Nidahas Trophy 2018: SWOT Analysis of Bangladesh Team

Sri Lanka, in its efforts to celebrate 70 years of Independence in the country, scheduled a Triangular series between Asian giants. As a result, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will clash against each other to compete for the Nidahas Trophy.

The event will consist of seven T20I games. Each of the teams has an opportunity to face the other teams twice before competing in the finals.

The iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will witness the action starting March 6. Here we look at the strength, weakness, opportunity and threats of Bangladesh squad.

Strength

The Tri-series will see all their star players work in tandem. Due to injuries or commitment issues, the star players of Bangladesh have not played together. The recent results were just a reflection of this primary factor.

However, the Nidihas Trophy will see their key players back in the exciting format which would allow them to express themselves.

The likes of Shakib, Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur are the superstar of Bangladesh cricket. Bangladeshi Tigers have brought about a dynamic side, able to succeed in all conditions.

Weakness

The form of our eastern neighbors is a matter of concern before the event kicks off next week. Bangladesh lost the recent two-match T20I series against Sri Lanka recently, following a loss in the Test series. They also lost the tri-nation ODI series they hosted earlier this year, featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Although their star players are back playing together, their bench strength was tested in the recent times. It will be disconcerting for Bangladesh supporter if their star players get injured during the series. Their backup appears inexperienced at the highest level on paper.

Opportunity

Bangladesh is too good a side in the T20Is to languish at the bottom of the ICC rankings. They are currently placed at ninth in the table only above Zimbabwe.

Although the Tigers are a force to reckon with, they have struggled in the shortest format of the game internationally. Interestingly, Bangladesh is destined to move downwards in rankings even if they win all the league matches.

This series might also come as an opportunity for Bangladesh to seek vengeance for their recent loss against Sri Lanka. Also, they would look to trump their arch-rivals and extract revenge for their narrow loss in the T20 World Cup of 2016.

The fact that the Indians are playing without their cream in all departments of the game gives tremendous opportunity to the underdogs.

Threat

Sri Lanka and India, meanwhile, come in as the form teams in the competition. Indians mauled South Africans in their soil in both ODI and T20I series. They recently whitewashed the Sri Lankans in a T20I series in December.

Also, the Lankan Lions are coming in having won all the three series they featured in the year of 2018. That said, the underdogs might have a trick or two up their sleeves to surprise the Asian giants.

Probable XI

Shakib Al Hasan(c), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Islam

Reserves: Abu Jayed,Imrul Kayes, Nurul Hasan, Ariful Haque, Abu Hider Rony