Champions Trophy: Bangladesh's prospects and challenges

The first edition of the ICC Champions Trophy was held in Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in 1998. South Africa emerged as the champion in this tournament while the runner-up was West Indies. Although Bangladesh was the host, it did not play in the tournament. This tournament was previously known as the ICC Knockout Trophy. The Champions Trophy is organized by the ICC, the world cricket governing body to collect financial funds for the development of non-Test playing countries. You can say that this tournament is much like the FIFA Confederations Cup. The best six football teams from six continents, the defending world champions, and the host country play in the Confederations Cup. The best eight teams with cricket banking are also playing in the Champions Trophy. The ninth edition of the tournament will start on February 19 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. The last edition was held in England, in 2017. The tournament is played in the ODI format.

During the last season, Bangladesh set a record for playing in the semi-finals. This is Bangladesh's best success in the history of the Champions Trophy, having participated in five editions.

What are Bangladesh's chances this time in the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is starting after seven years? Considering the team, opponent, condition, and current performance - Bangladesh has the potential, but there are also many challenges.

Bangladesh has been placed in a tough group in the tournament. Bangladesh's opponents in Group 'B' are strong India, Pakistan and New Zealand. The Bangladesh team will start its Champions Trophy mission with a match against India in Dubai on February 20. They will play matches against New Zealand and Pakistan in Rawalpindi on February 24 and 27. All three matches will be challenging on the way to the knockout stage. Along with the two big teams of the subcontinent as opponents, New Zealand can also be quite eye-catching. As a result, Bangladesh will have to go through a difficult path.

This time, two important cricketers Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal are not in the Bangladesh team. World-famous all-rounder Shakib is in trouble with his bowling action as he enters the twilight of his career. He has been banned due to his faulty bowling action. Even though he only had the chance to play as a batsman, the selectors did not include the 'half-strength Shakib' in the team. Tamim Iqbal has ended all discussions by announcing his retirement for the second time. Bangladesh will miss these two cricketers a lot. Moreover, Liton Kumar Das is not in the team due to off-form despite making a devastating century in the BPL after being dropped from the team. Bangladesh has formed a champion team with seven batsmen, three spinners, and four pace bowlers.

What are Bangladesh's expectations from this team? Bangladesh national team chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu sees many challenges. While announcing the team, he said: "You have to go with hope. You have to fight to win every match. You have to reflect hope with your bat and ball on the field. No opponent is a failure. Pakistan and New Zealand will play ODIs in Rawalpindi, but they are slightly ahead in terms of match experience, wickets on that ground, run-chasing."

He also said: "Our task is very difficult. Our three opponents - one team (Pakistan) will play on their home ground. And India is very familiar with Dubai. So it will be a very commendable achievement if we can go to the next stage. It is a big challenge. But I believe that the Bangladesh ODI team is at a level to take on the challenge."

On the other hand, Bangladesh national team captain Rakibul Hasan believes that Bangladesh has the potential to do well despite the challenge. Whatever the team would have done if Shakib and Tamim were there, Bangladesh will do without these two. He said: "I do not see the logic of keeping Shakib in the team. Because his bowling action is legal. Of course, the team will miss Tamim. Because the one deficiency in the team in opening has not been filled yet."

How far can Bangladesh go in the tournament? Rakibul Hasan said: "Anyone can do well on their day. It turned out that I played my best, but I lost. You can't predict this tournament in advance."

On the other hand, former Bangladesh cricketer Mohammad Rafiq said that it is difficult to fill the gap without a player like Shakib in the team. Shakib's absence in a big tournament like the Champions Trophy will affect the team's strength and self-confidence.

The record-breaking performance against Pakistan and the West Indies in the last match could be a big inspiration for Bangladesh. The success that Bangladesh has achieved by overcoming the challenging conditions of these two countries will show the way like a light.

Nazmul's team won the two-test match series in Rawalpindi in August last year while touring Pakistan. They will play two matches of the Champions Trophy at the venue that made history. Past success will provide Bangladesh with additional motivation. Besides, the success of winning the Test match in difficult conditions during the last tour of the West Indies and whitewashing the Caribbean in the T20 series can increase the strength of the team. And Bangladesh can capitalize on that and win the Champions Trophy.