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.

Impact of Bangladesh Middle Order in the WT20 2016, India

Bangladesh is a team that relies heavily on its middle order to bail itself out of tight situations. As Tamim Iqbal fights with his form issues and Soumya Sarkar yet to hit his straps on a consistent basis, Bangladesh look to its experienced and versatile middle order of Shakib, Sabbir, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur to score heavily in all conditions and lift the team.

Shakib Al Hasan

He is without an iota of doubt the best cricketer that Bangladesh have ever produced. He can bat, bowl and is an excellent fielder as well. The fact that he has the big match temperament and can back it up with his skills is something that the Bangladesh team can rely on.

He can pace his innings very well and he can adjust to any type of surface. He has nearly all the shots in the book and knows exactly when to hit out or when to bide his time. His cover drives are a joy to watch and he is a very dangerous finisher for the men in Green.

His bowling skills are right up there with his batting and he has the variations to fox any batsman with his slow left arm spin. He will be very crucial in the middle overs on the Indian tracks as they are bound to offer assistance to spin bowlers.

The impact that Shakib has had over the years for Bangladesh cannot be described in a few words. He is their main strike weapon, their X-Factor, their ace up the sleeve!

Impact Rating – 8.5/10

Sabbir Rahman

It is still early days in this fledgling career but Sabbir has already made waves with his big hitting and temperamental skills. He has the ability to clear the ropes without much fuss and generally plays straight which is his biggest strength.

He is also in red hot form right now having scored 2 40’s and a 50 in consecutive T20 games against Zimbabwe. He is also a very handy spin bowler and has the knack of picking up wickets when required. The slow Indian tracks will surely support him and he can expect to be called upon more regularly by his captain in the WT20.

Though he has yet to cement his place in this team, he has all the makings of a very good player. I feel that he must bat at number 4 for Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup in between Shakib and Mahmudullah/ Mushfiqur and he must be given the license to go big right from ball one.

Impact Rating – 7/10

Bangladesh definitely have the right ingredients in their middle order to make a meaningful impact and I will be keeping a very keen eye on this young and upcoming, ever improving Bangladeshi side. I feel that they will surely ruffle some feathers in the WT20 and send some big teams home early.

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.