A fruitful outcome expected in Champions Trophy

International cricket tournaments hold a distinct charm and attraction in the subcontinent. Every international cricket event turns into an unplanned festival, where millions of people immerse themselves in the celebration. This joyful festivity influences individuals, families, and society, even altering the daily rhythm of life. Cricket, often called the "king of uncertainty," captivates fans because of its deep resemblance to life itself. Just as life's unpredictability makes it beautiful, so does cricket.

Renowned literary figure Achintya Kumar Sengupta, in the Avabhavita Cricket chapter of his book Mriga Nei Mrigaya (first published in Falgun 1372), wrote, "Cricket is the king of uncertainty, the emperor of surprises—anything can happen at any moment. A team can drown just as it reaches the shore, or a raging river may dry up to clear the way. It mirrors life itself—sometimes the day is long, sometimes the night; sometimes one sits on a throne, sometimes one is in exile." Cricket is truly witty, a game that loves to play with surprises. The presence of the unexpected fills cricket with excitement and passion.

This game deeply attracts people. Playing it brings joy, and watching it is equally thrilling. Bangladeshi cricket writer Badrul Huda Chowdhury, in his first published book Tabu Cricket Bhalobasi (first published in October 1966), wrote on page 28, "Like everything in life, cricket too has its flaws, yet it remains a bright source of joy in the world of sports. Cricket is truly the king of sports—that’s why I love it so much." He further mentioned in his book that he would willingly stand at the very end of a long queue just to watch a cricket match.

After an eight-year hiatus since the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England, the tournament is set to return on February 19, with Pakistan as the host. The opening match will take place in Karachi between New Zealand and Pakistan. In the 2017 edition, Bangladesh played exceptional cricket and reached the semifinals, an extraordinary achievement in England's challenging conditions. To date, this remains Bangladesh’s best performance in an ICC global ODI tournament, although they lost to India in the semifinals. This time, Bangladesh will begin their campaign against India in Dubai on February 20.

Bangladesh will return to Pakistan to play their remaining two group-stage matches on February 24 and 27 against New Zealand and Pakistan, respectively, in Rawalpindi. The Tigers have previously played in Dubai and Rawalpindi, making them familiar with the pitch conditions, so adapting should not be an issue. There’s no need to overthink the conditions. Apart from matches in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, some games will also be held in Dubai as part of the tournament’s "hybrid model." This approach was previously used in the 2023 Asia Cup when India refused to play in Pakistan, leading to Sri Lanka hosting some matches under the same model.

India has not played in Pakistan since 2008, whereas Pakistan has participated in ICC events in India. Despite initially opposing India’s unreasonable demands regarding the Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board eventually conceded. As a result, if India reaches the final, it will be played in Dubai on March 9. Cricket is a prestigious sport—a way of life—but it loses its essence when geopolitics interferes. India’s rigid stance goes against the true spirit of cricket, and the ICC remains silent on the matter.

Eight teams will compete in the Champions Trophy. Will the 2017 winners, Pakistan, be able to defend their title? Among the eight teams, four are from Asia—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan—which has generated significant excitement among cricket enthusiasts in the subcontinent. As I mentioned earlier, cricket is full of uncertainty. I have already shared my views on the teams in the media, and I summarize them below from that perspective.

In the subcontinent, cricket experts consider India, Australia, Pakistan, and England to be the strongest contenders. Some have also highlighted Afghanistan’s well-balanced squad. Bangladesh reached the semifinals of the Champions Trophy when it was last held in England. Currently, the team is undergoing a phase of restructuring, changes, and new inclusions. Despite this, the young players show great promise. The team, a mix of experienced and young talents, appears well-balanced. If the Tigers can play as a cohesive unit, making significant progress in the tournament is not beyond their reach. However, expecting Bangladesh to win the Champions Trophy at this stage would be unrealistic.

What we truly want is for the Tigers to play courageous and confident cricket as a team. They must rise to the occasion at the right moments. The team’s collective strength is now greater than before. The pace attack is much stronger, and the effectiveness of the spin department has improved. Previously, Bangladesh lacked a wrist spinner, but now they have one. Several batters are in great form, and the understanding between young players and experienced senior campaigners is solid—this is a significant advantage. If they play responsible cricket with a well-thought-out strategy, there is no reason why the Tigers cannot perform well. Everything depends on courage, confidence, and a strong mindset. A solid start against India in the first match could set the stage for an exciting Champions Trophy campaign for Bangladesh.

With matches in Dubai and Pakistan, teams have already begun analyzing pitch conditions, leading India and other teams to prioritize spinners in their squads. What does cricket history suggest? How effective will Afghanistan’s spinners be? Are there any in-form players who were left out of the squad announced by Najmul Hossain Shanto and the selectors? Team selection debates arise in every country, and this time is no exception. The key factors will be team combination, a positive mindset on the field, and maintaining focus during matches.

Teams from outside the subcontinent have spent a long time preparing for the Champions Trophy by playing ODIs, tri-series, and Test matches in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Dubai to fine-tune their skills and adapt to the conditions. Except for Bangladesh, every participating team has taken such preparatory steps. However, Bangladesh’s players have remained active, which is crucial. They participated in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 tournament. Almost all the players selected for the squad, except for a couple, were in good form. Although two or three players struggled in the BPL, they still engaged in ODI training. The team did not get much time for specific ODI preparations.

The Tigers played a practice match in Dubai but suffered a defeat. Transitioning from T20 to ODI cricket is no longer a major issue for professional players in good form. What’s needed is a shift in mindset and focus on the game. A country selects players to represent it based on their potential and capabilities. Bangladesh’s cricketers feel most comfortable in the ODI format, which is their preferred version of the game. Hopefully, they will deliver strong performances.

Author: Columnist and analyst. Former Senior Vice President, AIPS Asia. Lifetime Member, Bangladesh Sports Press Association. Panel Writer, Football Asia.