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Bangladesh, the final team to announce its squad for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, unveiled its 15-man lineup on September 26, with Shakib Al Hasan assuming the role of captain. In line with their tradition, Bangladesh’s squad for the World Cup leans heavily towards spin, featuring the likes of Shakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan. However, what sets this squad apart is the inclusion of a four-pronged pace attack, making it a well-rounded and versatile group.
Bangladesh are scheduled to kick off its World Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Dharamsala on Saturday, October 7. Before that, they will engage in a couple of warm matches in Guwahati, facing Sri Lanka on Friday (September 29) and England on Monday (October 2), as part of their preparation.
One of the most significant developments in the squad announcement was the absence of Tamim Iqbal. Iqbal’s non-inclusion came as a surprise, especially given his long-term experience in ICC tournaments. This World Cup squad also marks the omission of several players who featured in the 2019 tournament, signaling a shift in the team’s composition and strategy.
Here are the 8 players who played for Bangladesh in the 2019 World Cup but won’t feature in the 2023 CWC
1. Tamim Iqbal:
Tamim, a veteran in the Bangladesh cricket team, played a crucial role in the 2019 World Cup, featuring in eight games and scoring a total of 231 runs, including a highest score of 62, at an average of 28.87. Nevertheless, his journey to the 2023 CWC has been riddled with controversy and disappointment. Despite being fit to participate, Tamim decided to withdraw from the 2023 World Cup squad following a request from a top Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official to bat down the order. This decision raised eyebrows, leaving fans and experts alike surprised by his absence from the World Cup lineup. It’s a story of unfulfilled potential and discord that has seen one of Bangladesh’s most prolific batter miss out on the prestigious tournament.
Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023: Shakib al Hasan addresses Tamim Iqbal’s allegations; advices him to follow Rohit Sharma-MS Dhoni for inspiration
2. Mohammad Mithun:
Mohammad Mithun‘s career trajectory has taken a downturn since his stint in the 2019 World Cup. In the tournament, he played three fixtures, scoring a modest 47 runs with an average of 15.66. Once a regular fixture in the national team, Mithun hasn’t featured for Bangladesh since July 20th, 2021, owing to a series of underwhelming performances. His omission from the 2023 CWC squad reflects a significant decline in his white-ball cricket career.
3. Mosaddek Hossain:
Mosaddek Hossain’s journey from the 2019 World Cup to the 2023 CWC has been characterized by fluctuations in form and opportunities. He played a role in Bangladesh’s 2019 campaign, featuring in seven matches, scoring 117 runs, and contributing with 3 wickets.
In 2023, he did not feature in any ODIs for the national team. In 2022, he only played one innings, during which he managed to score just 14 runs. Nonetheless, it’s worth mentioning that Mithun had a strong performance in the Dhaka Premier League 2023, indicating that he still possesses the skills to excel at the domestic level. Despite this, the team management and selectors decided to look in a different direction, opting to provide opportunities to emerging talents in the squad for the upcoming marquee event.
4. Sabbir Rahman:
Sabbir Rahman‘s cricketing journey has seen its share of highs and lows. In the 2019 World Cup, Sabbir got limited opportunities, featuring in just two games and scoring 36 runs with a highest score of 36. Once considered a mainstay in the national team, Sabbir’s form dwindled, causing him to fade from the limelight.
Although, he had a resurgence in the Dhaka Premier League 2022, earning a spot in the Asia Cup 2022 squad. Handed the role of an opener, this was a golden opportunity for Sabbir to establish himself in T20 cricket. Sadly, he couldn’t make the most of these opportunities and was eventually dropped from Bangladesh’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2022. His absence from the 2023 CWC squad suggests a possible shift in Bangladesh’s selection priorities.
5. Soumya Sarkar:
Soumya Sarkar, an explosive opener for Bangladesh, featured in eight fixtures during the 2019 World Cup, accumulating 166 runs at an average of 20.75 and a respectable strike rate of 101.21. However, his form took a hit in the 2022 T20 World Cup, resulting in his exclusion from white-ball cricket for Bangladesh. Despite being included in the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 squad as a potential middle-order candidate, Soumya made headlines for off-field issues, including a heated altercation with India’s Harshit Rana during the tournament semifinal in Colombo. It’s a combination of poor form and off-field troubles that likely contributed to his omission from the 2023 CWC squad.
6. Mohammad Saifuddin:
Mohammad Saifuddin’s journey to the 2023 CWC has been marred by persistent injuries. He had a decent campaign in the 2019 World Cup, scoring 87 runs in seven games with a highest score of 51 and taking 14 wickets at an average under 30. Neverthless, he faced recurring injury issues, including a back injury during the T20 World Cup 2021 that forced him out of the tournament. Despite a brief appearance in the Asia Cup 2022, where he played only one match against Afghanistan, taking a single wicket, injuries continued to haunt him. In August 2023, he traveled to Qatar for injury treatment, and his absence from the 2023 CWC squad appears to be linked to these fitness concerns.
7. Mashrafe Mortaza:
Mashrafe Mortaza, a veteran of Bangladesh cricket and former captain, had a forgettable 2019 CWC campaign, contributing just 34 runs in eight matches with an abysmal average of 8.50. With the ball, he managed to pick up only 1 wicket with an economy rate exceeding six. Mortaza’s career has been marked by numerous injuries, including ten operations on his knees and ankles. On March 6, 2020, at the age of 37, he retired from national team captaincy, signifying the end of an era. His absence from the 2023 CWC squad was expected, as he had already stepped away from international cricket.
8. Rubel Hossain:
Rubel Hossain featured in 2 fixtures during the 2019 World Cup but picked up only one wicket with an abysmal average of 131 and a high economy rate of 7.70. On September 19, 2022, he announced his retirement from Test Cricket, citing a desire to provide more opportunities to younger players. His last ODI match was in March 2021 against New Zealand in Wellington. His absence from the 2023 CWC squad signals a transition toward a new generation of fast bowlers.
Special mention: Abu Jayed
9. Abu Jayed:
Abu Jayed‘s inclusion in Bangladesh’s 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 was a surprise. Nonetheless, he couldn’t secure a place in the playing XI to showcase his bowling talents. In his career, he has played only two ODI games. Once considered to have the best swing in Bangladesh, off-field disputes with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and a loss of form likely contributed to his non-inclusion in the 2023 CWC squad.
These players’ journeys reflect the ups and downs of professional cricket, with varying factors like form, fitness, and team dynamics playing pivotal roles in their careers and World Cup aspirations.
