ICC T20 International World Cup is only a month and a half away. Most teams have almost confirmed their squad. New Zealand has already announced it. Bangladesh winning big against understrength Australian team at home has gained added confidence. It does not matter what type of wickets the matches were played. Wins are wins and wining a series 4-1 against a higher ranked team always gives confidence. Bangladesh was scheduled playing against England and New Zealand also over the next few weeks. But the tour of England has been rescheduled. New Zealand has announced an understrength squad without any player of the ICC World Cup squad. Perhaps it is their belief that playing on low, slow, gripping surface their bowlers and batsmen would not have right preparation for the ensuing world cup to be played on complete different sporting surface. There are enough reasons to accepting the KIWIs believe. The struggle of batsmen of both teams for runs in the just completed Australia Bangladesh series at SBNCS evidenced that. The five matches T20I series would be played on same surface in early September. Given the present weather condition in Bangladesh it is extremely difficult if not impossible preparing different wicket in such a short time . So it can be assumed that wicket would behave in the same manner .But the  Black Caps sent there would be much more competitive than awful Aussies . Bangladesh would definitely be the hot favorite for winning the series or even achieving Bangla wash. This being the last opportunity for testing team combination, Bangladesh must test some fringe players keeping the nucleus in tact.

Bangladesh has just started showing consistency. There must not be thoughts among cricket family that Bangladesh can keep on winning against all teams all the time. It is too early concluding that Bangladesh would not gain much playing against weakened teams. Did not Bangladesh loose matches against depleted West Indies at home? Did not they loose against Afghanistan? Bangladesh has gained winning momentum. They must strive to keep that momentum going. 

Between now and the series starts some matches can be arranged between main team and another youth team for gaining match practice. Team definitely needs a leg spinner in the squad. Mustafiz, Shakib, Shoriful must get some rests and main players should be used in rotation. 

We believe Bangladesh may not risk Tamim now in rehabilitation process. Mushfique and Liton missing the Australia series for bio bubble restrictions would return. Their presence would solve the issues of top and middle order to some extent. But Soumya must not be ignored all together. Same goes with young Shamim. They are not the type of players, Bangladesh should judge from failing on a low slow track where ball comes late at the wicket. T20 matches are not played on such surfaces anywhere.. They should be given opportunities at some stages of the series. They would be definitely useful weapons of Bangladesh in the world cup. Bangladesh should give opportunities to Nazmul Shanto, Pervez Emon, Tawhid Hridoy type fringe players and also give Taskin ,Rubel, Aminul Islam Biplob some exposure. Off course the series should be secured first. Bangladesh also send their team to Oman couple of weeks earlier for acclimatization with the condition there. 
PLEASE REMAIN CONFIDENT BUT NOT COMPLACENT. 

BDST: 1510 HRS, AUG 13, 2021
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