World Cup 2022 | Team Bangladesh | Complete Squad Analysis | SWOT

Written By: Ritwika Dhar, Jeet Vachharajani

Date: 03-03-2022

• Bangladesh team got their ODI status in 2011 after finishing 5th in the 2011 Women’s World Cup Qualifier
• As the 2021 World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe got canceled due to the breakout of Omicron, they managed to qualify first time for the World Cup on the basis of the ICC ODI rankings (5th)
• Before this World Cup, they have participated in the T20 World Cups 4 times – 2014 (as the host nation), 2016, 2018, and 2020
• Bangladesh cricket’s breakthrough moment was winning the Asia Cup in 2018 by defeating India who had won all the previous titles of that multinational tournament

• Bangladesh played 5 unofficial ODIs against South Africa’s emerging side, 3 ODI match series against Zimbabwe, and the ODI world cup qualifiers in 2021
• They won all matches against Emerging SA side and Zimbabwe
• In the qualifiers, they won a historic match against Pakistan, but lost to the Thailand team unexpectedly
• They recently participated in the CWG Qualifiers where they lost against Sri Lanka in the final match and lost the ticket to Birmingham too
  

SQUAD

STRENGTHS

One of the best spin attacks: Bangladesh has the experience of Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, a proven youngster in Nahida Akter, and a supporting act in Fahima Khatun. While spinners are not the go-to weapons when playing in New Zealand, Bangladesh is a team that’s been traditionally built around them just like many other teams from the subcontinent.

WEAKNESSES

Lack of experience of playing against big teams: Bangladesh has played a total of 42 ODIs, out of which 21 have been against South Africa and India. Out of those 21 ODIs, they have lost 19. They will now be facing a daunting challenge to see out the likes of Australia, New Zealand, and England whom they have never faced before.

Lack of power-hitters: Here’s arguably Bangladesh’s biggest issue. Bangladesh is a team that is capable enough of batting out the 50 overs but without many runs. Whenever they do manage to bat out the full quota, one must realistically expect them to score in a range of 170-210. The highest SR for a player in the current squad is just 62.64 and the average SR of the entire team is 49.95!

OPPORTUNITIES

No baggage of expectations: The one good thing for Bangladesh is that not many have high expectations from them. They carry no baggage coming into the tournament which is their first and here’s a chance to play freely without anything to lose and everything to gain.

A captaincy shift for Bangladesh, Nigar’s 1st WC as a captain: Rumana Ahmed led for 18 ODIs and won 4 of them. Salma Khatun led for 18 ODIs and won 4 of them. The baton has now been passed on to Nigar Sultana is is off to 2 wins in 2 games. The young skipper has a chance to chart her own roadmap and blueprint for success in the longer run.

A great platform to stamp their authority in international cricket: It’s the first 50-over World Cup for Bangladesh and not many get to see them in action in the ODIs. Now, they will be on the global stage with all the eyes on them. Here’s their chance to shine as they will look eye-to-eye and match step-to-step with the big established names in ODI cricket.

THREATS

Challenging conditions of New Zealand: The big challenge for Bangladesh lies in negotiating swing bowling. It’s something that they are not used to and now will face up against the best of the best swing bowlers in Megan Schutt, Jhulan Goswami, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Kerr, etc. Now, this will be a huge challenge!

Weak pace attack: Jahanara Alam is the only experienced bowler in the side, and she bowled just 4 overs across the 2 warm-up games which was indicative of team potentially not even including her in the Playing XI, to begin with. She has support in the pace unit, but none of those pacers are experienced enough and the games could be lost for Bangladesh in the first 10 overs itself if they are bowling first. They could face a situation where a spinner will operate for at least 3 overs in the PP. A potentially good option for them could be utilizing the LAP in F. Trisna, but she is short of experience too.

KEY PLAYERS

Salma Khatun: Former captain is the most experienced with the ball. Highest wicket-taker across the formats for Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s most consistent performer and her form and experience can turn their fortune in their maiden 50-over World Cup.

Rumana Ahmed: Bangladesh’s best all-rounder. She was the hero in their record victory against Pakistan in the qualifiers. Her all-round performance will be crucial.

Jahanara Alam: Their most successful pacer. She was the player of the series against Zimbabwe in 2021. New Zealand’s conditions will help her to generate swing with the new ball.

Fargana Hoque: Bangladesh’s best and consistent batter, scored almost 1,000 runs in both the formats of white-ball cricket  

Nahida Akter: This young bowler has proved her mettle since her debut which was at the age of just 15. Despite being just 22-years old, Nahida has picked up 26 ODI wickets at an average of just 17 with an impressive economy of just 3.3.

Likely starting XI: Shamima Sultana, Sharmin Akhter, Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana (C & Wk), Rumana Ahmed, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Salma Khatun, Lata Mondal, Suraiya Azmin, Nahida Akter

*For the complete schedule of the World Cup, check out the Schedule section of our page, Cricket Queens. World Cup Fixtures