5 reasons why Bangladesh will win the tri-nation series
Bangladesh national cricket team have improved a lot in the recent years and their performance, especially at their own backyard, is a testament to that. The Tigers have achieved a lot in the last few years. They have defeated teams like England, Sri Lanka and England in Test.
The men in Red & Green have developed more in the 50-over game. They reached the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy in 2017 and won a number of home-series since 2015. Their ODI team, led by Mashrafe, are ready to take any challenge that come in their way.
The Bangladeshi team’s first task in this year is to play in the tri-nation series that also involves Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The series will be unveiled from tomorrow with its first match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
#1 New faces eager to perform
Bangladesh ODI squad have experienced quite a big change from their regular ODI squad following Chandika Hathurusingha’s departure. Players like Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed and Litton Das – who were frequently playing in the team despite their inconsistency or failure to perform —have finally been dropped ahead of the upcoming series
Sunazamul Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abul Hasan – who have not played much ODIs – have been included in the team. Anamaul Haque has returned to the team after 3 years following his good performance in the domestic circuit. Nasir Hossain has also been named in the team after being irregular in the team for quite a long time.
With the relatively ‘new’ faces in the team, Bangladesh will surely strike for every chance to win this series. Those fresh names in the team list will also try to cement their spot in the team by grabbing the victory for the team in every way possible.
#2 Bangladesh keen to make a comeback
Bangladesh had a good time in 2017, but it could not become great as they started the year by getting whitewashed in the Test-series as they could not manage a single win in any format in their tour of New Zealand. The team also lost the single match Test series against India after that. They ended the year by getting whitewashed in all formats by the Proteas in South Africa.
The Tigers took a great revenge against New Zealand by defeating and knocking them out in the Champions Trophy. Before that they drew the series in all three formats against Sri Lanka in an away series. They also got the taste of victory in their 100th Test match during that series.
Bangladesh later made history by defeating Australia for the first time in a Test match and ended the 2-match Test series 1-1 against the Kangaroos.
Bangladesh had an unpleasant time by the end of 2017 as they got defeated in every match in their tour of South Africa. This team know how to mount a comeback and will surely look forward to making things more pleasing in the international stage by winning the upcoming tri-series.
#3 Tigers tough at home
Sri Lanka did not enjoy a good campaign in ODIs in 2017. They lost 23 of the 29 ODIs they had played last year, while Zimambwe lost 6 out of 12 ODIs. Zimbabwe experienced a shocking series loss against Afghanistan. On the other hand, Sri Lanka also had an upsetting series defeat from the Zimbabweans.
Bangladesh have won 5 of their last 6 ODI home-series. They are definitely a tough opponent to beat in their conditions. They have won ODI series against the likes of Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa. The Bangladeshi team also drew the ODI series in Sri Lanka against the hosts in 2017. Sri Lanka have not brought many changes in that squad to play in the tri-series and that will be an advantage for Bangladesh as they have to fight against a well-known opponent.
The last time Zimbabwe won a series against Bangladesh in 2013. Since then they have been whitewashed twice by the Tigers in Bangladesh.
#4 Senior cricketers in action
The senior cricketers have kept the team together for quite a while now. Players like Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiq, Mashrafe and Mahmudullah are playing in the team for more than ten years. Especially the first three have been together since there days in the U-19 team.
The senior cricketers are the icons of consistency. They remained in the team in times good or bad. They know how to turn things around and win a match from a relatively unsettled situation. For example, Bangladesh successfully chased 265 runs against New Zealand despite losing 4 wickets at 33. Both Mahmudullah and Shakib scored a century that day to show what the senior cricketers are capable of doing when the call arrives.
These players have won a good amount of matches for their team and will definitely look to present their experience and set of skills in the tri-series as well.
#5 Bangladesh players in regular cricket
Bangladeshi players have not been out of the game as their tour of South Africa was followed by domestic cricket events like NCL, BPL and BCL. All of these games took place at their homegrounds where they will take on Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in tri-series as well.
Bangladesh have better grasp of the pitches, as a result, they will have an upper hand in the tri-series. They will also get support from their home-crowd that take immense pleasure in watching Bangladesh play.
