Tigers out to live up to expectation in Champions Trophy

DHAKA, Feb 18, 2025 (BSS)—Bangladesh gears up to materialize a bold goal 
that they set for the Champions Trophy.

"We are going to the Champions Trophy to become champions,” skipper 
Najmul Hossain Shanto made this statement ahead of leaving the country for 
the tournament, which starts tomorrow (Wednesday) in Pakistan and UAE. 

Bangladesh was the semi-finalist of the last tournament but they lost to India 
by nine wickets, which ruined their hopes to make the final. Still it remains 
Bangladesh’s best result in any ICC tournament.

While Shanto said the whole team had the belief that they have the ability to 
lift the trophy, the state suggested Bangladesh’s performance in ODI format is 
absolutely dismal since the 2023 World Cup. 

They went to 2023 World Cup in India with high hopes but crashed out of the 
tournament at early stage. Even though the entire tournament was 
disappointing for them, they found some consolation after edging out Sri 
Lanka, a victory that secured their spot in the Champions Trophy. 

The Tigers will begin the mission by taking on mighty India on Thursday at 
Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They will thereafter travel to Rawalpindi 
to face off New Zealand and hosts Pakistan on February 24 and 27 
respectively.

All three opponents of their Group A are tough nuts to break. So their task 
would not be easy by any stretch.

Almost every legendary cricketers wrote off Bangladesh’s chance in the 
tournament, instead they rated Afghanistan higher than the Tigers.

Legendary Australian captain Rickey Ponting first raised the issue, saying that 
the Tigers are short of quality to compete against those tough teams in this cut-
throat competition. 

"I think they are to struggle, to be honest. I just don't think that the quality is 
there,” Ponting said while speaking to the ICC.

“When you match up that team against the lot -- pretty much every other side 
in the Champions Trophy -- it seems that they lack that little bit of quality now.”

When asked about Ponting’s statement, Shanto looked unfazed as he replied 
with one sentence.. “I have no comment.”

Bangladesh have played 12 matches since the 2023 World Cup and won only 
four. Apart from their 2-1 win over Sri Lanka at home, the Tigers lost their 
other three bilateral series. Back in December 2024, Bangladesh lost 0-3 on 
their tour of the West Indies, which was their last ODI fixture.

Bangladesh will be without Liton Das, who lost his place in the ODI after 
managing only six runs from five games at an average of 1.20. 

In absence of Liton, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Soumya Sarkar will be the first 
choice openers with Parvez Hossain Emon as back up.

But experts believe Bangladesh need their middle orders, which included 
captain Shanto and two veterans Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim, to 
fire if they want to stun the strong opponents. 

The 39-year old Mahmudullah has the knack to play big knock in ICC events. 
And if he can live up to his reputation as an ICC event specialist, Bangladesh will 
be real giants, Shanto pointed out. 

Mahmudullah, however, has been in stupendous form with scores of 98, 50 
not out, 62 and 84 not out in his last four outings against West Indies. And as 
always, Musfiqur Rahim’s performance will be key in giving the middle order 
some solidity.

But Bangladesh have a bowling attack to envy. They are packed with some 
spinners who can be handy in Dubai’s slow pitch. Bangladesh’s spin trio Nasum 
Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain time and again proved that 
how effective they are in slow track. 

Miraz in fact is the X factor that Bangladesh are seeking. He is one of the two 
batters with an ODI hundred while batting at No.8 or below. 

The pace attack that included Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana and Tanzim Hasan 
Sakib will give Bangladesh a rare variation. Amongst the trio, Bangladesh will 
get pace, bounce, swing and everything the pacers can offer. They have also 
Mustafizur Rahman, who still is world class on slow pitch. 

Despite having all the ingredients to bamboozle the opponents, Bangladesh’s 
success in ODI format dried up. 
But Shanto has the solution..”We need to play as a unit. If we can play as a 
team, we can beat any opponents on any day.”

Bangladesh however would go into the tournament on the back of seven-
wicket defeat to Pakistan Shaheens in the lone practice game but result of 
practice match is historically mattered little.
 
Bangladesh squad: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan 
Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, 
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, 
Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.