Bangladesh team guide

Bangladesh took the World Cup by storm earlier this year, but it is difficult to see a repeat of their success in South Africa.

Bangladesh took the World Cup by storm earlier this year, but while the unpredictability of Twenty20 cricket increases their odds of success, it is difficult to see a repeat of their April heroics in South Africa. In the Caribbean they embarrassed South Africa and India and new skipper Mohammad Ashraful believes they can upset the formbook again in the shortened version of the game and their attacking style down the order certainly lends to the format. However, they have not been tested well enough in Twenty20 cricket. Wins over Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda are not enough to go by and the one time they did come up against a big gun - Pakistan - they failed miserably. Their bowling appears weak in the absence of veteran spinner Mohammad Rafique and left-arm spin duo Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan will need step up to the plate. Ashraful has been quick to turn to his spinners in the past and should strike bowler Mashrafe Mortaza get it wrong up front, that much more pressure is placed on the spin attack to get wickets as well as pegging back the run-rate. With inspirational coach Dav Whatmore having quit after the World Cup, interim coach Shaun Williams has a tough task, leading his side against South Africa and West Indies in the space of three days.

Key Player

Syed Rasel is as close to consistent line and length the Bangladeshis are going to get. His ability to frustrate the opponent's top order with relatively cheap overs will go a long way in aiding his nation's cause.

Wildcard

In 21-year-old Mohammed Nazimuddin Bangladesh have found a star of the future. Nazimuddin smashed a 37-ball 43 against Kenya recently and then went on to put a Pakistani attack that included Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif to the sword, finishing with 81 off 50 balls.

Likely To Flop

He has endured an up and down time in international cricket and Alok Kapali is way too erratic. The selectors have handed him yet another chance, one hopes he doesn't disappoint.

What Could Have Been

Leaving out a host of stalwarts is a good step in the right direction with regards to future of Bangladeshi cricket. Hopefully the youngsters will come to the party and justify the absence of Rafique, Javed Omar and former skipper Habibul Bashar.

Squad

Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Mortaza, Alok Kapali, Abdur Razzak, Aftab Ahmed, Syed Rasel, Farhad Reza, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Nazimuddin, Nadif Chowdhury, Ziaur Rahman.

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