Tigers return to action

The wait is over. The Tigers will finally return to their favoured format of the game when they meet Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

The day-night affair, which kicks off at 2.30pm local time, will see the Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led side return to international cricket after an extended break, especially in the one-day format where they will be playing their first game since a match at home against Zimbabwe in November 2015.

The cricket-crazy nation will once again be looking to have some relief from their everyday struggles through the entertainment of cricket. The expectation is that the Tigers will continue their remarkable run in the One-Day Internationals and pick up where they left off last year. Bangladesh unfortunately had a long break after claiming series wins over Pakistan, India, South Africa and Zimbabwe to follow-up their historic success in the 2015 World Cup in Australia-New Zealand.

Playing aggressive cricket was the team's motto during their five consecutive series wins and the team think-tank, backed by Mashrafe, made it clear that they would continue to follow that mantra.

However, the biggest challenge will be for them to get back into their rhythm as quickly as possible to make a winning start to their journey this year in ODI cricket.

Bangladesh are well-prepared for the series though it was planned in a rush, as training camps started two months ago in order to get them ready for next month's England series. Fitness-wise the home team are in good shape and they also played some practice matches besides undergoing various skill-based training sessions under the guidance of shrewd tactician Chandika Hathurusingha, who is respected for his well-measured planning.

The team as well as the fans will definitely miss the bowling of pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman, who was ruled out of action due to a shoulder operation, but they will be delighted to have Taskin Ahmed back in the team to bolster their already-exuberant pace attack.

Another issue Bangladesh has faced is the problem with their number three batting position, so it will be interesting to see whether the team management comes up with any new plans to solve it. Imrul Kayes has a chance but Sabbir Rahman also showed in T20 cricket that he can bat at this position and possesses the ability to build the innings before going for big shots.

Another question is whether Mosaddek Hossain will make his debut. He is part of the plan and if he makes the cut, then perhaps Nasir Hossain may sit out again. However, if there is rain like there was in the shortened practice match on Friday morning, the entire strategy of the team may change.

The team management hinted during the press conference at pacer Shafiul Islam's chances of making the team and in that case Rubel Hossain will sit out.

The Tigers lost their only ODI game against Afghanistan in the 2014 Asia Cup at Fatullah, so revenge may be on their minds, but the Tigers have a chance to move to from number seven to six in the ODI rankings if they win the Afghanistan series 3-0 and then win the series against England, but these issues were far from the Tigers' minds; rather their only wish is to execute their plans in the middle.