Bangladesh's Probable Squad For 2023 World Cup

image-ll6gpt6tShakib Al Hasan will be back as ODI captain in the coming Asia Cup and World Cup (Getty Images)

Some teams are capable of punching above their weight, and Bangladesh are unquestionably one of them in international cricket. As the ODI World Cup draws near, the expectation that 'The Tigers' will perform heroically at the biggest event increases day by day.


Shakib, Litton, and the Tigers' long-awaited 'Dream'

Bangladesh's World Cup performances, however, fall short of their high hopes. Even though they won twice in their first three games in Australia last year, their defeats against Pakistan and India in their final two games caused them to finish behind the Netherlands in the Super 12 of the T20 World Cup.

The Tigers had even worse performances in the second-to-last T20 World Cup, losing all five of their games in the UAE.

How will they change their luck? The first move that they made on Friday was Shakib Al Hasan’s reappointment as ODI captain. For the first time since 2017, Shakib will captain Bangladesh in the 50-over format during the upcoming Asia Cup and then the ODI World Cup, but does he have the right soldiers to dramatically change the situation? Let us look at it.


Batters: Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mohammad Naim

image-ll6jodvjTamim Iqbal stepped down as Bangladesh ODI captain on August 3 (Getty Images)

Tamim Iqbal will not be joining the Bangladesh squad after recently suffering a back injury. However, if all goes according to plan, he should be back in national colours at the World Cup. A player of his stature holds an absolute key at the top of Bangladesh’s batting order.

With 429 runs totaled and an average of 39, Najmul Hossain Shanto has impressive stats for 2023, and that should solidify his position at No. 3.

Towhid Hridoy, who has had an outstanding 2023 (338 runs at an average of 48.28) since making his debut, will remain at No. 5. Unless Tamim remains unavailable, Mohammad Naim will remain Bangladesh's backup opener.


All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz

image-ll6kgm06Shakib Al Hasan is now Bangladesh's all-format captain (Getty Images)

The poster boy of Bangladesh cricket, Shakib Al Hasan will take the helm at yet another World Cup. It is unfathomable what he accomplished (606 runs at an average of 86.57, 11 wickets) during the World Cup in England in 2019. Even if he fails to replicate it, he will go down in history as one of the greatest all-rounders the world has ever seen.

Shakib will have Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain, who have been performing decently on the international circuit, on his side. Mehidy and Afif, who play regularly for Bangladesh cricket, will be just as important as Shakib in India, a country where spinners typically fare better than pacers.


Wicket-keepers: Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das

image-ll6l1idgLitton Das is one of the most popular faces among Bangladesh players (Getty Images)

Litton Das had stupendous numbers in 2022, having tallied 577 runs in 13 ODIs at an average of 52.45. Despite having unimpressive 2023 records (301 runs at an average of 30), he will be essential at the top of the order to lay the groundwork for others.

Mushfiqur Rahim, another old horse along with Tamim and Shakib, will also be in focus, as the wicket-keeper batsman will be the main man in Bangladesh’s middle-order.


Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam

image-ll6len3iMustafizur Rahman has been leading the Bangladesh attack for a while (Getty Images)

Bangladesh will have a wide variety of fast bowling options due to their inexperience. While Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed will lead the pack, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud will, in all likelihood, be there to support them. 

Mahmud, however, ought to start alongside Mustafizur and Taskin given that he has had a solid ODI debut (20 wickets in 13 games). Taijul Islam, the only sole designated spinner, will complete the 15-member squad.

Bangladesh's Probable 15-member Squad for World Cup 2023

Tamim Iqbal, Litton Das, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam


Bangladesh's Predicted XI for ODI World Cup 2023

Tamim Iqbal, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman