Bangladesh Cricket team will encounter serious challenge in maintaining its prolific forms and creating consistency of success in 2016. It won majority of the matches in 2015 in limited version of the game.

It started showing steady progress in test cricket also. It is almost unimaginable to sustain such form over longer period unless Bangladesh can develop domestic cricket infrastructure and professional cricket administration like Australia.

But whatever little Bangladesh has quality young new talents are emerging. Bangladesh Cricket has reached a level from where further improvement really requires professional management of knowledgeable, honest and committed cricket administration.

In 2016 Bangladesh will be playing some very important limited over tournaments the results of which will have far reaching impacts on long term cricket development. Bangladesh will be among the favorites for Asia Cup to be played in T20 format for the first time. It has to qualify first for T20 ICC World Cup and then play in super ten.

In a bit to prepare the team Bangladesh will play four T20 matches against its sparring partner Zimbabwe from January 15 at Khlulna. BCB has already announced 14 members squad for the first two matches. The recent successes has given such confidence to team management that they have considered this series an opportunity to try some fringe players to work out the best combination before major tournaments .

Zimbabwe in recent times lost almost all matches against Bangladesh excepting one T20 match in last visit .It just lost ODI series against Afghanistan in UAE. But in shorter version cricket especially in T20 any international team cannot be taken lightly. Bangladesh does not also have very impressive T20 record .As such too much of experimentation cannot be suggested.

Explosive opener Tamim Iqbal was in the form of his life in all the domestic series in 2015 and BPL. He is automatic choice for opening the innings .He is an impact player and in T20 his form and fitness will drive Bangladesh from the top. Imrul Kayes his long term trusted partner is also in prolific form. But it will be suggested to open with emerging talent Soumya Sarkar for his natural aggressive stroke play to push opponents on the back foot early on. True Soumya could not match his prolific form in some series at home and abroad.

But his class will take him across poor form. Tamim and Soumya playing at their fluent best will give ideal start .Imrul can play at number three. If there is a good opening stand would suggest using Shabbir at number three or four to further take the match away from the opponent. Otherwise Mahmudullah, Shakib, Mushfiqur, Shabbir and Nurul Hasan (would be debutant) will make very ideal middle order batting nucleus.

All are exceptionally gifted batsmen and can prove pain in the neck for Zimbabwe. Nurul Hasan is rated a very talented batsman and very promising wicket keeper. He has been preferred in the series over Liton .Now it is an opportunity for Sohan to prove his talent. Mahmudullah and Mushfique are two exceptionally talented silent killer batsmen who can be relied upon under all circumstances. Shakib and Shabbir are expected to play blinders. Do not count of Mashrafee. He is good enough to blast quick-fire 20-30 runs when required.

We do not think Zimbabwe can cause any panic in Bangladesh batting .At least in the first match Shubhagato will not find space. We would suggest playing four seamers in the first match to test the combination of Mustafiz – Al Amin – Abu Haidar with Mashrafee. Captain Mashrafee is a great position to test whether he with Mustafiz or Abu Haidar would be better option with the new ball. Al Amin is a steady bowler and great at the dead. Shakib can bowl at the top and in the middle overs. Abu Haidar is a debutant .He will have nerves.

If he clicks that will give Bangladesh winning combination .The first match will be the right occasion for that experiment. Shubhagato and Arafat Sunny can have their opportunity in remaining matches. I would also suggest giving one match to Nasir and Taskin in the series to keep their confidence going
 Arafat Sunny is a proven option. No experiment is required with him. Let us see how four pacer attack works in the very first match.Shkaib will lead the spin attack .Mahamudullah is good enough for tight spell and breaking partnership. Shabbir and Soumya can also fill in if required.

One cannot think any limited over Bangladesh team without Mashrafee at this moment as long as he stands on his feet. But if Bangladesh wins first two matches Mashrafee must take well deserved rest for preparing better for Asia Cup. By that time bowling combination will be worked out. There are plenty of options there.

Team for First T20 against Zimbabwe should be Tamim Iqbal , Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah Riad, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shabbir Rahman, Nurul Hasan, Mashrafee Bin Murtaza, Abu Haidar, Al Amin Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman.

Eventually Taskin, Nasir and Arafat Sunny will definitely be part of the squad for major tournament any way.

BDST: 1252 HRS, JAN 11, 2015
AKA