ICC World Cup 2015: Can inspired Bangladesh put a better showing this time around?

The World Cup is exactly 70 days away. Bangladesh have just completed a 5-0 win over Zimbabwe in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Varun Arora analyzes their chances in the event.  

The atmosphere is jovial and the crowd bathed deep in the victory slogans of their local heroes. The local boys have been unassailable through the 40 days of play. They have crippled the foreign enemy in both Tests and limited overs cricket.

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The next pit stop is Canberra, where Bangladesh will play Afghanistan in the first match of the World Cup. Bangladesh were lucky as their charts were drawn out fine. They played sluggish and unexciting cricket throughout the year losing 12 out of 13 matches with one match ending in a tie.

Then arrived Zimbabwe, to play three Test matches and five ODIs fitted in a period of 40 days, only to meliorate the ugly records registered by Bangladesh early in the year. As predicted, Bangladesh weaved all the tricks and made sure they make full use of the opportunity. From scripting the spin-friendly patches to recalling Shakib Al Hasan to their line-up, all the tricks served well for the home team.

They also introduced two youngsters, Jubair Hossain and Taijul Islam, who spun Zimbabwe out on most occasions. The last 40 days have been meticulous for Bangladesh cricket. They have managed to dish out the friendly results, register uncanny records, and press a case ahead of the biggest cricketing event. Nevertheless, will they be able to make full use of the momentum ahead of the World Cup?

Surprisingly, out of the 48 wickets, which were picked by the Bangladesh bowlers, 32 fell against the spinners. Bangladesh did not deploy much of the fast-bowling armoury for wicket-taking operations knowing the weakness of Zimbabwe batsmen against the turning ball.

Below is list of fast bowlers played by Bangladesh in the five-match series:

Barring Mashrafe Mortaza, none of the fast bowlers have shown wicket-taking abilities with the ball. Bangladesh bowlers will need to ply a strategy as wickets in Australia and New Zealand are known to support pace more than spin. Their optimal strategy would probably be to rely on their strength and encourage their slow bowlers.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh should take their positives after the high of the Zimbabwe series. They have finally started to win matches. Shakib was back, and looked in appreciable form in the ODIs. Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque has looked in sublime touch as they have managed to give Bangladesh decent starts.

Most importantly, Mortaza, who took over the captaincy from Mushfiqur Rahim, has groomed the team well as a unit and the results have been encouraging. Bangladesh need to introspect and roll out a dice and put their perspectives into position before the World Cup.

(Varun Arora is a reporter with CricketCountry. He started as a medium-fast bowler, converted to an opening batsman but finally settled with his passion of writing about the game. His Twitter handle is @varunjgd)