2015 Bangladesh World Cup Review

[al Furqaan]

This is the follow up to the preview (click to view) I wrote before the tournament. A large part of it will be a comparison to our pre-World Cup record.

Overall, Bangladesh can call the 2015 World Cup a success. They achieved their initial target of progressing beyond the group stage and displayed impressive temperament and mental fortitude in clutch situations. The ever-evolving maturation of Bangladesh as a cricketing nation was on full display, and the irrational criticisms and outright slander faced by the team from various non-neutral fans indicates that we are on the right path.

Individual Performance

Mashrafe bin Mortaza (Captain, Right Arm Fast Medium, Right Hand Batsman)
ODI record: 144 matches, 183 wickets @ 30.51, 4.67 econ, Best of 6 for 26
World Cup: 5 matches, 7 wickets @ 35.71, 5.31 econ, Best of 3 for 20

The captain bowled his heart out and impressed with the dedication he has shown throughout his career. He played with more braces and supports than the Eiffel Tower and was never short of passion. He probably overbowled himself in the Quarterfinal game against India, but anytime you restrict India's powerful batting lineup to 302, you know you've done a solid job. His faith and support to his fellow seamers allowed them to take the limelight and in that he should be praised. Overall he stated he was "proud" to lead this side, and Bangladesh are proud to have him at our service.

Shakib al Hasan (Vice-Captain, Left Hand Batsman, Left Arm Orthodox)
ODI record: 141 matches, 3977 runs @ 34.58, 182 wickets @ 27.92, Strike Rate of 79.41, 4.26 econ, High Score 134*, Best of 4 for 16
World Cup: 6 matches, 196 runs @ 39.20, 8 wickets @ 37.25, Strike Rate of 93.77, 5.16 econ, High Score of 63, Best of 4 for 55

Although he had a quiet tournament, his stats don't read badly. Still he disappear, particularly, with the bat at crucial moments, but the beauty of having a genuine all rounder in the side is that he can turn a match with either bat or ball. Fortunately, Bangladesh have developed enough match-winners so as not to be reliant on Shakib.

Tamim Iqbal (Left Hand Batsman)
ODI record: 135 matches, 3971 runs @ 29.85, Strike Rate of 77.55, High Score 154
World Cup: 6 matches, 154 runs @ 25.66, Strike Rate of 75.86, High Score of 95

By any measure a poor tournament. Again, its a testament to the continued progression of Bangladesh that without a single marquee performance from either Shakib or Tamim, Bangladesh still qualified for the knockout stages in foreign conditions. This is a feat that was unthinkable just four years ago.

Anamul Haque (Right Hand Batsman, Wicket-Keeper)
ODI record: 27 matches, 892 runs @ 35.68, Strike Rate of 70.84, High Sccore 120
World Cup: 3 matches, 58 runs @ 29.00, Strike Rate of 59.18, High Score 29

Subpar performances in his only two chances, before a shoulder injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament. His footwork seemed markedly better, although his lack of scoring ability in the initial powerplay is a huge concern. Will need to improve his game to the 21st century style.

Mominul Haque (Left Hand Batsman)
ODI record: 24 matches, 539 runs at @ 25.66, Strike Rate of 74.65, High Score 60
World Cup: 2 matches, 4 runs @ 2.00, Strike Rate of 66.66, High Score 3

Was an invisible man during the World Cup. May not fit into the current limited overs side although he is a leading player in the Test team.

Mushfiqur Rahim (Right Hand Batsman, Wicket-Keeper)
ODI record: 140 matches, 3143 runs @ 28.92, Strike Rate of 71.35, High Score 117
World Cup: 6 matches, 298 runs @ 49.66, Strike Rate of 105.67, High Score 89

Top class performance from the little man. Really did his job well. His clutch 89 was just as vital as Riyad's century in getting us an all-important win. Maintained his position as Bangladesh's most important batsman across formats. Whats more, he's only 26 and just entering the prime of his career. A fabulous decade awaits.

Nasir Hossain (Right Hand Batsman, Right Arm Off Break and Right Arm Medium Fast)
ODI record: 41 matches, 1044 runs @ 34.80, Strike Rate of 78.73, High Score 100
World Cup: 3 matches, 46 runs @ 23.00, 4 wickets @ 24.75, Strike Rate of 112.19, Best of 2 for 32

Seems to have finally snuck out of the doghouse.May have been streaky, but hopefully the runs he scored will help him regain his confidence. If Bangladesh is to make a serious push into the top eight of world cricket - now not an unrealistic goal - Nasir's form will be crucial to that campaign.

Sabbir Rahman (Right Hand Batsman, Right Arm Leg Break)
ODI record: 5 matches, 83 runs @ 27.66, Strike Rate of 125.75, High Score 44*
World Cup: 6 matches, 182 runs @ 36.40, Strike Rate of 98.37, High Score 53

One of the finds of the tournament for Bangladesh. He showed that he could play a responsible knock (solid fifty vs Sri Lanka) as well as do the damage late in an innings (vs New Zealand) when given the opportunity. That sort of versatility is a welcome asset in the lower order.

Soumya Sarkar (Left Hand Batsman, Right Arm Medium Fast)
ODI record: 1 match, 20 runs @ 20.00, Strike Rate of 111.11, High Score 20
World Cup: 6 matches, 175 runs @ 29.16. Strike Rate of 88.38, High Score 51

Showed plenty of promise despite his inexperience. His strokeplay is gorgeous and he also has power in his game as demostrated by some big sixes that he hit. Unfazed even when he walks onto the pitch early in an innings. His potential is very exciting for Bangladesh.

Mahmudullah (Right Hand Batsman, Right Arm Off Break)
ODI record: 110 matches, 2123 runs @ 32.16, Strike Rate of 72.90, High Score 82*, 67 wickets @ 42.14, 5.07 econ, Best of 3 for 4
World Cup: 6 matches, 365 runs @ 73.00, Strike Rate of 81.83, High Score 128*

The absolute surprise of this World Cup for Bangladesh, Riyad had his coming out party. His innings against England will go down as one of Bangladesh's best ever and the follow up ton against a phenomenal New Zealand attack highlights the ability that has frustrated fans for nearly a decade now. If he can maintain this confidence as he enters the peak of his career, Bangladesh will have a formidable top order for the foreseeable future.

Taskin Ahmed (Right Arm Fast)
ODI Record: 3 matches, 7 wickets @ 12.71, 3.86 econ, Best of 5 for 28
World Cup: 6 matches, 9 wickets @ 36.11, 6.37 econ, Best of 3 for 43

Taskin had a solid tournament. He was praised for his pace, aggression, and energy. Consistently bowled near the 90 mph mark and could have had several more wickets at a very impressive average had it not been for shoddy fielding. Took the key wicket of Jos Buttler to set up the England game for Rubel's heroics. Still a teenager, Taskin is a talent of the highest order and he proved it on the biggest stage.

Rubel Hossain (Right Arm Fast Medium)
ODI record: 53 matches, 69 wickets @ 32.36, 5.58 econ
World Cup: 6 matches: 8 wickets @ 37.25, 5.90 econ, Best of 4 for 53

Ended up being Bangladesh's fastest bowler in the tournament, regularly crossing 145 kph. Bowled his heart out, and was excellent throughout. A bright future awaits him in the ODI format.

Arafat Sunny and Taijul Islam omitted as they only played 1 match eatch.

Overall Performance

The batting was solid for the most part. Although Bangladesh finished well behind Zimbabwe in average run rate, they did have a significantly higher average (ranked 7th overall), and played most of their matches on the large grounds of Australia. Batting could have been better in the games against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and most importantly India. A main reason for the sluggishness was the poor form of all three openers: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, and Imrul Kayes. The middle order was excellent, and did as well as any of the best teams at the tournament during the middle overs. In the three matches Bangladesh batted first, they averaged 85 runs in the final 10 overs. This is somewhat less than the tournament average of approximately 89 runs. Teams routinely took 100+ off the final 10 overs, and Bangladesh managed that just once, with 104 run effort against New Zealand.

The bowling was OK overall. Bangladesh ended up conceding runs at 5.73 an over (8th overall) but struggled to pick wickets mostly due to poor fielding. Bangladesh finished at a woeful 11th out of 14 in bowling average, despite the fact that the bowlers bowled a lot better than those figures suggested. Dropped catches really hurt Bangladesh.

What the Future Holds

Bangladesh has 9 potential ODIs scheduled for the rest of the year with series against Pakistan, India, and South Africa in the current FTP. Winning a few games and getting into the top eight of the rankings is essential if Bangladesh wish to qualify for the 2017 Champions Trophy and also automatic qualification into the next World Cup in 2019.

Bangladesh have a nearly settled and balanced side heading into the next four years, and expectations will be even higher come England 2019.

[Ace of BD]

We need to win all 9 matches to get our rating above Windies and qualify for Champions Trophy. Otherwise, not qualifying. Just did some calculation. So the realistic goal is to be 8th by 2017 cutoff date. In 2015, not looking possible.

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by Ace of BD
We need to win all 9 matches to get our rating above Windies and qualify for Champions Trophy. Otherwise, not qualifying. Just did some calculation. So the realistic goal is to be 8th by 2017 cutoff date. In 2015, not looking possible.

There is a differnce of 16 points, so if WI drop 8 and we gain 8 we're even. 3 wins against top sides will probably get us those 8 points. Conversely if WI lose 5-6 games they lose 8 points. Doable.

[Tigers_eye]

Front page please.

[Roni_uk]

good stuff Al Furqaan bhai

[zman]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Front page please.

Ditto...

[Zunaid]

Now published as a front page article:

Review: Bangladesh in Cricket World Cup 2015
Asaad Wahid

Bangladesh had a successful CWC2015 reaching Quarter Final for the first time. Assad Wahid follows up his CWC preview analysis with this review of individual performance in this World Cup.

Read article »