ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2024: BANGLADESH NEED ANSWERS AFTER BEING HANDED REALITY CHECK

The Bangladesh cricket team suffered a new low when they lost the recently concluded T20 series against Associate Nation USA. Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in the Caribbean and USA, Bangladesh's defeat on US soil...

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The Bangladesh cricket team suffered a new low when they lost the recently concluded T20 series against Associate Nation USA. Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in the Caribbean and USA, Bangladesh’s defeat on US soil highlighted the shortcomings. Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan said it’s a wake-up call for his men as they need to take more responsibility as a unit. For skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, he needs both Shakib and fellow experienced campaigner Mahmudullah to provide their impetus with the World Cup in focus. Bangladesh have issues and they need to fix them ahead of their opener against Sri Lanka. The batting order needs fluidity, being starved of momentum. Death bowling is another problem for the Tigers as they seek ideas to curb down their mistakes and in offerings. Bangladesh cannot just walk in and expect miracles. They have been underwhelming and one hopes to see a better performance in the coming month.

Bangladesh are placed in Group D with South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Nepal. If Bangladesh spring up and join the party, they could make it through. However, if the body language remains abysmal, Shanto’s men can even finish below tricky opponents Netherlands. So it’s that sort of a scenario

for Bangladesh. The Asian side has never made it to the knockouts across eight editions. They have either faltered in the group stage or at the Super 8, Super 10 or Super 12 stages.

A LOOK AT BANGLADESH’S 15-MEMBER SQUAD

SQUAD: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

TRAVELLING RESERVES: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud.