OPINION
Follow UsBangladesh would be eager to make their maiden appearance at the World Cup a memorable one. The Qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup 2022 had to be cancelled due to Covid and the Nigar Sultana-led side managed to secure qualification on the basis of their ICC Ranking.
Bangladesh clearly don’t have enough game-time in this format, considering they have only played 12 ODIs since the 2017 World Cup. Meanwhile, all other seven teams have played at least 33 ODIs in this time frame. However, they do have some quality players in their arsenal and could cause an upset or two in the forthcoming showpiece event.
"Playing in the Women’s World Cup is a long-awaited dream come true for all of us. We have played three T20 World Cups but have never played an ODI one, so we are very excited and very eager to perform on the biggest stage. We want to make the most of this opportunity and make it count," said Sultana.
Strengths
Bangladesh’s biggest strength is their bowling. The sample size might not be so great but Bangladesh have the best bowling average and economy rate amongst all eight participants since the last edition of the 50-over World Cup in England. In left-arm spinner Nahida Akter, offspinner Salma Khatun and legspinner Rumana Ahmed, Bangladesh have a superb spin-bowling attack, while the pace department will be taken care of by Jahanara Alam.
Nahida (3), Khatun (3.8) and Rumana (4) have also been very economical in this time period and the onus will once again be on them to make sure opponents don’t put up big totals against Bangladesh. In fact, amongst bowlers who have played at least 10 ODIs since the last World Cup, Nahida has the best economy rate and bowling average (13.2).
Weaknesses
If bowling is Bangladesh’s biggest strength, then batting is their biggest weakness. The numbers are completely opposite as they have the worst scoring rate, average and balls/wicket amongst all eight participating countries since the last World Cup. Fargana Hoque (42.75) and Rumana (30.5) are the only Bangladeshi batters averaging more than 30 but both of them operate at a strike rate of less than 60. Bangladeshi batters will have to click as a unit and make sure they put up enough runs on the board to keep their bowlers in the game.
Opportunities
Some of the big players like Khatun, Rumana, Fargana, Nahida and Sultana will have to be at their best if Bangladesh want to compete with big nations. They haven’t even played an ODI against some of the teams and this World Cup will give them the platform to prove their worth in the 50-over format. Even if they manage to get the better of a couple of teams, Bangladesh would be mighty pleased with their progress.
"We have never played against England, Australia or New Zealand in ODIs, so it will be a new experience. If we do well here, more teams will be interested in playing against us, more international cricket will come to the country and the Bangladesh Cricket Board will try to increase domestic matches as well," said Sultana.
Threats
As mentioned before, Bangladesh haven’t had enough game-time coming into this tournament and that could hurt them. Their batting is too fragile and can get exposed against all quality opponents. On top of that, they don’t have the experience of playing ODIs at such a big stage, but have featured in four T20 World Cups and would try to bring that experience to New Zealand
Squad
Nigar Sultana (c), Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, Fargana Hoque, Jahanara Alam, Shamima Sultana, Fahima Khatun, Ritu Moni, Murshida Khatun, Nahida Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Lata Mondol, Sobhana Mostary, Fariha Islam Trisna, Suraiya Azmim, Shanjida Akther Maghla.
Fixtures
March 5 – v South Africa
March 7 – v New Zealand
March 14 – v Pakistan
March 18 – v West Indies
March 22 – v India
March 25 – v Australia
March 27 – v England
