Bangladesh 2019 Cricket World Cup squad: Key players, fixtures, prediction, odds and more

A guide to Bangladesh's Cricket World Cup squad

Ranked seventh in the world, Bangladesh will be no push-overs at this summer’s World Cup.

A victory for the Tigers in a three-match series against West Indies at the start of the year set a good platform for them to continue their groundwork, although preparation took a hit during a traumatising tour in New Zealand.

After losing the one-day series 3-0, a third Test match, featuring many white ball players, was abandoned following an attack at Christchurch in March.

Several players are said to have sought counselling following the indecent that took place metres away from the bus; their match against the All Blacks at The Oval on Wednesday 5 June will be an emotional affair.

Their captain, Mashrafe Mortaza, likes his stable to bat deep into the match and relies on their skilful blend of pace and spin bowlers to keep run chases to a minimum.

Fixtures

• South Africa, Sunday 2 June, The Oval, London
• New Zealand, Wednesday 5 June, The Oval, London
• England, Saturday 8 June, Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff
• Sri Lanka, Tuesday 11 June, Bristol County Ground, Bristol
• West Indies, Monday 17 June, County Ground Taunton, Somerset
• Australia, Thursday 20 June, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
• Afghanistan, Monday 24 June, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
• India, Tuesday 2 July, Edgbaston, Birmingham

Squad

Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Abu Jayed, Liton Das (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal.

Key players

Shakib Al Hasan was named as the best all-rounder in the world, according to the ICC rankings that were released shortly before the start of the World Cup.

Al Hasan clocked up 140 runs in three matches during the tri-series in Ireland, while his unorthodox spin bowling claimed two wickets.

Captain

Mashrafe Mortaza has been playing international cricket for almost 18 years and leads an experienced dressing room alongside Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah.

Bangladesh are unlikely to challenge later in the tournament (Getty)

The 35-year-old, unlike most one-day captains, inspires his side with his words beforehand rather than leading by example on the field. Multiple knee operations and success in his campaign to become an elected member of parliament will not be a distraction for a local icon, who may eye a memorable way to close the curtain on his tenure in the national side.

Player to watch

Two five-wicket hauls in his first two ODI matches made India’s batsmen, Bangladesh and the world stand up and take note of Mustafizue Rahman. He burst onto the scene aged 19 during India’s tour of Bangladesh and took 13 wickets in the three-match series in June 2015.

Since then, Rahman has played in the IPL and Vitality T20 and is ranked 11th in the ICC’s bowling rankings.

Odds to win

80/1

Prediction

Bangladesh’s matches will be less of the swash-buckling quick-fire cricket that the big hitters like England, India and Australia aim to serve up, with the side’s DNA favouring a slower and more tactical game where scores are likely to be lower than the mid-300s some international sides set for fun.

A better-than-expected Champions Trophy campaign in 2017, beating New Zealand in the group before being knocked out by India in the semi-final, suggests Bangladesh may be able to hatch a plan to cause a shock later in the tournament.

Mashrafe is targeting a place in the semi-final. Pipe dreams are good.