Bangladesh’s journey in the 2023 ICC World Cup was filled with disappointment and challenges. They were the first team to be eliminated from the tournament after suffering six losses in seven games. This was a significant setback for a team that had been performing well in the ICC Super League, where they were positioned third in the points table.
Despite having two more matches against Sri Lanka and Australia, their chances in the ongoing World Cup seem like a mere formality. However, the future holds the promise of a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which provides a compelling reason for Bangladesh to keep pushing harder.
Currently placed at the bottom of the points table, Bangladesh is at risk of missing the opportunity to participate in the eight-nation 50-over format tournament. This article delves into the reasons behind their struggles in the World Cup.
- A Turbulent Start: Bangladesh’s World Cup campaign faced adversity right from the beginning. Star player Tamim Iqbal made himself unavailable for the tournament, citing disinterest in what he described as a “dirty game.” The situation worsened when Shakib al Hasan publicly pointed fingers at Tamim. The rift between these two cricketing icons, who have separate fan bases, drew attention away from the team’s performance.
Many fans and critics began blaming Shakib for Tamim’s exclusion from the World Cup, speculating that Chandika Hathurusingha might have played a role in it. This controversy created a significant distraction, affecting the team’s preparations.
- Power Play Struggles: With Tamim absent, Bangladesh’s top order faced difficulties in the power play. The team management expected explosive starts from the new opening pair of Litton Das and Tanzid Tamim. However, they struggled to capitalize early, managing only 321 runs in the powerplay across seven games. They often lost three or more wickets within the first 10 overs, which proved detrimental to their performance.
Litton Das failed to play the role of a senior partner, and the decision to adopt an aggressive approach from the start didn’t yield the expected results.
- Pacer’s Disappointment: Despite having a successful pace attack in the past, Bangladesh’s pace bowlers failed to meet expectations in the World Cup. They only managed to take 19 wickets in seven matches, with a high economy rate and average. The absence of Ebadat Hossain and Taskin Ahmed’s injury and loss of form were significant setbacks. Shoriful Islam showed some promise, but as a collective force, the pace attack lacked the threat they were expected to provide.
- Batting Order Experiments: The team management experimented with their batting order excessively, with Mehedy Hasan pushed up the order despite facing difficulties against quality pace bowling. Keeping Mahmudullah lower down the order, after he had earned a spot following a six-month absence, raised questions. The uncertainty around the batting order made the team’s batting unit unstable and led to inconsistent performances.
- Shakib’s Struggles: Shakib al Hasan, who took on the captaincy role after Tamim’s resignation, faced challenges both as a player and a leader. His lackluster performance with the bat and his reluctance to lead the side cast doubt on the decision to appoint him as captain. He returned to the team after personal sessions but failed to make a significant impact. Shakib’s leadership did not yield the expected results, and his injury during the tournament further complicated matters.
In conclusion, Bangladesh’s struggles in the 2023 ICC World Cup can be attributed to a combination of factors, including off-field controversies, power play issues, pace bowling disappointments, batting order experiments, and Shakib’s underwhelming performance as a player and leader. These challenges led to their early exit from the tournament and raised questions about the team’s future.
Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
