Sydney, Feb 7 (CRICKETNMORE): It has been a long time since Bangladesh cricket team playing international cricket but they have not quite roared in the international platform. Still cricket experts think Bangladesh can emerge as a strong cricketing power in this World Cup 2015.
Bangladesh are known to script some major upsets in previous editions of the world cup but never able to emerge as a strong contender for the title.
They are currently No.9 in ICC ranking and began their Cup journey in 1999, achieving their first victory against Scotland. Their major success was a surprize 62 runs win over Pakistan.
They couldn't quite maintain the momentum in the 2003 edition but in 2007 they were able qualify for the super-eights beating India in the league round. It was their first and only time they made it past the first round.
They co-hosted the 2011 edition of the tournament along with India and register a close win over England in a thrilling match. They beat Ireland and Netherlands but it wasn't enough to secure qualification to the next round.
But their form in the build-up to the competition haven't been impressive. They won just 5 matches out of the 18 matches played.
Bangladesh are in Pool A clubbed against heavy-weights like Australia, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand along with 'minnows' Scotland and new-comers Afghanistan.
The team will be led by fast-bowler Mashrafe Mortaza, a veteran of 144 ODIs and is coached by former Sri Lankan cricketer Chandika Hathurusinghe.
The team is boosted the No.1 ranked all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan, wicket-keeper bastman Mushfiqur Rahim and opener Tamin Iqbal, all of whom have played over a hundred ODIs.
The team will be highly dependable on Hasan to fire with both bat and ball and hope to get a brisk start from Iqbal. Mominul Haque and Rahim will be the anchor man of their innings.
They have a good chance of starting the tournament brightly having received a 'kind' opening match against Afghanistan at the Manuka Oval in Canberra Feb 18. A win in the match will boost their confidence ahead of matches heavy-weight sides like Australia and Sri Lanka.
The World Cup presents Bangladesh a good chance to take that overdue leap from 'minnows' to a strong team.
Bangladesh's 15-member World Cup squad:
Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan (vice-captain), Mahmudullah Riaz, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Nasir Hossain, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Arafat Sunny.
With Inputs from agency