the right choice? Whether Naeem Islam deserved a place? Whether a short left arm spinner Arafat Sunny was the better choice over teenager leg spinner Jubair Hossain? I had long discussion with Tito and Kiron about these. Bangladesh is not a favorite to win the world cup. It will be a huge achievement if it can even advance to second round from a group having two very strong home teams, favorites England and Sri Lanka .Even Afghanistan and Scotland can be more competitive in Australia and New Zealand conditions. The tasks of tigers are well cut out. The team has 8 genuine batsmen including wicket keeper Mushfique, 4 pacers, an all-rounder Shakib and two genuine spinners. Nasir, Shabbir and Mahamudullah are also bits and piece all- rounder. There are no questions about Tamim, Anamul, Mominul, Mushfique, Shakib, Mahamudullah, Mashrafee, Taskin, Rubel and Al Amin walking into the side as automatic choices. Now we can talk about the rest .Shabbir is arguably the best choice late middle order batsman at the moment .He is also an excellent fielder. He richly deserved selection over anyone else for a position even in the playing eleven ahead of his competitors. This brings Naeem Islam and Nasir Hossain in the contest. Until in not too distant future Nasir was developing into a very competent finisher in ODI matches for Bangladesh. Something somehow somewhere went wrong .He was declining. But off late he appears to have regained his focus. We do not think selectors have done it wrong. But the questions can be asked what else Naeem could do to prove his point. He had wonderful domestic form. He could be in the side in place of an additional spinner. I would have preferred Naeem over Arafat Sunny in the team. Then comes the question what made Soumo Sarkar get the nod of the selectors over more experienced Imrul Kayes and Shamsur Rahman. May be his technique, form and fitness won him the place .He had very successful domestic season to back him up. To me he selection appeared all right .What I will strongly argue why teenage leg spinner Juabir Hossain could not be in the squad? What will short statured left arm spinner Arafat Sunny will do in Australia New Zealand condition .True Jubair is not tall also. But writs spinners have much better opportunities in down under. When the team already possesses Shakib and Taijul inclusion of Jubair would have given more depth, diversity and variation in the team. I am aware that even legendary Australian Leg Spinner Shane Warne got impressed with his loop. In Australia Jubair could be the Tigers tramp card. We understand that team can name two reserve players. Jubair can be added in that list along with Shafiul Islam. People talk about experience. The entire team will be playing in the major Australian venue for the first time in their life .Wickets, environment are so different than what tigers are used to. Just that Jubair did not play much at international level cannot be any excuse for not considering him for selection. Bangladesh is not going to win the world cup. Selecting Jubair could be a great investment for the future .He could be extremely useful at Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide. Pace attack will matter most for Bangladesh .Fit again Mashrafee will lead the pack with teenager Taskin and al Amin having greater opportunity for success .Bangladeshi pacers must not be carried away with pace and bounce of the wickets . The length needs to be adjusted on Australia New Zealand wickets. We hope Heath Streak will guide them well .He was a master pace bowler on all wickets. Bangladesh bowlers will have to make early inroads for letting their spinners to hunt through middle orders. Bangladesh should appear with three pacers at Brisbane, Melbourne and Hamilton. While at Adelaide Oval against England and Manuka Oval against Afghanistan three spinners will be ideal. Bangladesh batsman must play more on the back foot and play with straight bat as much as possible. Pacers will pitch a little bit short and many balls will bounce steeply jagging back at pace. Top order must avoid fishing outside the off stump .Two of our technically equipped batsmen Mushfique and Mominul must bat at right order. The others must play around them. Senior players like Tamim, Shakib and Mushfique must play major role and guide the youngsters. The middle order batting of Mahamudullah, Shabbir / Nasir must make regular contributions. Bangladesh has nothing to lose but lot to gain. I find no reason why Bangladesh cannot win against Afghanistan and Scotland and compete well against England and Sri Lanka. I find little opportunities against the hosts Australia and New Zealand at Brisbane and Hamilton. The team must have strong discipline and total commitment .The Team Tiger will carry our beautiful Bangladesh on their shoulders.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 14:59:52 +0000
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