Topping the first round is a big challenge

The shortest format of cricket, T20, contains elements that attract both men and women of all ages. It captivates like magic. Cricket enthusiasts, whose numbers are steadily increasing, now consider it their "first choice." This 240-ball game (120 balls per team), synchronized with the ticking of the clock, offers a mix of excitement, thrill, entertainment, joy, sorrow, hope, and despair, already earning it the title of the "best festival."

T20's popularity is at its peak globally, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) contributing significantly to this rise. The entire cricket world looks forward to this league with deep interest and enthusiasm, and representatives from various countries participate in it. Over the years, with investments of billions of rupees, the IPL has provided maximum entertainment in a short time, ensured financial security for players, directly contributed to business, commerce, and the economy, and influenced the other two recognized formats of cricket. It has transformed the philosophy and color of the game. In reality, it continuously inspires cricketers to play fearless and free cricket. We are witnessing where the innovative strength of cricketers is taking the game. Even scoring over 270 runs in 20 overs is not enough for comfort – the opposition chases down such scores with ease. Boundaries and sixes are common for batters, while bowlers face immense challenges. The game has become heavily skewed in favor of the batters, and bowlers repeatedly seek "protection" from policymakers. Something needs to be done. In T20s, bowlers truly lack a sense of ease. Pakistan's Wasim Akram has expressed gratitude for not being a bowler in this era. He mentioned feeling lucky not to be playing cricket now. Recently, Kolkata Knight Riders' fielding coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, said in an interview, "Bowlers need to be brave. They need to find ways to stop the batsmen. To keep up with this battle, bowlers need to be sufficiently courageous. If the flow of runs is not checked, this will continue."

In T20 cricket, the most discussed topic now is the "strike rate." It is the lifeblood of the game. The higher the strike rate of a team's batters, the greater their chances of staying ahead in the competition. The Bangladesh national team is still significantly lagging in this crucial aspect of the shortest format of the game. Enhancing the strike rate is possible if players can play with confidence, handle pressure, and believe in their abilities. Without mastering T20 cricket properly, playing free-spirited cricket is not feasible. The Bangladesh team plays T20 cricket with this shortcoming and will enter the upcoming T20 World Cup with it. This weakness can undoubtedly be overcome if the team acknowledges reality and works accordingly. Poor management policies have kept the cricket team from being competitive.

The T20 festival is the biggest proponent of democratic practices and values. No other format of cricket engages society at all levels with such enthusiasm, involvement, rights, and equality. Does any other format focus so much on the essence of the game? The blend of youthful energy and veteran experience in T20 highlights responsibility, accountability, and discipline, which are crucial in democratic practice. It emphasizes unity and teamwork above all. No one is bigger than the team. Coaches and players will come and go, but the team will remain with its values and goals.

Cricket is often associated with uncertainty, but T20 has the most uncertainty, risk, and challenge. The focus of concentration is the battleground. Creativity and positivity in T20 are linked with the practice of "meditation." On the field, certain individuals must proceed with their methods. For example, in batting, the initial task is to establish a strong position through runs. Properly utilizing the first six overs of the power play means getting ahead. Fielders are restricted during this period. However, losing wickets at this stage means putting the team in a challenging and worrisome situation. So far, the Bangladesh team has rarely utilized the power play effectively, reflecting a significant weakness. The responsibility lies heavily on the openers and top-order batters. Returning to the pavilion and regretting is futile. These are mere formalities to cover up the situation.

The term "dot ball" is always significant in T20 discussions. In a 120-ball game (occasionally increasing with wides and no-balls), how many balls are wasted will always be questioned. T20 cricket thrives on the mantra of boundaries and sixes, with no room for wasted balls in free and aggressive cricket. Scoring 50 runs in 70 balls is worthless in this format. Here, runs should outpace the balls. This year's IPL has clearly conveyed that scoring more runs and leaving the concept of "dot balls" aside is crucial. Although the Bangladesh team has been playing T20 regularly for many years, they are still not accustomed to playing it as required. Even on good batting wickets, the team fails to post big scores. Consequently, they have often struggled against both ICC full members and associate members in international cricket. The team needs to enter the field with a clear plan and have the game well understood beforehand.

The T20 World Cup is being co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies. The cricketing world's enthusiasts are now focused on the cricket venues in these two countries. Twenty nations will compete in this prestigious T20 cricket tournament. Analysts predict that this upcoming T20 World Cup will be more competitive and entertaining than the previous ones. The successful implementation of innovative ideas is continuously transforming this format of the game. Those who follow professional leagues worldwide can see how cricket experts are working hard to change the characteristics and appeal of T20 cricket. Constant efforts to address the strengths, potential, and threats of the game keep its appeal graph steadily rising.

