ODI World Cup 2023: Bangladesh’s preliminary optimism continues to fade as semis loom massive

The Bangladesh followers did every little thing they might. They donned the nationwide colors, carried the Bengal tiger mascot and their chants of ‘ Joy Bangla’ echoed throughout the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. 

It’s a practice that these followers, who’re common in nearly each Bangladesh fixture throughout the globe, observe.

But to date within the World Cup, they’ve had extra heartbreaks than celebrations. After a successful begin in opposition to Afghanistan, Bangladesh has misplaced 4 video games on the trot – the most recent being a 149-run defeat in opposition to South Africa. These setbacks have taken the fizz out of Bangladesh’s World Cup marketing campaign, and hopes of creating it to the semifinals look bleak. 

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, too, didn’t sound optimistic. “We would still like to finish up the table, if not semifinalists, then fifth or sixth,” Shakib advised official broadcasters, making it clear that within the remaining 4 matches, Bangladesh’s intention can be to revive some pleasure.

Over the previous few years, Bangladesh has had an analogous destiny in ICC tournaments.

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Leading as much as the occasion, the gamers, the nation’s cricket board and the travelling media contingent have nice expectations – solely to be dejected as soon as the motion begins. This time round, issues have been messier. At a time when most groups have been busy fine-tuning their squads, the Bangladesh cricket crew was caught in a tangle between the 2 stars of the crew – captain Shakib and erstwhile skipper Tamim Iqbal.

Just earlier than the Asia Cup, Tamim stop captaincy and even introduced a retirement, solely to make a U-turn after the intervention of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, a again harm compelled Tamim out of the Asian match and though the BCB tried dousing the fireplace, tales of a feud between the 2 icons of the sport made headlines, and finally, it led to the ouster of Tamim, simply a few days earlier than the crew was about to depart for India.

“Things went haywire over the last three months, with so many turns of events – from Tamim’s injury to him announcing retirement, making a comeback and Shakib taking over again. And those changes in such a short time seem to have affected the entire process,” Mohammad Ashraful, a former Bangladesh captain, who’s now a commentator, advised  Sportstar.

Ashraful is among the many many who consider that the BCB might have dealt with the difficulty higher for the sake of the nation. 

“The BCB could have handled it better by making both of them sit together and iron out the issues,” Ashraful stated. “Tamim is such a senior player and until three months ago, we were faring well in ODIs under his captaincy. We won the series in South Africa (in March 2022) and beat quite a few big teams – including India – so we were in good shape…”

If leaving out Tamim was one of many main setbacks, there appeared to be some ambiguity over the choice of some senior gamers – probably the most outstanding being Mahmadullah. 

The seasoned batter, who scored his fourth ODI century on Tuesday in opposition to South Africa, returned to the fold in the course of the residence collection in opposition to New Zealand after being within the wilderness for about six months. Even although the nationwide selectors termed it as a ‘rest’, Mahmdullah stated, “I think there was a little too much rest for me. It was not in my control. It was the decision of the team management. If I can do my job honestly, it is good enough for me and the team…”

“I can’t say anything regarding that time (when I was out of the national team). I do want to talk about a lot of things but this is not the right time to talk about all those things,” Mahmudullah stated after the sport in opposition to South Africa.

Throughout the match, he has batted at No.6 – a place that’s not tailored for him. But Mahmadullah didn’t wish to make a fuss out of it.

So far within the match, inconsistency in each division has damage the crew. Except for the sport in opposition to India in Pune, the Bangladesh openers haven’t had a partnership past 93 runs. Though Litton Das scored half-centuries in opposition to India and England, he did not get stepping into crunch conditions. 

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The crew has had numerous expectations from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, however he has flattered to deceive. Ever since scoring a half-century and claiming three wickets within the opener in opposition to Afghanistan, Miraz has struggled with the willow; and it has been an analogous story with captain Shakib. Considered one of many most interesting all-rounders, Shakib has regarded like a shadow of his former self – scoring simply 56 runs in 4 innings and claiming six wickets.

The lack of an excellent begin and a wobbly middle-order has made issues troublesome for Bangladesh. And including to its woes, the quick bowling division – spearheaded by Mustafizur Rahman – has additionally been off-colour. 

Mustafizur and Taskin Ahmed have collectively bagged 4 wickets within the match, whereas the younger Shoriful Islam has been the one vibrant spot, claiming six wickets. On spin-friendly surfaces, the shortage of a high quality tweaker has troubled the crew.

On paper, it nonetheless has mathematical possibilities of making it to the last-four, however even Shakib and the crew administration know that it’s an uphill process, given the truth that its subsequent 4 opponents can be The Netherlands, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Like each different time, Bangladesh got here into the World Cup with quite a lot of hope, however after some below-par performances, the crew has little or no to stay up for.