The Fizz, Tamim, Shakib: 5 Bangladesh Stars to Watch Against India
Here’s a look at five Bangladesh players that could steal the game away from India.
advertisement
With a hop, skip and jump – Bangladesh made it to their first-ever semi-final in an ICC event after they beat New Zealand by 5 wickets on Friday and Australia lost to England by 40 runs (D/L method) on Saturday.
Since, Bangladesh’s game against Australia was washed out, in total, the Tigers clinched three points in the group stage and finished second in the Group A table.
Bangladesh have moved to the knockout stage in a way, similar to the 2015 World Cup. Their game against Australia was abandoned due to rain and while they beat all the minnows in their group, they sealed a place in the quarters after beating England.
They played India in the quarters and yet again the Men in Blue will be awaiting Bangladesh’s challenge in the semi-finals in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Before the big game, here’s a look at five Bangladesh players that could steal the game away from India.
1. Tamim Iqbal
Tamim Iqbal has been in tremendous form in this tournament so far. The 28-year-old started with a brilliant innings of 128 runs from 142 balls against England and then followed that up with a score of 95 against Australia.
But in the match against New Zealand, the opening batsman was trapped LBW by Tim Southee in the second ball of the innings for a duck.
Iqbal will be certainly raring to get Bangladesh off to a great start in the match against India.
2. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan is the biggest star in the Bangladesh line-up. He is the best all-rounder in the ICC ODI and T20 rankings!
The 30-year-old battled poor form in the team’s first two matches of the tournament, but came into his own when it mattered the most.
Bangladesh were on the cusp of being knocked out of the tournament when Shakib walked into bat at 12/3 against New Zealand.
The Tigers lost another wicket at 33, while chasing a target of 266 runs.
Then, Shakib and Mohammad Mahmudullah got together and took their team to 257/5. By then Shakib had clinched a century and gone back to the pavilion, Bangladesh needed only 9 runs to win.
3. Mohammad Mahmudullah
Mahmudullah didn’t get a lot of time in the middle of the match against England and got out for just 8 runs against Australia.
While moving into the New Zealand game, the 31-year-old would have certainly been low on confidence.
But, even then, when he walked out to bat at 33/4 against New Zealand, the right-hand batsman showed incredible composure and helped his team win the match with an unbeaten knock of 102 runs from 107 balls.
4. Mosaddek Hossain
The big win against New Zealand was possible not only because of Shakib and Mahmudullah, but Mosaddek Hossain also played a huge role in Bangladesh’s victory.
The off-break bowler, who is predominantly a batsman, dismantled the New Zealand middle order in the space of three overs.
New Zealand were cruising towards a huge total at 203/4 in 40 overs.
Then, Hossain dismissed Neil Broom and Corey Anderson within two deliveries. In the last ball of the 46th over, James Neesham was dismissed and suddenly the Kiwis were struggling at 240/7.
5. Mustafizur ‘The Fizz’ Rahman
Mustafizur Rahman is yet to set the stage on fire and a semi-final game against India might just be the fuel that he needs.
He has been able to get only one wicket in the tournament so far, but the speedster fancies India.
Nobody can forget his debut ODI series against India in 2015, when he picked up 13 wickets in 3 matches.
He helped Bangladesh win the series 2-1 and also clinched the player of the series award.
Can he work his magic against India again?
Follow all the updates from the ICC Champions Trophy here.
(This admission season, The Quint got experts from CollegeDekho.com on board to answer all your college-related queries. Send us your questions at eduqueries@thequint.com .)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)