Impact of Bangladesh Spin Bowling in the WT20 2016, India

Bangladesh has always been a team that has relied on a slew of slow bowlers to win them games or to get them out of tough situations. They have numerous bowlers who can bowl spin in the middle overs and slow the run rate down by picking up wickets at crucial junctures. Let us put on the spotlight on the spin bowlers that Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangla captain will have at his disposal to call upon.

Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib is the best player in the Bangladeshi line up, he is their X-Factor and someone around whom both their batting and bowling revolves. He is an effective left arm spinner who can either dart the ball in to stop the big hits while also having the ability to give the ball air and spin it occasionally. He reads the conditions impeccably and adapts himself to suit them. Often called upon in the most difficult times, either when two set batsmen are going hammer and tongs or at the death, he holds his own and invariably delivers the breakthrough that the captain is after.

He was in good form in the T20 series against Zimbabwe that Bangladesh played recently where he picked up 5 wickets in 4 matches. He is also representing the Karachi Kings in the ongoing PSL. The fact that he probably their best middle order batsman as well makes him the most Fantastico player in the Bangla line up.

Impact Rating – 8/10

Arafat Sunny

Arafat Sunny is also a left arm orthodox bowler who first appeared in the early 2000’s as a teenager when, probably every Bangladeshi wanted to become a left arm spin bowler. But he only made his international debut in 2014 and has had success in the ODI format for them. His T20 stats are much more sober with 64 wickets in 60 matches but his economy rate is below 7 which makes him a real asset for any team in the shortest format.

Impact Rating – 5/10

Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain and Mahmudullah

Sabbir Rahman is an occasional leg spinner who can get the desired breakthrough by luring the opposition to play an incorrect shot. He often lulls them into a false sense of insecurity before stunning them with his leg-breaks. He recently claimed 3-11 in 3 overs against Zimbabwe to win the game for them. He is also a brilliant fielder and a very good batsman who bats in the middle order.

Nasir Hossain has been recalled to the T20 side after Shuvagata Hom, who played against Zimbabwe did not fare well. Nasir is a clever off break bowler who has 38 wickets in 79 T20 matches. He is also a brilliant fielder and a capable middle order batsman with the ability to hit big.

Mahmudullah is basically a middle order batsmen who bowls occasional off breaks. Nowadays he bowls only occasionally concentrating more on his batting which has improved by leaps and bounds in the past year and a half.

Combined Impact Rating – 6/10

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.