ICC World Twenty20 2012 Preview - Bangladesh

ICC World T20 2012 Preview - Bangladesh

Bangladesh were brilliant in the Asia Cup but can they produce in the ICC World Twenty20?

©REUTERS / Action Images

Bangladesh often have the capacity to enthrall and frustrate in equal measure. In 2007, they followed up an excellent win against the West Indies with a series of losses having flattered to deceive.

Against South Africa they charged out of the blocks but couldn't sustain the pace and then fell victim to a Brett Lee hat-trick against Australia and were thumped by 64 runs when they met Sri Lanka.

In 2009 they were beaten by Ireland and failed to negotiate their way out of the group stage and in 2010 were beaten by both Pakistan and Australia, once again falling at the first hurdle.

However, this time around they can rightly feel more confident about their chances. Although they have never beaten fellow Group D opponents Pakistan in a Twenty20 International, they comprehensively beat New Zealand in a One-Day International series in 2010 - winning all four completed matches, no less.

On conditions similar to their home grounds, they could well prove to be a threat for a far from vintage New Zealand side. However, in the 2011 World Cup - held in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka - the least successful of the three hosts were bundled out at the quarter-final stage and New Zealand made it through to the semi-finals.

Then came the Asia Cup, where in front of their adoring home crowd, Bangladesh made it all the way to the final, spoiling Sachin Tendulkar's 100th international century celebrations and were desperately unlucky not to beat their nemesis Pakistan. It remains to be seen whether this breakthrough performance is indeed a watershed for the Tigers or just another flash in the pan.

Prior to the tournament, Bangladesh embarked on a tour of Europe, playing Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands. They beat Ireland 3-0, lost to Scotland and tied 1-1 with the Netherlands. These results can be taken to prove either the unpredictability of the format or the relative level of the men in green.

Nevertheless, only one change was made to the touring squad as Farhad Reza was brought in to replace Nazmul Hossain, and he offers more of an all-round option.

There is a concern over the fitness of Shakib Al Hasan's knee but even a partially fit Shakib would be worth his place in the squad and they continue their prepearations with a quadrangular tournament in Trinidad.

The game against New Zealand, on 21st September, stands out as crucial. With a poor record against Pakistan, they will realise that a win over the Black Caps is the minimum they need to do to stand a chance of getting through.

Recent Form

2012 -WWWLWL

18th July: beat Ireland by 71 runs in Belfast
20th July: beat Ireland by 1 run in Belfast
21st July: beat Ireland by 2 wickets in Belfast
24th July: lost to Scotland by 34 runs in Voorburg
25th July: beat Netherlands by 8 wickets in Voorburg
26th July: lost to Netherlands by 1 wicket in Voorburg

Previous Tournament Performances

2007 - beat the West Indies to reach the Super Eights, where they lost all three matches against Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
2009 - beaten by both Ireland and India and failed to reach the Super Eights
2010 - a repeat performance as they were beaten by Australia and Pakistan

Tournament Fixtures

Group D opponents: New Zealand & Pakistan

21st September v New Zealand in Pallekele
23rd September v Pakistan in Pallekele

Squad

Mushfiqur Rahim (captain, wicket-keeper), Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Abul Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Tamim Iqbal, Jahurul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Ziaur Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Farhad Reza, Junaid Siddique, Elias Sunny

John Pennington

© Cricket World 2012