Bangladesh Preview - 2023 Cricket World Cup

Bangladesh will enter the 2023 Cricket World Cup with a hope of pulling off a miracle.

The Bangla tigers have made six consecutive appearances at Cricket World Cup, featuring in each edition since 1999. However, they have never won the tournament or even reached the semifinals.

Bangladesh's best result at the ODI World Cup was reaching the Super Eight stage in the 2007 edition and the Quarter-Final in the 2015 tournament.

Bangladesh secured their direct qualification for this edition in India after winning 15 out of their 24 matches in the CWC Super League. They haven't had a great build-up to the World Cup, losing three of their five games in Asia Cup and later losing the home series versus New Zealand by 2-0.

Bangladesh has played 40 matches at Cricket World Cup, winning 14 and losing 25 with one game ending in no-result. Their win percentage in the tournament's history reads 35.89.  

In the 2015 World Cup, Bangladesh pulled off a thrilling victory over England to reach the quarterfinals, where they lost to India. In the 2019 edition, Bangladesh started off with a win over South Africa but ended up 8th with only three wins.

For the Cricket World Cup 2023, the Bangladesh squad is made up of five batters, four all-rounders, and six bowlers.

Here is Cricket Betting’s analysis.

Bangladesh Batters Analysis

The batting unit is the weaker link for Bangladesh heading into the World Cup 2023. If they are to reach the semifinals, the batting line-up needs to step up. Bangladesh announced the squad recently and made a huge call by leaving out their highest run-getter in ODI history and former captain Tamim Iqbal.

Bangladesh could have Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan opening the innings. Das returned from an injury during the Asia Cup but has had four low scores. His partner Tanzid has played five ODIs and has made only 34 runs. The management has trusted the 22-year old but their opening pair looks vulnerable.

Najmul Hossain Shanto has been given the responsibility of vice-captain. He has scored 89, 104 and 76 in his last three innings, and will be a key figure for Bangladesh in India.

The middle order comprises captain Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy. They have been flexible with their order. Shakib and Rahim will have to carry a lot of weight on their shoulders as they have done throughout their careers. The 22-year old Towhid has shown great promise, recently hitting 82 against Sri Lanka and 54 versus India.

Another veteran Mahmudullah will have a job to provide good finishing to their innings. He missed the Asia Cup but returned to the side against New Zealand, and looked in good touch.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has a massive role to play for Bangladesh. The all-rounder is their floater and has batted at four different positions this year, including opening. He has hit two centuries in the last 10 months and is likely to open in a few games, with an extra bowler coming in.

Bangladesh have constantly tweaked their playing XI in the build-up, making it hard to predict their exact batting unit. Tanzid Hasan looks the most vulnerable to sit out. 

Bangladesh Wicketkeepers Analysis

Bangladesh have two wicket-keepers in their 15-member squad - Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das. Both of them will be in the playing XI, being key parts of their batting line-up.

Rahim has been their designated keeper so he will continue taking the gloves in the World Cup. He had good starts with the bat in the Asia Cup and scored 64 against Pakistan. Litton, on the other hand, needs to get his form back asap.

Bangladesh Bowlers Analysis

Bangladesh have opted to go into the World Cup with five pace bowlers and five spin bowlers. Four of those spinners being all-rounders helps them with the balance of the playing XI.

Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan and Mahmudullah all add dual value with their batting and bowling. As for the playing XI, Mahedi is unlikely to get many chances with Mehidy and Mahmudullah offering off-spin options and being better batters.

Shakib's left arm spin will be key for them on Indian pitches. He looked in pretty good rhythm during the Asia Cup. Nasum Ahmed is also in the squad, offering the same skill set with the ball. He picked 2 for 21 in eight overs in the first game versus New Zealand and is likely to play at spin-friendly venues.

Coming to the pace attack, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman are likely to be their frontline trio. Taskin has been magnificent in the format this year, picking 21 scalps in 10 innings with a best of 4 for 44.

Mustafizur has found his mojo, snaring eight wickets in the last three games. Fizz doing well will be crucial for Bangladesh, especially at the end overs. Shoriful Islam has been superb with the ball, claiming 16 wickets in eight games this year at 18 runs a piece.

Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan Sakib are the backup pacers but are likely to play some role, considering how long the tournament is. 

Cricket World Cup 2023 – Bangladesh Predictions and Summary

Bangladesh to have a group stage exit. They have a decent bowling attack but lack the firepower in the batting unit. They have a squad to win a game here and there, but reaching the semifinals looks difficult.

Shakib Al Hasan to be Bangladesh’s top run-scorer. The veteran all-rounder had scored 542 runs in the previous World Cup edition. He has looked in good touch recently, scoring 53 and 80 in two of the last three games.

Taskin Ahmed to be Bangladesh's top wicket-taker in the tournament. The right arm fast bowler has taken 21 wickets in 10 innings this year at an average of 16.85, with best figures of 4/44.

Full squad – Team Bangladesh:
Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto (vice-captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan