2nd biggest cricket tournament after the World Cup is starting in just a few days. Interesting tournament.
Pakistan are the new #1 ODI side...this means anything less than a final will be a failure. Will be interesting to see how they go about their business.
India are always favorites, and with the return of Bumrah, Iyer, and others they are at full strength for the first time in a loooong time.
Bangladesh are missing a couple key players (Tamim and Ebadot) but won't worry unless they miss the World Cup as well. The Final is their target.
Afghanistan are always threatening and will use this tournament to work out the right combinations to use. Batting is far improved now.
Sri Lanka are also missing a couple of stalwarts but even with them, its hard to see them push for a top 2 finish.
Regardless, there are a lot of exciting players on all 5 squads and it will be intresting to see how the WC tune up goes.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Bangladesh have stagnated in ODIs in the last year or so. It was just two years ago that they beat a full strength South Africa side in SA, but since then they have lost to both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. Obviously its just one game in the Asia Cup, and we can still turn it around with a series vs New Zealand upcoming before the World Cup. However, the past 12 months results cannot be ignored. Sri Lanka have a pedigree and may be an improved side...but Bangladesh need to get stability at the top of the order. And that is where the root of the problem lies IMO.
Our top order is weak. Tamim Iqbal has been injured more often than not lately, and even when he's played he's been in poor form. He's only crossed 50 once in the last 11 innings - dating back 13 months. Furthermore, his last hundred was more than 2 years ago! Liton Das has been in great form in Tests, but his ODI form has yet to catch up. His career average drops from 34 to 26 when you only include games vs top 10 opposition. Shanto has been very stable at #3, but its only been 6 months and the biggest test will be the Asia Cup and WC tournaments.
The middle order is strong and multi-dimensional, but needs a good platform especially on trickier surfaces. Shakib, Towhid, and Mushfiq can all keep the score ticking along but also graft an innings as necessary.
Lower order is inconsistent, but with Mehidy Miraz, there is real potential to bat deep. The problem is that despite some improvements, all of Taskin, Fizz, Shoriful, Hasan, and Ebadot are genuine #11s with the willow. Taskin is perhaps the only one who can say he's a 10. Its imperative that they can add 10-15 runs at better than a run a ball in white ball cricket.
I think the bowling actually sorts itself out. The only glaring weakness is the need for a wrist spinner (alas!), but the finger spinners are solid in Shakib and Miraz, and the seam bowling attack has both pace, and the ability to swing the ball in helpful conditions.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
"Since the start of 2022, Bangladesh pacers' collective bowling average (23.63) in the first ten overs is only behind Australia (23.06) among Full Member teams."
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
2 quick wickets and AFG are right back in this. BD needs to keep it simple and just tick singles and twos. 300 is a must on this flat track and with a shaky Afghan middle order.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Great win. The head to head between BD and AFG is actually much closer than one might imagine 8-6 to Bangladesh coming into this game. We’re 3-0 vs then in ICC events however, and both teams open the WC against each other in just 4 short weeks.
Bangladesh qualify for the super 4 outright here. Would be hilarious is SL get knocked out. Could happen they lost to Afghanistan a few months ago and the Afghan batting is slowly making progress.
Extra pleased that my boy Shanto is finally living up to his potential. One of the best batters going around at the moment IMO.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Great win. The head to head between BD and AFG is actually much closer than one might imagine 8-6 to Bangladesh coming into this game. We’re 3-0 vs then in ICC events however, and both teams open the WC against each other in just 4 short weeks.
Bangladesh qualify for the super 4 outright here. Would be hilarious is SL get knocked out. Could happen they lost to Afghanistan a few months ago and the Afghan batting is slowly making progress.
Extra pleased that my boy Shanto is finally living up to his potential. One of the best batters going around at the moment IMO.
As long as we beat you guys in the WC, and 2nd round of AC, that is what matters more. I still believe we lost to you guys in a fluke. We're a much better team than 160 all out.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
As long as we beat you guys in the WC, and 2nd round of AC, that is what matters more. I still believe we lost to you guys in a fluke. We're a much better team than 160 all out.
Yeah hundred percent. Just a mental block against us.