While there are still Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmadullah in the team, Bangladesh cricket have taken an unknown turn in their journey.
It is Tamim the left-hander, who is opening the innings, but He’s not “the” Tamim – The Stalwart of Bangladesh cricket, he is the 22-year-old sensation Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who has taken over the spot and looks promising as well.
Still having the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmadullah Riyad, this set-up does not seem to rely on them much now. With Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the mix, the Tigers have a number of match-winners instead of just a couple.
How important are Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz for this Bangladesh team going forward?
This World Cup might be an end to an era for the likes of Steve Smith, Rohit Sharma, Kane Williamson, David Warner, and Quinton De Kock. And when it comes to the Bangladesh team, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah Riyad are probably playing their last ODI World Cup.
With the core group of Bangladesh might not be playing after the World Cup, it is Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, will be taking on the core duties of the team.
With the likes of Litton Das, Mustafizur Rahman and a couple more experienced ones, this team will be capable of doing wonders in the coming years.
A few days back in the game against India, Shakib Al Hasan was not fit to play and Najmul Hasan Shanto was named the captain despite having Litton Das, who already has experience in leading the team.
This shows the belief of Bangladesh Cricket’s management towards the young Shanto.
Shanto did not have a great start to his career but the year 2023 has been a terrific one for him.
In 18 innings this year, he has smashed over 750 runs, with two centuries and six half-centuries.
In the second ODI against Ireland in the bilateral series, when Ireland posted a mammoth total of 319 runs, not even one stepped up among the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das.
It was Shanto who smashed a hundred and went on to score 117, helping his team chase down 319 with almost six overs.
Najmul Hossain Shanto in ODIs (2023)
| Innings | 18 |
| Runs | 772 |
| Average | 45.41 |
| 50s | 6 |
| 100s | 2 |
And when it comes to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who recently turned into an all-rounder after he smashed a match-winning century against India in the bilateral series.
He used to bat at number six or seven but a few incredible knocks with the bat promoted him to play in the middle order, and he has shown promising signs playing there as well.
He has been prolific in the years 2022 and 2023 so far and has scored over 700 runs during this time.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz in ODIs (2022 and 2023)
| Innings | 27 |
| Runs | 718 |
| Average | 45.12 |
| 50s | 2 |
| 100s | 2 |
Not just Shanto and Mehidy, the Tigers are roaring with the likes of Shoriful Islam, Towhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan and a few more youngsters.
All these youngsters possess the quality and can win games single-handedly on their day.
Having seen teams like Afghanistan and Netherlands performing this way in the tournament, it will be inspiring for the young Tigers as well.
With three upsets in the tournament so far, we might see another one happening tomorrow as Bangladesh will face the Proteas.
Source- image taken from Scroll.in (Asif HASSAN / AFP)
