Tigers’ set-up taking shape ahead of World Cup
Bangladesh came into the Ireland series with some specific strategical shifts and plans of tinkering ahead of the World Cup to find the best set of players ahead of the showpiece event.
Since Chandika Hathurusingha came, plans are being put in motion with the Tigers put to test against England in the recent ODI series where wickets did not have the traditional outlook of a slow and low nature. The wickets helped give an impression of the batting depth required, and coming into the Ireland ODIs, there has been good wickets to further observe what will be required going forward.
Following the England series, changes came in the side and the need for acceleration gathered steam in the Ireland ODIs as Bangladesh put up their highest scores in both ODIs. Mahmudullah Riyad was rested while Zakir Hasan fell out of the series due to injury.
Yasir Ali and Towhid Hridoy came into the side as well to give the impression that the middle-order was where Bangladesh could find new avenues for evolution.
The balance of the side going forward has found some solidity following the two ODIs with only Mehedi Hasan Miraz unable to play the two matches due to injury. Hridoy has already showcased the ability to accelerate and keep the score moving in singles and doubles at number four while Mushfiqur Rahim has found a new position in the order at six, where he has taken his game to new levels with aggressive intent. That intent had been part and parcel to Shakib Al Hasan already.
Yasir has played at number seven in both ODIs since return while Afif Hossain had to sit out and was eventually excluded from the squad for the third match. The roles have been decided and management are only looking for players that may be able to fulfil such roles. Talking about a possibility on Afif's promotion up the batting order, Hathurusingha did not appear too impressed following scores of 15,23 and 9 in the England ODIs.
"Afif didn't have the best series that he wished for, and we want to see. He has to get back to his best form that he has shown before," the Sri Lankan had said.
The drop was likely.
"His chances of being in the eleven are slim," selector Habibul Bashar told The Daily Star yesterday as reason for Afif's exclusion from the side.
The key motif has been the range of shots which will be needed to accelerate in the middle-overs. By the looks of the intent, there is ideally no defensive role in the batting order, which explains Afif and Mahmudullah's current state. Players will have to fulfil roles according to match scenario and targeting 300-plus scores will be the norm.
"Everyone is batting with intent in the middle overs. It wasn't like everyone was trying to hit big sixes but what happened was that we can hit ones and twos and fours. Those that batted had very good intent," Liton Das said after the second ODI which was washed out.
Liton also stated that they were playing cautiously at the top to make room for cameo knocks at the middle and death overs. An attacking philosophy is gaining ground where Miraz would also be in the mix when conditions allow. For now, Yasir, Afif and possibly Mahmudullah have chance to make a case in that slot alongside an all-rounder. Performance will be important but intent will be key.
Comments