Bangladesh’s travails in test cricket, a series against a weakened West Indies aside, have been obvious for all to see, but in one day cricket, and particularly at home, they have been improving and their status as joint hosts for this tournament should stand them in good stead.
They find themselves in a tough group, but their knowledge of the conditions and their array of spinners should be enough to see them through the group stages. In Tamim Iqbal they have an extremely dangerous opening batsman who is capable of putting any attack on the back foot and others, such as Imrul Kayes, will benefit from not having the ball whizzing around their ears. If the enigma that is Mohammad Ashraful can bat as we all know that he can then they should make decent runs, especially with the all round talent of Shakib al Hasan in the middle order.
If this World Cup were being played in England or Australia then their attack would look weak, but on slow, low pitches the battery of spinners lead by Shakib should come into their own. England were pretty lucky to win the series in Bangladesh 3-0 a year ago and the whitewash of New Zealand will have put them in good heart, making them believe that they can take on anyone and strangle pretty much any batting line-up. They are not serious contenders, yet, for the trophy but the signs are that they are moving in the right direction.
Much depends on: Tamim Iqbal. If he can regularly get the innings off to a flying start then opponents could be in for a long fifty overs.
Verdict: Quarter-finals
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