Team preview: Bangladesh

Long considered among the lesser teams in women’s cricket globally, Bangladesh have come of age in the past 12 months.

They shocked everyone by winning the 2018 Asia Cup earlier this year, beating India twice in the process, marched unbeaten through the qualifiers, and have had a host of other impressive performances – notably a dismantling of Pakistan for 94 in a recent ODI.

There have been their fair share of lows among the highs, enough to suggest that a first appearance in the knockouts may be beyond them this time. That demolition of Pakistan came off the back of three consecutive T20I losses while they were beaten in eight consecutive ODIs and T20Is on their tour of South Africa earlier in the year, a tour which included them being bowled out for less than 100 on three successive occasions.

But they have the weapons in their armoury to cause an upset or two. Take them lightly at your peril.

Strengths

Bangladesh’s leg-spin pair, Rumana Ahmed and Fahima Khatun, ran rampant during the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier, claiming a combined 19 wickets from five games at an average of exactly five runs per wicket.

Even against more established opposition at the Asia Cup, they were scarcely less devastating, taking a combined 12 wickets – 10 for Rumana – at a shared economy rate of just over four.

Weaknesses

Bangladesh’s batting leaves plenty to be desired. Even as they conquered all at the Qualifiers, on the two occasions they batted first they just barely managed to score at above a run a ball. Variously this year they have been bowled out for 30 & 77 by Pakistan and 63 by Sri Lanka in T20Is and 89, 71, and 76 in successive ODIs by South Africa.

There has been some light amongst the gloom. They chased down 142 against the might of India during the Asia Cup, and registered their highest T20I score of 151/4 against Ireland in Dublin in July, though they ended up losing that game. With run rates rising all the time, Bangladesh may need to record a new high just to challenge some of the teams they’ll come up against.

History at the Women’s World T20

Bangladesh have appeared in the tournaments two most recent editions, but are yet to make it out of the group stage. In 2014 they beat Sri Lanka in the group stage and Ireland in the ninth-place play-off, but in 2016 they were beaten in all four games.

Recent form

L L L W W W W W L W (Most recent first)

Up until Pakistan’s visit, Bangladesh’s recent form was imperious – 12 wins in 13 games, including an Asia Cup triumph, a series win in Ireland, and an unbeaten run through the Qualifiers. But that stretch is bookended by those three defeats, and four losses to South Africa and Sri Lanka earlier in the year, indicating a side who blow hot and cold in the extreme.

Fixtures

10 November: v Windies, Guyana
12 November: v England, St. Lucia
14 November: v Sri Lanka, St. Lucia
19 November: v South Africa, St. Lucia

Squad

Salma Khatun (C), Rumana Ahmed (VC), Ayasha Rahman, Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Nigar Sultana Joty (WK), Khadiza-Tul Kubra, Lata Mondol, Nahida Akter, Panna Ghosh, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Sanjida Islam, Shamima Sultana (WK), Sharmin Supta, Ritu Moni