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BANGLADESH PROFILES

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Habibul Bashar (c)

Born: 17.08.1972
ODIs: 109
Role: Batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 21.68
Strike-Rate: 60.78
Bowl: Right-arm offspin
Average: 142.00
Economy: 4.86

Notched up a century of ODIs just before the World Cup, Bashar is Bangladesh's experienced skipper who led his country to their famous victory over Australia in June 2005. A cultured right-handed batsman but can be vulnerable to the short ball, Bashar captained Bangladesh to convincing series wins against Scotland and Zimbabwe after a disappointing Champions Trophy in 2006.

Mohammad Ashraful

Born: 09.09.1984
ODIs: 99
Role: Batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 21.97
Strike-Rate: 72.58
Bowl: Right-arm legspin
Average: 35.10
Economy: 6.15

At one time Ashraful looked set to become Bangladesh's only genuinely world class player, but a dip in form in recent times has seen his average plummet and even his place in the side come into question. However, on his day Ashraful can be breath-taking, as he proved on the 2005 tour to England, scoring a century in his country's finest hour, their ODI win over Australia at Sofia Gardens.

Javed Omar

Born: 25.11.1976
ODIs: 56
Role: Opening batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 23.48
Strike-Rate: 51.43
Bowl: Right-arm legspin
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

Better known as a Test batsman, Omar has been in and out of the Bangladesh ODI side since his debut in 1995, largely down to his often desperately pedestrian strike rate. His ability to occupy the crease is not a quality often sought after in one-dayers, and was left out of the Champions Trophy, but it was probably his experience that secured him a spot in the World Cup squad.

Shahriar Nafees

Born: 25.01.1986
ODIs: 47
Role: Batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 35.48
Strike-Rate: 69.58
Bowl: n/a
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

An elegant left-hander, Nafees has rather taken over the run-scoring burden from Mohammad Ashraful after the Bangladeshi wunderkind's loss of form in recent times. Touted as his country's future captain and is the first Bangladeshi to score more than one ODI century, Nafees would get into most sides in the World Cup, and could be his side's key man if Ashraful doesn't perform.

Aftab Ahmed

Born: 10.11.1985
ODIs: 64
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 26.58
Strike-Rate: 86.82
Bowl: Rt-arm medium
Average: 49.00
Economy: 5.19

A talented yet frustrating batsman, Ahmed has great potential, if only he would stop throwing his wicket away. More often than not gets out to an ill-advised shot after making a start, Ahmed's attacking style nevertheless delights spectators. Has scored runs against fellow minnows, but has struggled against more established sides, fifties versus India and England aside.

Mushifiqur Rahim

Born: 01.09.1988
ODIs: 20
Role: Wicketkeeper
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 28.20
Strike-Rate: 52.02
Bowl: n/a
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

Included in the squad at the expense of the vastly experienced Khaled Mashud, Rahim has appeared in the Bangladesh side purely as a batsman (he was the youngest player to ever appear in a Test at Lords in 2005), but will don the gloves in the World Cup. Is still something of a surprise choice given his inexperience, but good showings on the tour of Zimbabwe secured his place in the squad.

Saqibul Hasan

Born: 24.03.1987
ODIs: 29
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 45.52
Strike-Rate: 67.94
Bowl: Left fast-med
Average: 30.55
Economy: 3.89

One to watch in the World Cup, Hasan could well be Bangladesh's big hope for the future. Will only turn 20 during the tournament, Hasan already has an impressive strike rate with the bat and a McGrathian economy rate with his left-arm fast-medium bowling. Better shot selection and more consistent scoring are needed, but they will both come with time.

Rajin Saleh

Born: 20.11.1983
ODIs: 43
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 23.92
Strike-Rate: 54.82
Bowl: Right-arm offspin
Average: 30.60
Economy: 5.10

An elegant right handed bat, Saleh can boast a ODI century, but his average has suffered from a poor run of form. Deputised for captain Habibul Bashar in the 2004 Champions Trophy, but has been out of favour in the ODI side in recent times. However, his relative experience will provide some balance to a squad with a number of youngsters.

Tamim Iqbal

Born: 20.03.1989
ODIs: 13
Role: Batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 17.61
Strike-Rate: 63.08
Bowl: n/a
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

One of the least experienced members of the Bangladesh set-up, Iqbal had only two ODIs under his belt when the World Cup squad was announced. However, some hard hitting and heavy scoring in Under-19 games - including a hugely impressive 112 off 71 balls against England in 2005 - have cemented his reputation as his country's most promising young batsman.

Mashrafe Mortaza

Born: 05.10.1983
ODIs: 65
Role: Bowler
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 16.62
Strike-Rate: 94.19
Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
Average: 28.82
Economy: 4.55

A fast and aggressive new-ball bowler, Mortaza can suffer from a sometimes erratic line and length, but his quality is undoubted. Made his international debut in 2001, but has suffered long spells out of action with back and knee injuries (amongst others), which obviously has affected his development. No mug with the bat, he can provide valuable and quick lower order runs when needed.

Shahadat Hossain

Born: 07.08.1986
ODIs: 21
Role: Bowler
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 5.00
Strike-Rate: 45.45
Bowl: Rt-arm fast med
Average: 49.56
Economy: 4.44

Tall young right-arm fast bowler with genuine pace, bounce and aggression who is expected to go on to great things. Still somewhat raw, Hossain nevertheless has an easy, open-chested action that suggests he could go on for some years. Holds the honour of being the first ever Bangladeshi bowler to take a one-day hat-trick, as he did against Zimbabwe in 2006.

Tapash Baisya

Born: 25.12.1982
ODIs: 56
Role: Bowler
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 12.00
Strike-Rate: 58.33
Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
Average: 41.55
Economy: 5.64

Tall and wiry right-arm fast-medium bowler with a slingy action. Suffered a little early on in his career after he - along with the likes of Mortaza - were thrown in at a young age at the start of Bangladesh's Test status, but has built on his raw pace to become one of his country's more reliable performers. Wholehearted cricketer capable of big hitting at the end of the innings.

Syed Rasel

Born: 03.07.1984
ODIs: 26
Role: Bowler
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 4.60
Strike-Rate: 48.42
Bowl: Left fast-med
Average: 26.40
Economy: 4.06

A left-arm medium-fast bowler who can swing the ball both ways, Rasel's bowling style has been compared to that of Chaminda Vaas. Has been in and out of the ODI side recently after a foot injury sustained in a motorbike accident limited his appearances in the Champions Trophy, but his excellent economy rate was probably enough to secure his spot in the World Cup squad.

Mohammad Rafique

Born: 05.09.1970
ODIs: 121
Role: Bowler
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 13.55
Strike-Rate: 71.48
Bowl: Left-arm slow
Average: 38.84
Economy: 4.37

Veteran orthodox left-arm spinner who will probably retire after the competition. Possesses good accuracy and rhythm and has over 100 one-day wickets and more than a 1,000 runs to his name. Like some of the great spinners, his action was reported to the ICC shortly after Bangladesh's first Test in 2000, but has bounced back to become a stalwart of the squad.

Abdur Razzak

Born: 15.06.1982
ODIs: 47
Role: Bowler
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 12.21
Strike-Rate: 71.84
Bowl: Left-arm slow
Average: 21.94
Economy: 3.87

Razzak is a left-arm orthodox spinner who has potential with the bat, but has not yet really delivered. Another spinner who has had his action called into question, Razzak's primary role is to pin down batsman and stem the flow of runs, which could be a valuable commodity on the unpredictable new pitches in the Carribbean.