The old warhorses
Once again the Tigers have proved that this is a new Bangladesh in the World Cup 2019. With a winning start in the World Cup opener against South Africa, Bangladesh have put faith in their fans that they are thirsty and have many things to accomplish in this World Cup.
World Cup is more than a game as it defines who is going to rule the world for the next four years. Along with a trophy and championship, the tournament brings glory and fame for a nation worldwide.
That is why each team and every player in a particular squad try to deliver their best in the tournament. That is how the World Cup makes a union of the world's best of the best.
Nearly half a month ago, Bangladesh picked their most capable combination ever with five veterans -- Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza – in a squad for the ongoing World Cup in England and Wales.
People say one more thing matters on the field beyond the 11 players. And that is experience. In this respect, Bangladesh is more advanced than any of the other teams in this tournament as it has picked one of the most experienced squads of the world.
Each of the mega stars has an experience of more than 12 years in international cricket. Five have played 980 ODI matches. At this stage, they are quite capable to bring the tide to them in any game against any opposition.
If experience works, Bangladesh will definitely do brilliantly in rest of the World Cup battles.
Since 2007, the cricketers played 104 matches together and they won 51 of them. If they play together, it not only intensifies strength of the team, it also increases possibility of Bangladesh’s victory in the particular game.
In terms performance, Shakib Al Hasan will top the list. He is a record boy. The day Shakib performs Bangladesh rarely struggles in that match. Shakib is scheduled to play his 200th match against New Zealand in this World Cup. Bangladesh is looking to Shakib to tame the Kiwis, the one of the favourites in this tournament.
The wonder boy of Bangladesh attained unique feat in this World Cup. Shakib has been the only Bangladeshi who has picked up 250 wickets and at least 5,000 runs. With wicket of Markram at the 20th over of World Cup opener against South Africa, Shakib joined the elite club of cricketers. Only four cricketers in the history of world cricket had touched the millstone.
Since 2007, Shakib is the only Bangladeshi who managed to score at least a fifty in their each opening match in World Cup.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is often dubbed by the many of the former cricket greats as the ‘best’ skipper in this World Cup. World Cup is nothing new to him. Since 2003, he has led Bangladesh in the 2015 and 2017 editions of World Cup out of his four World Cup plays. In 2015 edition, he had led Bangladesh to quarter finals for the first time beating England.
Tamim Iqbal has been playing his fourth World Cup. He is player of the big match. The old warhorse has also an experience of playing more than 194 ODI matches. The opening batter is daring to play his fifth World Cup in 2023, as well.
Tamim is in his superb form. He is maintaining an average of more than 50 runs since 2017. He has highest centuries of 11 as a Bangladeshi with 6,652 runs.
Mahmudullah has nowadays been a terrific match winner. He has an experience of 176 ODI matches. In the last ediction of World Cup, Mahmuduallah alone put Bangladesh to the quarterfinals. He hit two back-to-back centuries in the World Cup. If Mahmudullah fires up, Bangladesh can beat any opposition.
Mushfiqur Rahim has also experience of playing 206 matches. He is the third Bangladeshi batsman to score 5,000 runs. He with Mahmudullah has built up the strongest middle order ever for the team. Mushfiq has capability of quick firing the score. If he stays in his current form in this World Cup, Bangladesh will go long in this World Cup.