Sports Desk:

Bangladesh have been the perennial underdogs in international cricket, but somehow seem to always compete hard at the upper echelons of the sport.

The team have been on a patchy record of late.

In their recent tour of the West Indies, they drew the Test series 1-1, then were whitewashed in the three One Day International contests, but came back to win the Twenty20 International series 3-0.

However, despite this recent volatile form, Nazmul Hossain Shanto will be leading the side with proven pedigree in the ICC Champions Trophy with a run to the semi-finals in the previous edition, in 2017.

This run included a memorable five-wicket victory over New Zealand as they made their way to the semi-finals of the tournament with centuries from Shakib al Hasan and Mahmudullah in Cardiff successfully chasing down a target of 266.

Shanto’s campaign will be assisted by senior players like Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim and the Bangladesh skipper is confident his team can perform well.

BANGLADESH’S CT SQUAD

Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed Tazim, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana

GROUP STAGE FIXTURES

February 20 – Against India, Dubai

February 24 – Against New Zealand, Rawalpindi

February 27 – Against Pakistan, Rawalpindi

Player to watch

MEHEDI HASAN MIRAZ

A versatile all-rounder who has come into his own for Bangladesh, Miraz had a Test five-wicket haul before he was 19. He has been in fine form lately with a good performance in the tour of the West Indies, where he led the side in the ODI format in the absence of Shanto. He scored 152 runs across three ODIs with an average of 50.66 striking at 84.91, being the fourth-highest run-getter in the series, and was handy with the ball as well. His bowling exploits were at their best in the T20Is where he was spectacular with eight wickets in three matches, which included a brilliant 4/13 off his four overs at an economy rate of 3.25. His performances in the Test format were also impressive, scoring 146 runs across two Test matches at an average of 36.5. He will be key to bolstering Bangladesh’s chances in the upcoming Champions Trophy.