WC team preview: Bangladesh don't inspire much confidence

Led by the experienced Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh would be hoping to beat less fancied Afghanistan and Scotland but they will have to beat at least one of the four formidable opponents in their pool co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England to secure a place in the knockouts.

Their teams shocked Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 1999 and triumphed over India and South Africa in 2007 but their successes have been sporadic. With players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Tamim Iqbal, the team is capable of a few upsets. However, with the talent at their disposal, Bangladesh do not inspire much confidence of being able to close out matches in a telling fashion. They have being plagued by inconsistency and have crumbled under pressure

Group: Pool A

Captain: Mashrafe Mortaza

Strengths

Bangladesh draw from the number of wily left-arm spinners in their ranks. Shakib Al Hasan, playing his third World Cup, will combine with the energetic Taijul Islam and Arafat Sunny. On pitches offering some bounce, these bowlers could be difficult to score off. Taijul, 23, has come up with some stand-out performances.

Weaknesses

Batting has been Bangladesh's Achilles' Heel for far too long. The top order has often let the team down, letting flair get the better of temperament. Bangladesh lost 12 of their 13 ODIs, including a shocking loss to Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, before a 5-0 win over hapless Zimbabwe improved the stats.

X-factor

Taijul Islam has been Bangladesh's biggest gain in a year dotted by defeats and bans on Shakib and Sohag Gazi for different reasons. He stole the show by becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler to take eight wickets in a Test innings. He also became the only bowler in ODI history to claim a hat-trick on debut.

Dark horse

The 23-year-old Sabbir Rahman may have to fight for his place with experienced Nasir Hossain but his utility to the side is undeniable. He hits the cricket ball hard, brings variety to the teams bowling with his legspin and is a live-wire on the field. Crickets biggest platform could well mark his arrival.

ODI form guide (last six months)

vs Zimbabwe: Won 5-0 (Home)

vs West Indies: Lost 3-0 (Away)

What they did in the 2011 World Cup

It was a watershed year in Bangladesh's cricketing history as they co-hosted the World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. The teams fortune swung from an extreme to the other. They lost to India in the opening game but defeated Ireland. They were bowled out for 58 by West Indies and suffered a nine-wicket loss. Hurt and anguished, fans expressed their dismay by pelting stones on the team bus. The then coach Jamie Siddons calmed down matters with a passionate appeal to the fans. The Shakib-led team rallied to shock England by two wickets. They followed it up with a win against the Netherlands before a 206-run defeat against South Africa ended their stay in the tournament.

Squad

Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Arafat Sunny and Taijul Islam.

Fixtures:

February 18: vs Afghanistan, Manuka Oval, Canberra

February 21: vs Australia, Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane

February 26: vs Sri Lanka, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

March 5: vs Scotland, Saxton Oval, Nelson

March 9: vs England v, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

March 13: vs New Zealand, Seddon Park, Hamilton