5 players who form Bangladesh cricket team’s nucleus

Bangladesh cricket have seen a fairytale journey with them climbing up the ladder in International cricket in the recent past. The journey hasn’t been a smooth ride for the Tigers as several times they have stumbled at the brink of victory.

However, with the surge of time, Bangladesh have produced players to be proud of and players who can guide a team to victory without much fuss. As we move along in our article, we take a look at five cricketers who made a name for themselves and currently are indispensable elements of the Bangladesh team.

#5 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan is currently ranked the top all-rounder in all formats of the game and rightly so factoring in the contributions he has made for Bangladesh cricket. Arguably, he is the greatest cricketer Bangladesh have ever produced over the years.

The left-armer from Magura has been a revelation with both ball and the willow as oppositions have always been wary of his skills. In the wickets column, he tops Bangladesh’s bowling charts in Test cricket and is second on the list in the ODI format.

He is also Bangladesh’s second highest run-getter in both Tests and ODIs. In the ongoing Champions Trophy, Shakib’s form has been top notch, especially with the bat, as his match-winning hundred against New Zealand gifted Bangladesh their first ever semi-final berth in an ICC tournament.

#4 Mushfiqur Rahim

Mushfiqur Rahim is Bangladesh’s fighter in the middle order

Mushfiqur Rahim might be small in stature, but there’s no dearth of quality in the pugnacious wicket-keeper batsman from Bangladesh. Apart from his prowess behind the stumps, he has been a stalwart in the middle order, contributing with vital knocks for his team.

Many a time, he has rescued Bangladesh from precarious positions with his unruffled and unflustered temperament. Currently, the third-highest run scorer in Tests and ODIs, Rahim has also successfully captained his team for a substantial period.

With 163 runs in four games at an average of 40.75, he played his part pretty efficiently coming in at number four in the batting line-up. And at 30 years of age, he still has plenty to offer for Bangladesh cricket.

#3 Mahmudullah Riyad

Mahmudullah gives Bangladesh’s lower middle order some much-needed muscle

Mahmudullah Riyad is a major reason why Bangladesh have won big matches, especially in the ICC tournaments. He has been absolutely scintillating for Bangladesh in the middle order. And apart from being a prolific run-getter, Mahmudullah is a handy off-break bowler.

Most importantly, he has the skills and temperament to be banked on when the chips are down. During the World Cup in 2015, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, Mahmudullah racked up a couple of tons to help his team to a quarter-final spot.

In the just-concluded Champions Trophy Mahmudullah added another century to his kitty against New Zealand helping the Tigers knock out the Kiwis.

#2 Mashrafe Mortaza

Mortaza is a leader of men

Mashrafe Mortaza burst onto the scene as someone who could crank up some serious pace with the ball in hand, hit sixes at will and also be a livewire on the field. He was a swashbuckler to start with but has gradually turned himself into a matured, calm and composed personality.

His career has been a roller-coaster ride, which has mostly been marred by injuries which in turn significantly reduced his pace as he turned from a genuine quick bowler to a medium pacer of sorts.

Though Bangladesh managed only a solitary victory under his captaincy in the Champions Trophy, his decision making has been judicious in terms of bowling changes and setting the field. Fitness is still an issue for Mashrafe, but there’s no dearth of energy.

#1 Tamim Iqbal

Tamim Iqbal

Tamim Iqbal made his international debut at the tender age of 17 and since then he has been a revelation for Bangladesh at the top of the order. Frequently enough, he has given flying starts to his time and gradually with time he has also mastered the art of grinding hard at the crease.

Opening the batting for Bangladesh, Tamim has been one of their most consistent players over the years. With 293 runs at an average of 73.25, he ended up third on the list of most runs in the Champions Trophy.

He opened the carnival with a marvellous ton against England and followed it up with a gutsy innings of 95 against Australia. At 28 years of age, he still has plenty to offer for Bangladesh cricket and will remain to be a key element in their scheme of things.