The opening match of the T20 World Cup on June 2 will feature the USA and Canada, both ICC associate member nations. By co-hosting the event with the West Indies, the USA has shown a significant commitment to cricket. This is noteworthy. Leaving aside global politics and economics, the direct involvement and enthusiasm of the USA in the globalization of cricket are positive for the sport. The day may not be far when it will be acknowledged that cricket is truly a global game. Some might think politically about showcasing a strong Bangladesh team to the USA in the upcoming World Cup, but in reality, this is highly improbable. Given the current capabilities of the Bangladesh team, even getting past the first round will be a significant challenge. As we look forward to the T20 World Cup, everyone should set their expectations based on the team's actual capabilities and players' current forms. If Bangladesh manages to get past the first round (they are in Group D with Sri Lanka, South Africa, Nepal, and the Netherlands), then further considerations can be made. This group is strong; Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka and South Africa in the USA and Nepal and the Netherlands in St. Vincent in the West Indies. When the ICC prepares wickets for its tournaments, it considers both bowlers and batsmen, avoiding one-sided pitches. Thus, there won't be much room for complaints about unfair playing conditions.

Our international cricket is going through a tough phase, especially in the T20 format. The World Cup is beckoning us, bringing both excitement and anxiety about the team's prospects. The reality is that the team can only play to the best of its current abilities. The media often creates hype, but neither excessive optimism nor undue pessimism is desirable. If we look at cricket from the perspective of current realities, it can avoid much controversy and disappointment.

Before heading to the World Cup, many have voiced their opinions for and against the team's preparations, as is customary in our cricket culture. It is also noticeable how individual and collective interests have influenced strategic decisions.

Our national team struggles to perform well in international T20 matches. There hasn't been sufficient work done in domestic cricket to address this issue. Many promises have been made over the years, but expecting players to suddenly perform magic in the World Cup is unrealistic in cricket. Questions arise about who will play, who wants to play, and several players are currently "out of form." Some are dealing with injuries, both publicly and privately. The overall situation is quite complex. The most crucial concern is that the players are not performing as they should in both batting and bowling, which is the biggest discomfort.

The Bangladesh team traveled to the USA to play a three-match bilateral T20 series against the hosts and lost the series embarrassingly. The USA team, comprised of local residents, won their first-ever series against a Test-playing nation, which is memorable for them. It was expected that the Bangladesh players would organize their game, regain form, and resolve many issues in both batting and bowling, but this has not happened yet. This situation has caused concern among cricket enthusiasts and the country's people.

There has been much debate about the team's preparation for the World Cup. The media has conducted various campaigns, each with its own stance, but it must be remembered that cricket belongs to everyone. If this principle is given importance in our cricket, it will reduce unnecessary instability. First came the BPL, then a series against Sri Lanka at home, followed by a five-match series against Zimbabwe, and then a three-match bilateral series in the USA. There were opportunities to become familiar with the conditions. Afterward, there were two official practice matches. Therefore, before the first World Cup match against Sri Lanka in the USA, the team had five matches to refine their skills.

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain and his committee have announced a 15-member squad for the World Cup, with Nazmul Hossain as the captain and the injured Taskin Ahmed as the vice-captain. The squad includes Nazmul Hossain (captain), Taskin Ahmed (vice-captain), Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Zakir Ali, Tanvir Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shariful Islam, and Tanzim Hasan. Reserves are Hasan Mahmud and Afif Hossain.

After 2021, experienced cricketer Mahmudullah has returned to the T20 World Cup squad. For the first time, Tanvir Islam, Zakir Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, and Tanzid Hasan have been included in the T20 World Cup squad. There’s nothing wrong with discussing team selection. This time, it is noteworthy that the chief selector has provided detailed explanations about why certain players were included, why some were not, why out-of-form players were retained, and what will happen if Taskin does not recover in time. This transparency has prevented discussions from becoming stormy. We must understand that our team consists of the best we have.

Bangladesh lost the three-match series against the USA, an ICC associate member nation, which was composed of local residents. Previously, Bangladesh also lost their first match against another associate nation, Ireland, carrying the weight of defeat off the field.
Author: Columnist and analyst. Former Senior Vice President of AIPS Asia. Lifetime member of the Bangladesh Sports Association. Panel writer for Football Asia.