So, the potential semis, as per all reviews and calculations - India, Australia, South Africa. The last spot will be a scrap between Sri Lanka, dark horse New Zealand and maybe England. Home advantage and an experienced team should get Sri Lanka through on common sense. But common sense and past analysis is only meaningful up to a point. The fourteen years between 1983 and 1996 should remind us of that.
The dark horses who proved their capabilities by defeating India in the Caribbean.They'll be even strong in their home conditions & dnt be surprised if they knock some big names off during this WC. They'll require the skilled but unsung players in the squad to fire under the captaincy of the exceptionally capable all rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
Captain: Mashrafe Mortaza
The 31-year-old was Bangladesh's first real fast bowler who has taken 183 wickets from 144 ODIs to go with 78 from his 36 tests. A sprightly bowler whose career was plagued by injuries due to a freak action and poor handling by his captain, Mortaza missed the 2011 World Cup with a knee issue and would hope to make amends this time around. Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
The former Sri Lanka cricketer has played 26 tests and 35 ODIs, often as Roshan Mahanama's steady opening partner. The 46-year-old has coached the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka A before being put in charge of Bangladesh last year replacing Australian Shane Jurgensen.
Strengths:
- Key batsmen: Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim
- Key bowler: Shakib Al Hasan
- Shakib Al Hasan - one of the finest all-rounders in the ODI game today.
- Also his country's greatest-ever ODI player.
Weaknesses:
- Everything else - they are the worst batting and bowling side amongst the 10 test teams.
