WWT20 TEAM GUIDES: Bangladesh, the unknown quantity capable of springing a surprise

As a relatively unknown team in the competition, Bangladesh will want to prove to their competitors and fans of women’s cricket that they deserve to have their spot in the competition

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Bangladesh booked their place at the World Cup through the ICC Women’s Qualifier.

As a relatively unknown team in the competition, Bangladesh will want to prove to their competitors and fans of women’s cricket that they deserve to have their spot in the competition.

Form

Since their qualification for this year’s T20 World Cup, results have been mixed. Their confidence will have taken a knock following a heavy 3-0 defeat to Pakistan in a rain-affected home series in October, where their batting lacked consistency and was their downfall.

They were bowled out for just 30 in the second match and scored 81 and 77 in their 20 overs in the third and fourth. However, prior to that meek display, Bangladesh performed outstandingly in the Asia Cup and beat India in a closely fought final.

They travelled to the tournament more in hope than expectation after losing 5-0 to South Africa but they won five out of six matches.

This success was as impressive as it was unexpected, with very few, including the team, coaches or board directors anticipating such success. Bangladesh are rated No.9 in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings.

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Salma Khatun is Bangladesh's captain

Key players

Salma Khatun and Ayasha Rahman

Captain Khatun is a 28-year-old allrounder who made her T20I debut in 2012 and has scored 468 runs and taken 44 wickets in her career so far, with a best bowling performance of 4-6.

Rahman is the rising star of the batting line-up. She contributed a 42-ball 46 in the final of the World Cup Qualifier against Ireland in which she hit five fours and two sixes. She was the team’s leading scorer in the tournament.

Rahman was named as a rising star in the Bangladesh squad by the ICC after the tournament and will be one to watch at the World Cup.

WORLD T20 HUB

Strengths

A key strength of the Bangladesh women’s team is their spin line-up.

Khadija Tul Kubra, a 23-year-old off-break bowler, has taken 33 wickets at an average of 18.48 in 36 T20I matches.

Legspinner Fahima Khatun is one of only eight players to claim a hat-trick in women’s T20 international cricket. She achieved this in the T20 World Cup qualifier against the UAE.

Weaknesses

Without a doubt, their lack of experience. Most of the other teams in the competition have prior knowledge of high-pressure tournament situations and as such will be better equipped to overcome challenges in the competition.

Another weakness is the team’s ability to score sizeable totals to give their bowling unit a chance to defend.

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Ayasha Rahman

Chances of winning

Bangladesh is a team full of potential and rising stars on the international stage. However, they are in a tough group and will face the West Indies, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

All four of their competitors have had a wealth of experience in major competitions which will play to their advantage. More than anything this competition serves as an exaggerated learning curve for Bangladesh as they compete against the world’s best. It is unlikely they will make it past the group stages.

Prediction: Group stages 

Bet you didn’t know

Khadija Tul Kubra took a Bangladesh record of 6-20 in a recent ODI against Pakistan.

Fixture list (all UK time): West Indies (Nov 10, midnight), England (Nov 12, 8pm), Sri Lanka (Nov 14, 8pm), South Africa (Nov 19, midnight)

WOMEN'S WORLD T20 SQUADS

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