ODI World Cup 2023 Bangladesh’s strongest predicted playing XI for the tournament

Bangladesh (BAN) will be eager to do well in this ICC World Cup 2023 as they will be playing in familiar conditions. The 13^th edition of the World Cup will be solely hosted by India for the first time. The tournament begins on October 5 and the final will be played on November 19, both in Ahmedabad.

Bangladesh made their World Cup debut in 1999 and made an immediate impact by defeating Pakistan. They had a decent outing in the 2007 edition, making it into the Super 8s by defeating India in the league stage. Their best came in the 2015 World Cup, when Bangladesh qualified for knockouts for the first time.

Coming to the 2023 World Cup edition, Shakib Al Hasan will captain the Bangladesh side, and along with Mushfiqur Rahim, they will be playing their fourth World Cup. Bangladesh has banked on both experience and youth in their batting as well as bowling. With this in mind, let’s have a look at the best playing XI that Bangladesh might field.

Here is the Bangladesh’s strongest predicted playing XI for ICC World Cup 2023:

1. Litton Das

The 28-year-old Litton Das will be opening the innings for Bangladesh and his task will be to provide fierce starts to his team with his aggressive batting style. He plays the bat with finesse and is a compact batsman with good defensive technique. His ODI record makes this clear.

He has amassed 2250 runs in 77 ODIs for Bangladesh since his debut in 2015. He has five centuries to his name with the best score of 176. He averages 32.60 and has a strike rate of 87.61. He also has experience which can come in handy in giving suggestions to the captain in crunch situations.

2. Tanzid Hasan Tamim

With Tamim Iqbal out of contention for the World Cup due to injury and his disputes with the board, Bangladesh will bank on young Tanzid Hasan Tamim to fill that opening role. The youngster is highly rated by the experts and is a left-handed option at the top to partner Litton. 

Having made his ODI debut in 2020, Tanzid Hasan has played 5 ODIs, making 34 runs with a best of 16. His List-A numbers are impressive with 1505 runs in 51 matches with 3 centuries and a best of 142. He was a member of Bangladesh’s U19 World Cup-winning squad in 2020.  

3. Najmul Hossain Shanto

Considered to be the future of Bangladeshi batting, Najmul Hossain Shanto showcased great ability and class in the recent Asia Cup 2023. He made 89 against Sri Lanka and 104 against Afghanistan, following it up with 76 against New Zealand. He has been in good form and this will bode well for the Tigers in the World Cup 2023.

His record speaks for itself as he has scored 908 runs in 30 ODIs. His highest score is 117 with an average of 31 and strike-rate of almost 80. He will be used as an anchor with other batters rallying around him.

Check Here: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

4. Shakib Al Hasan (C)

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan is by far the best ODI batter and bowler from the Bangladesh side. He will be a vital cog for the Tigers in this year’s World Cup campaign due to his all-round services. His experience on Indian soil due to his IPL stints will be valuable as well.

A veteran of 240 ODIs, Shakib has 7384 runs and 308 wickets to his name. He has 9 centuries and 55 fifties at an average of 37.67 and a strike rate in the 80s. With the ball, his best bowling is 5/29 and his economy is 4.44. This is probably his final World Cup tournament and Shakib will want to finish it on a high.

5. Towhid Hridoy

Young Towhid Hridoy showcased his talent in the recent Asia Cup 2023. He scored 82 against Sri Lanka and then scored 54 against India. Bangladesh was able to register a good win over the eventual Asia Cup champions thanks to Hridoy’s contributions. In his short ODI career, he has made 518 runs in 18 matches with a best of 92 at a strike rate of 86.33. He will be fighting for a spot in the XI with Mahmudullah in the tournament.
 

6. Mushfiqur Rahim (WK)

Mushfiqur Rahim is one of Bangladesh's most experienced and long-serving cricketers. The veteran keeper-batter has played 256 ODIs, scoring 7406 runs. He has 9 centuries and 46 fifties to his name. His best score is 144 and he averages 37.03 in ODIs.

He might wear Bangladesh's colored jersey for the final time at the 2023 World Cup this year. He will be responsible for strengthening his team's middle order as a senior player because of his exceptional batting potential.

7. Mehidy Hasan Miraz

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has blossomed into a wonderful all-rounder in ODIs recently. He is valuable to his team because of his all-around talent. The talented all-rounder has proven to be a genuine match-winner with either the bat or the ball. The highlight was his batting in his first two ODIs against India last year when he hit his maiden ODI century in a tense game. 

He then hit a century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2023 while opening the innings. And since then, he has been consistent with the bat. In 82 ODIs, Mehidy has 1046 runs with 2 centuries and has picked 91 wickets with best bowling of 4/25 at an economy of 4.73. He will be a player to look out for in this tournament.

8. Mahedi Hasan

Mahedi Hasan is a 28-year-old all-rounder, who bowls right-arm off-spin and bats effectively anywhere in the batting order. In his short ODI career, Mahedi has 89 runs and 8 wickets since making his Bangladesh debut in 2021. He also excels in the field and has shown decent performances whenever he has gotten opportunities.

Check: Most Wickets in Cricket World Cup 2023

9. Shoriful Islam

The tall left-handed seamer Shoriful Islam is a talented cricketer who captured the spotlight overnight. He was a star in Bangladesh's 2020 Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2020. He has impressed in the few opportunities he has gotten so far. In 22 ODIs, he has 35 wickets with a best of 4/21 and an economy of 5.36.

10. Taskin Ahmed

Taskin Ahmed is by far the fastest Bangladeshi bowler. He bowls in high 140s consistently and has touched 150 as well, especially after returning with a remodeled bowling action. Taskin is a tall fast bowler who enters the pitch after a fluid run-up and bowls with a high-arm motion.

In 63 ODIs, Taskin has taken 90 wickets with a best of 5/28. He averages 29.24 and has an economy of 5.41. He is a true wicket-taking bowler for Bangladesh and can swing the new ball in vicious ways.

11. Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman is the premier Bangladeshi pacer known for his flexible wrist and cunningly slow balls. He has played 93 ODIs since making his debut in 2015. He has 156 wickets to his name with best bowling figures of 6/43. His economy is just 5.07, evidence of how good he is in death overs when bowlers are targetted.

Rahman has also played in the IPL for a long time and has an idea of how different venues, where the World Cup matches will be played, will behave. Considered to be one of the best white-ball bowlers currently, Mustafizur will be crucial for Bangladesh’s chances of doing well in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Check Here:  Cricket World Cup 2023 Points Table