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Despite their poor performance in the recent matches, Bangladesh will be a big threat for India, Pakistan, and New Zealand in Group A of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Bangladesh is part of Group A in Champions Trophy 2025 and will open campaign against India on February 20. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Placed in a tough Group A, Bangladesh open their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Thursday, February 20, against India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh, semifinalists of the previous edition of Champions Trophy in 2017, haven’t been in the best of forms in the lead up to the tournament. They enter the competition having lost four matches in a row – the last three of which were played against the West Indies.
Apart from India, Bangladesh will face New Zealand and Pakistan in Group A, and going by the current form, it will be a surprise if they manage to win even one match.
Bangladesh will play the 50-over ICC tournament which is making a comeback after nearly eight years, without the experienced duo of Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan.
Shakib was not considered for selection by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selectors, whereas Litton was dropped due to poor form.
Still, it will be a mistake to count Bangladesh out – on previous occasions, they have defied the expectations and caused major upsets.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto issued a warning to rival teams last week by declaring his side are heading to the Champions Trophy believing they can win their first ICC event at the senior level.
History In Champions Trophy
Bangladesh made their Champions Trophy debut in 2000 and lost by 8 wickets to England in the first match (pre-quarterfinal) to get knocked out of the tournament. In the subsequent three editions 2002, 2004 and 2006 – Bangladesh made a group-stage exit.
In 2017, Bangladesh made it to the semifinals, which is their best performance so far.
Top Players to Watch Out For
Mushfiqur Rahim: Rahim is Bangladesh’s most capped ODI player (272 matches) and has scored close to 8000 runs to his name. In the absence of Shakib, he will be a key batter for Bangladesh in the middle order.
Mustafizur Rahman: Mustafizur will lead Bangladesh’s pace attack. The left-arm pacer has 172 wickets to his name in 107 matches played so far.
Strongest Playing XI
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana
Recent ODI Form (Last 5 Matches)
- Bangladesh lost by 4 wickets against the West Indies in Basseterre on December 12, 2024.
- Bangladesh went down by 7 wickets against the West Indies in Basseterre on December 10, 2024.
- Bangladesh suffered a defeat by 5 wickets against the West Indies in Basseterre on December 8, 2024.
- Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets in Sharjah on November 11, 2024.
- Bangladesh hammered Afghanistan by 68 runs in Sharjah on November 9, 2024.
Full Squads
Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana
Team Schedule
February 20: Bangladesh vs India, Dubai
February 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi
February 27: Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
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