Bangladesh’s home series against Zimbabwe will be the start of the former’s road-map to the 2019 World Cup.
The Tigers ahead of the world event in May next year will play four series, giving them enough opportunities to experiment, and bring out their best combination.
Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza said as a skipper he doesn’t need to think of the core of the side, but the remaining parts.
The Bangladesh team are based on the five pillars in the shape of Mashrafe, Shakib al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah and the veteran right-arm pacer hinted that the combination will be formed keeping the core right.
The three-match ODI series will be significant for the Tigers in that they will be missing two key members Shakib and Tamim due to injuries.
Host @BCBtigers will face @ZimCricketv in the first of three ODIs in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Sunday. The match starts at 2:30pm local time.https://t.co/PCmoboSkiN#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #ZIMBABWE #ZC
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 20, 2018
Right-arm pacer Rubel Hossain is suffering from fever and is a doubt for the first ODI, to take place Sunday at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The important duo missing from the series enabled the selection system to try out a few players who were previously under the radar.
“There are a few players about whom you do not have to think much - Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiq and Mahmudullah. At the same time, there is also Mustafizur (Rahman) and Liton (Das) who are doing well. We have shortage of backup players who can perform at international level. The domestic circuit is improving and the players are working hard preparing themselves, which gives us hope to have quality backup for the national team,” said Mashrafe to the media in Mirpur Saturday.
“There are a few positions which we are looking to fill though, say Saifuddin and Fazle Rabbi. Someone from the core might get injured and we will need to fill the position. It is not possible to prepare an exact replacement in this short time but we need to look into options. So the combination that we have for the Zimbabwe series is the best possible. You cannot lose an international series, but at the same time we also need to look at the few players who we have in mind,” the 35-year old added.
Bangladesh perhaps tried the biggest of tricks with the combination in the Asia Cup in the UAE.
Snaps of Bangladesh team with the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2018 Trophy at SBNCS today on its first day of Trophy tour in Bangladesh.#ICC #BCB #Tigers pic.twitter.com/WvLxteS2Ri
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) October 17, 2018
Injuries had rattled the Tigers’ dressing room but with some jaw dropping gambles, the side stormed into the final of the six-nation tournament.
Going into the Zimbabwe series following the extreme challenges in the Asia Cup, Mashrafe has only one concern - his side cannot lose to a lower-ranked opponent.
“The way we played without them (Shakib and Tamim) you get to face heavy criticism if you do not perform in a series like this (against Zimbabwe). This is the only thing that puts pressure on you. It is not that we cannot lose or have not ever lost against Zimbabwe. It is still an international series where a century or a five-wicket haul will get registered as an international achievement,” said Mashrafe.
“It is important for the players to boost themselves. As far as I am concerned, for me this series is equally important. We have four series to prepare ourselves ahead of the World Cup, and this is one of the series. It is good for us that they have sent their best possible team,” said the veteran right-arm pacer.
