Tigers’ ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 mission begins from today with taking on Afghanistan, and it is very much expected that Bangladesh will have a winning start at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dhrmashala.
Whatever happened before the Bangladesh team’s departure for India on September 27, players proved nothing could make any negative impact on their game as they demonstrated impressive performances in the two warm up matches against Sri Lanka and England.
However, it’s very much predictable that Bangladesh will have impressive results, as they have every ability to go far.
Bangladesh, who have been performing at the World Cup stage in the last six editions in a row, are not at all a beginner at this top most level, they are mature enough playing in the biggest platform of world cricket.
Tigers, who made their debut in the World Cup in 1999, defeating Pakistan tipped off in their maiden appearance that once they came out as a threat to the giants.
In their last 24 years journey of performing in the World Cup stage, 1999 to 2023, by this time Tigers defeated every world champion more than three times each in different competitions.
So, it would not be too much to expect that Tigers could play in the last six and also possible to play even in the semifinal, as they are now a full-blown unit to do so.
It’s not an expectation beyond their capacity to make it success, as the Tigers proved it on different occasions, no team is beyond their reach to beat.
All the powerhouses in world cricket tasted defeats to Bangladesh, they even won ODI series against every big team, none of them left unconquered by Tigers.
Yes, it will be tough but not impossible to beat any team at any competition.
As it is the World Cup, the biggest stage of world cricket, it might be a different ball game, as it is a big temperament game, but Tigers also are a proven side, they have earned the moral courage to fight at any situation at any level.
No matter, Tigers left the country for India for their more than a month long World Cup journey when they did not put across opinions about their target for the tournament.
But certainly they set a goal to reach, and that must be at least to make room in the knockout phase.
For Tigers it be will a long way to go to make their dream (if they set so) come true and they have the ability to do the job.
Tigers came into the World Cup stage with so many positives that would be a huge boost for them to go forward.
In the Super League, the qualifying round of the World Cup Bangladesh did stunning performance when they finished third on points table leaving behind some of the giants and stormed into the final phase of the World Cup.
Some of the individual performances are also big inspirations that determine the Tigers dream of having something bigger.
First of all, all eyes will be on Shakib Al Hassan when the Tigers’ captain will start the World Cup as the number one all-rounder of ICC ODI ranking.
Shakib, since 2022 scored 784 runs in 24 innings and also picked up 31 wickets,
Mehidy Hassan Miraz the highest wicket taker in Bangladesh with picking up 36 wickets in 30 matches when the spinner also has two centuries, one as opener and one as batting at number eight.
Another big inspiration for Bangladesh is that they defeated the hosts India in last over finish in the Asia Cup following overpowering Afghanistan.
Bangladesh spinners will play the World Cup being on top with the best bowling average sides. Since 2021, they have the best bowling average for a spin unit with 28.1 with taking 150 wickets from 36 innings followed by Sri Lanka 29.1, Afghanistan 29.3, Australia 29.8 and India 30.00.
Another glaring issue for the Bangladesh pacers, is they have a fierce fast bowling squad.
In 2022 Bangladesh pacers out-performed others in first ten overs taking 46 wickets in 34 innings on an average of 22.46.
So, Bangladesh have every ability to take charge in going far in the World Cup, and might appear as the giant killers to stun all in this edition of the tournament.