England are starting their ODI series against Bangladesh tomorrow in the first of three ODIs before two Test matches, writes Peter Miller.
Bangladesh are very much a rising force in world cricket - they have qualified for next year's ICC Champions Trophy ahead of the West Indies and will be taking on New Zealand at The SSE SWALEC next summer on 9 June 2017 - but their players aren’t always the best known.
Here are six players that you should be watching out for this winter.
Shakib al Hasan
It has been 10 years since Shakib al Hasan made his international debut. It is strange to think that he is still only 29-years-old. He has been the mainstay of this Bangladesh side for so long. He is the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh in ODIs and the second highest run scorer in that format. There was a time when it was only Shakib that was capable of winning games of cricket for Bangladesh, but that is no longer the case. He has loads more support from the rest of his team, but he still remains a world-class all-rounder and his slow-left-arm bowling will be a real challenge in home conditions.
Mashrafe Mortaza
The man perhaps most responsible for the renaissance of Bangladesh in ODIs is captain Mashrafe Mortaza. Since he took over leadership of the side in July 2009 Bangladesh have won 56 of the 117 matches that they have played. That is a near identical win/loss ratio to Pakistan and New Zealand and better than West Indies or Zimbabwe. The days of Bangladesh being international cricket’s also-rans are over. Mortaza is a skilful seamer who is only seven wickets behind Shakib of the leading wicket takers list, he could well go past him in this series.
Mahmudullah
Another spin bowling all-rounder, Mahmadullah has been a real point of stability in the Bangladesh middle order. His numbers aren’t that impressive, he averages 33 with the bat and 43 with the ball, but he has been there when his team have needed him the most more than once. The last time he come up against England he scored a match winning hundred at the 2015 World Cup. He then followed that up with 128 not out a better than a run a ball in the next group game against New Zealand.
This is a very different England side from the one that lost to Bangladesh in Adelaide 18-months ago, but Mahmadullah has a some very good memories against England on which to draw confidence.
Mushfiqur Rahim
A combative wicket-keeper batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim has been in fine form for Bangladesh over the last two years. In that time he has made 1036 runs at an average of 45 with two hundreds. Just as with Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur has been there for some of the more impressive rearguards but in recent times he has been involved in setting up victories for his side. In November 2015 it was Mushfiqur that supported Tamim Igbal in a match winning partnership that was the first victory in a series win against Pakistan.
Tamim Iqbal
While other members of this Bangladesh batting line up look to work the ball around, that is not Tamim’s approach. He is the leading ODI run scorer for Bangladesh, he needs just 69 in this series to pass 5000, and is also the leading century maker for his country with seven hundreds in ODIs. The approach of Tamim is very much “see ball, hit ball” and while it can be exciting it does not always lead to consistent returns. Attacking batsmen attack and this can lead to them getting out in ways that can lead to shaking of heads from those watching. But in today’s harem-scarem white ball cricket it is the approach that will lead to success for his team.
Tamim has done well against England in the past, most notably his 103 in a Test match at Lord’s, and he will be looking forward to taking on the England bowlers in home conditions.
Taskin Ahmed
With Mustafizur Rahman injured and still a long way from fitness a lot will be expected of Taskin Ahmed who is returning to the team after having remedial work on his action after he was banned for throwing. Still only 21 he returned after over a year away from ODIs with 4 for 59 against Afghanistan last month. A right arm bowler with an up right action he has the pace to give batsmen the hurry-up. It will be interesting to see if he can be as successful with his new action as he was with his old one.
England return to Cardiff next June to play New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy as well as South Africa in the third NatWest International T20 clash. Tickets for the ICC Champions Trophy go back on sale on 27th October, whilst the general sale for the South Africa game is on Monday 10 October. To secure your seats visit https://tickets.glamorgancricket.com after this date