Strategists who will call the shots in World Cup 2019

Kolkata, May 18 - When all the 10 participating teams put themselves on the shop window for the World Cup in England and Wales starting May 30, there will be members in each side who will not only b

Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

One of the world's best and New Zealand's No. 1 batsman, Kane Williamson is the leader and strategist of a side which has experience but not as much exposure as their 28-year old skipper. The Kiwis were runners-up in 2015, and Williamson will be hungry to prove the doubters wrong that Kiwis are just valiant losers after exiting in the semifinals of the World Cup on six occasion.

Jason Holder (West Indies)

The West Indies are considered the dark horse in this year's World Cup and Jason Holder will be the captain of the ship which has many big names, who are wily characters too. 

Chris Gayle, 39, will be playing his fifth World Cup while Andre Russell will also be making a comeback to the team. While they are both match-winners in their own right, all has not been well between them and the West Indies cricket board as they refused to represent their country on several occasions. Holder will have to ensure that the team gets the best out of them, both as players as well as leaders.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka are considered one of the weakest teams in the competition and they have not done this image any good by dropping established stars like Dinesh Chandimal from the World Cup party. This makes veteran of many a battle Lasith Malinga a natural leader of the pack.

Malinga helped Mumbai Indians win their record fourth title recently and despite Sri Lanka naming Dimuth Karunaratne as captain who last played an ODI in 2015, 35-year old Malinga will be expected to play a vital role in plotting the team's journey.

Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh courted controversy recently when Shakib Al Hasan was not part of their team photo before they left for England. One of the team's main weapons, Shakib will form part of the leadership group along with Mashrafe Mortaza who will also have to ensure the likes of uncapped fast bowler Abu Jayed and recalled Mosaddek Hossain don't get affected by unnecessary controversies during the tournament as they look to stage upsets. 

Mashrafe has been around for a long time and his passion is second to none, which makes him the undisputed leader of this pack.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

The promising Afghanistan side will look to Rashid Khan, their most recognisable player and one of the best spinners in the world, to deliver the goods and inspire the team to pull off upsets. 

Rashid expressed his disappointment when Asghar Afghan was removed from captaincy two months before the World Cup, but he will have to put all that behind and work closely with new skipper Gulbadin Naib to chart the team's path.

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IANS