2017 ICC Champions Trophy : Team Preview – Bangladesh
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:52 PM
Overview:
It’s more than a dream come true for Bangladesh cricket that they have been able to qualify for the Champions Trophy as last time ‘Tigers’ participated in the tournament was in the year 2006. They have seen many ups and downs till now and at present, they are a team who is still coming out of adolescence, as like a young boy, they often get carried away at crucial stages which have resulted in shame at the end.
An example of this was seen in this T20 World cup game against India, where skipper Mushfiqur Rahim’s premature celebrations were enough to cost them the game.
Another example is Sabbir Rahman making a bold comment that they can chase a total of 500 and what happened next was an eye opener.
Later at home against England, Bangladesh couldn’t even touch a total of 300, and also lost the series by a margin of 2-1. Before the series, none of the team who visited the country after 2015 World Cup had been able to beat Bangladesh but England took a revenge for defeat in 2015 WC, which knocked them out of the tournament at that time.
Going into the tournament, the first challenge for Bangladesh would be to keep emotions in check and soak in the climate and atmosphere there as Bangladesh is not a team that play big tournaments on regular occasion, they get few chances, out of which this one.
Still, it will be a foolish thing for their opposition – Australia, New Zealand and England – to write off them as Bangladesh have been doing well at the moment and they are expected to pull a surprise or two.
Where To Watch:
1) Stadium:
If you want to go to the Stadium, tickets are available at ICC Official website and ticketmaster.com
2) TV Channels (by country):
Country | Paid |
Australia | Fox Sports (every game live) |
Afghanistan | TenSports |
Bangladesh | TenSports |
India | StarSports (Every Match live) & Doordarshan (only India matches) |
New Zealand | Sky NZ (Has not confirmed yet but most likely to retain broadcasting rights) |
United Kingdom | SkySports 2 (Only network in the United Kingdom to broadcast Champions Trophy) |
USA | Willow TV (Viewers in the USA can subscribe to WillowTV monthly package to get live access for Champions Trophy available on all platforms) |
Canada | WillowTV |
Sri Lanka | Star Sports (India) |
Pakistan | TenSports(to broadcast all champions trophy matches)PTV (might have live coverage of only Pakistan matches. |
Caribbeans | ESPN (not confirmed yet but ESPN is likely to win the rights in Caribbean countries) |
South Africa | SuperSports(Confirmed as Champions Trophy broadcaster in South Africa and adjacent African countries) |
Europe | No news so far about any coverage in European countries. But EuroSport might scoop it if they able to negotiate a long-term deal with ICC to promote cricket in other euro countries. |
Middle East | OSN Sports (Usually broadcast major cricket tournaments in some of the gulf states) |
Ireland | Since Ireland did not qualify, Irish viewers can only watch Champions Trophy via SkySports |
3) Live Streaming: Hot Star
4) Live Score: Sportzwiki.com
Swot Analysis –
Strength:
Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim and many more, the team has oodles of talent in their side who can get the job done. They are a team who can defeat any team on any day coming their way and not to forget, they have done this on occasions.
The likes of Mustafizur Rahman, a young Mehedi Hasan along with an experienced player like Tamim Iqbal can damage the other teams and it will not be a surprise if they manage to pull a rabbit out of a hat.
Undoubtedly, they can defeat many strong teams, including likes of Australia and India due to the talent they possess at the moment.
Weakness –
If caught in a tough situation, the biggest challenge for the team will be to come over it and turn the tide as in past as well we have seen that if a batsman is dismissed early, then others are quick to follow him blindly, which leaves no scope for bowlers to their job. The batting line up is heavily dependent upon the experience of Tamim Iqbal and he has to ensure that he gets a good start for the team as if he fails, then it can cause many problems for the team.
Talking of bowling, Bangladesh relies on Mustafizur Rahman, who has stolen all the limelight from his senior Mashrafe Mortaza from the day he arrived in international cricket. Rahman is coming with huge expectations in the tournament for sure.
Opportunities:
In the past, the team has stunned likes of India and England in ICC tournaments. They were the reason behind a strong India team failing to get to the second round of World Cup 2007 and they were responsible for England failing it make to quarter-finals in 2015 WC.
These wins are an inspiration for them as they can look back at these triumphs, with an aim to emulate them.
The team will face England in the first game of the tournament, a team who they have defeated in past two 50 overs ICC tournament. So the pressure is on England and not Bangladesh. Next up, they will face Australia, a contest will be to watch out for as Bangladesh is capable of stifling Australia as well.
The Tigers’ final league game will be against New Zealand, a team which seem to be on the same rank as Bangladesh.
A tough contest waits for Bangladesh in the competition and their journey will be worth keeping any eye on.
Threats –
The biggest threat lies with their own players, from premature celebrations to high reliability on few of the players. Before looking for external threats, they have to delve in own camp and come up with a solution. Another threat will be the conditions in England as it is still to be known whether Bangladesh will be able to perform in conditions there or not.
Looking at their form in New Zeland ODI series, it can be computed that Bangladesh will find it difficult to unlock challenges in England as conditions there are opposite to what they witness in their own country.
Now, thats a big challenge for Bangladesh to come out of their own den and then perform to convert threat into an opportunity, which will help them increase their prestige in cricketing circles or it will take no time for critics to rename them Toygers – a troll term used by opposition fans – from Tigers, which the represent themselves as.
Opinion –
The stage at which Bangladesh cricket is and looking at their condition at the moment, they are still a team who might struggle in the tournament due to mainly the fact that they haven’t played in England from past seven years, which is a big challenge for them.
Prediction –
Bangladesh will win one game in the league stage.
Squad-
Name | Role | Date of Birth (D.O.B.) |
Mashrafe Mortaza (Captain) | Bowler | October 5, 1983 |
Imrul Kayes | Batsman | February 2, 1987 |
Mahmudullah | All-rounder | February 4, 1986 |
Mehedi Hasan Miraz | All-rounder | October 25, 1997 |
Mosaddek Hossain | Batsman | December 10, 1995 |
Mushfiqur Rahim | Wicket-keeper batsman | June 9, 1987 |
Mustafizur Rahman | Bowler | September 6, 1995 |
Rubel Hossain | Bowler | January 1, 1990 |
Sabbir Rahman | Batsman | November 22, 1991 |
Shafiul Islam | Bowler | October 6, 1989 |
Shakib Al Hasan | All-rounder | March 24, 1987 |
Soumya Sarkar | Batsman | February 25, 1993 |
Sunzamul Islam | All-rounder | January 17, 1990 |
Tamim Iqbal | Batsman | March 20, 1989 |
Taskin Ahmed | Bowler | April 3, 1995 |
Fixtures –
England v Bangladesh – June 1 at The Oval (10h30)
Match Officials: S. Ravi and Rod Tucker (on-field), Bruce Oxenford (third umpire), Chris Gaffaney (fourth umpire), David Boon (match referee)
Australia v Bangladesh – June 5 at The Oval (13h30)
Match Officials: Nigel Llong and Chris Gaffaney (on-field), Ian Gould (third umpire), S.Ravi (fourth umpire), Chris Broad (match referee)
New Zealand v Bangladesh – June 9 at Cardiff (10h30)
Match Officials: Nigel Llong and Ian Gould (on-field), Aleem Dar (third umpire), Richard Illingworth (fourth umpire), Chris Broad (match referee)