Bangladesh Watch 2015-2019
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 7:25 am
The Tigers seem to have a new lease of success currently. Are they assuming their role as the jungle's apex predator???
Over the next 4 years, we should have a fairly busy schedule. 33 Tests, and 41 ODIs scheduled (don't care about T20s) + 2 Asia Cups + 1 tri series.
This year is a pretty tough one. 4 home series as follows:
vs PAK (2 Tests, 3 ODIs)
vs IND (1 Test, 3 ODIs)
vs SA (2 Tests, 3 ODIs)
vs AUS (2 Tests)
The rainy season coincides with the PAK, IND, and SA tours. Thus, I think we have the ability to draw all 5 scheduled Tests, and maybe win a 3-4 of the ODIs, more if India sends their "A" team like last year.
What is most promising about this Bangladesh side is that they are starting to form a well rounded side. The very end of this 4 year period will see us venture out to New Zealand for a 3-Test series, and by that time we could have a very strong lineup. Most of our players are either entering the prime of their career or are still in their pre-prime early years.
Mushfiq-Shakib-Tamim form the core, and they are vastly experienced, yet still young. Shakib at 28 is the oldest, while Mushfiq and Tamim are both only 26. Mushfiq in particular has the discipline and fitness to play on until he's 40. Mahmudullah may become a member of this club, as he was the MVP during the World Cup...much to everyone's surprise! He too is still south of 30 years old.
The youth brigade is staffed by Mominul-Nasir-Sabbir-Soumya-Taskin-Taijul-Jubair. None is older than 23 but all have already started making their mark at the highest level. Abul Hasan is outside this group, but if he can average even a third of what his current Test average is, and provide something with the ball, he too could be an asset. Shohag Gazi too could offer much with both bat and ball.
Yet uncapped but promising players include left arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman, batsmen Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shadman Islam, and leg spinner Saleh Ahmed. Most of these players are Under-19ers and the current U-19 team is leading the defending world champions, South Africa, 4-1 in a 7 match ODI series.
Most Bangladesh fans are excited after a generally impressive showing at the 2015 World Cup.
Whether they get there or not, but I believe we have the capability to be the 5th or 6th ranked ODI side in the world by 2019, and be 7th or 8th ranked Test team.
Over the next 4 years, we should have a fairly busy schedule. 33 Tests, and 41 ODIs scheduled (don't care about T20s) + 2 Asia Cups + 1 tri series.
This year is a pretty tough one. 4 home series as follows:
vs PAK (2 Tests, 3 ODIs)
vs IND (1 Test, 3 ODIs)
vs SA (2 Tests, 3 ODIs)
vs AUS (2 Tests)
The rainy season coincides with the PAK, IND, and SA tours. Thus, I think we have the ability to draw all 5 scheduled Tests, and maybe win a 3-4 of the ODIs, more if India sends their "A" team like last year.
What is most promising about this Bangladesh side is that they are starting to form a well rounded side. The very end of this 4 year period will see us venture out to New Zealand for a 3-Test series, and by that time we could have a very strong lineup. Most of our players are either entering the prime of their career or are still in their pre-prime early years.
Mushfiq-Shakib-Tamim form the core, and they are vastly experienced, yet still young. Shakib at 28 is the oldest, while Mushfiq and Tamim are both only 26. Mushfiq in particular has the discipline and fitness to play on until he's 40. Mahmudullah may become a member of this club, as he was the MVP during the World Cup...much to everyone's surprise! He too is still south of 30 years old.
The youth brigade is staffed by Mominul-Nasir-Sabbir-Soumya-Taskin-Taijul-Jubair. None is older than 23 but all have already started making their mark at the highest level. Abul Hasan is outside this group, but if he can average even a third of what his current Test average is, and provide something with the ball, he too could be an asset. Shohag Gazi too could offer much with both bat and ball.
Yet uncapped but promising players include left arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman, batsmen Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shadman Islam, and leg spinner Saleh Ahmed. Most of these players are Under-19ers and the current U-19 team is leading the defending world champions, South Africa, 4-1 in a 7 match ODI series.
Most Bangladesh fans are excited after a generally impressive showing at the 2015 World Cup.
Whether they get there or not, but I believe we have the capability to be the 5th or 6th ranked ODI side in the world by 2019, and be 7th or 8th ranked Test team.