Team preview: Bangladesh

They have tended to punch above their weight in recent multi-nation tournaments. They ran India close in the Asia Cup and the Nidahas Trophy, and made it to the semi-final in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. World Cup wins against Pakistan (1999), India, South Africa (2007) and England (2011 and 2015) are proof of how they are able to raise their game in the big moments, but they will have to do so consistently.

They are currently ranked No.7 on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings, ahead of West Indies, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Strengths and weaknesses

Bangladesh's strength is their experienced core – and that also leads to concerns about their depth. Looking at the total number of caps in a side, they are only behind India. For a while, they have depended on their 'big five' of captain Mashrafe Mortaza, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, opener Tamim Iqbal, wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and middle-order batsman Mahmudullah. However, the recent performances of the likes of Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain and Sabbir Rahman under pressure situations have been encouraging.

The big question is whether these batsman can match the power of some of their contemporaries in the tournament.

Key player: Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib is No.1 on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Rankings for All-rounders. He comes into the tournament slightly light on game time, having missed the series in New Zealand owing to injury and playing just three matches in the IPL. He also missed the tri-series final with a side strain. The coach, however, is convinced he's their fulcrum.

"He seems to have been a little bit forgotten but now he's back as the world's No. 1 all-rounder in ODI cricket – and that's where we think he belongs. He's got a point to prove to make sure everybody else believes that," Steve Rhodes said recently.

X-Factor: Mustafizur Rahman

He's just 23, but the young left-arm pacer already has formidable numbers. His off-cutters are the jewel in his bag of variations, making him Bangladesh's big weapon at the death. In recent times, however, he has also adapted his game to bowl in the slog overs. His big challenge will be to remain fit through the tournament.

Tournament history

Bangladesh made their World Cup debut in the 1999 edition. Their best performance came in 2015, when they made it to the quarter-final, having memorably knocked out England. They also made it to the Super Eight in 2007, having knocked out India.

Recent form (most recent first)

W W W A W L L L W L

Bangladesh were unbeaten in the tri-series in Ireland, but struggled in New Zealand, where they were consigned to a sweep.

Fixtures

2 June: v South Africa, The Oval
5 June: v New Zealand, The Oval
8 June: v England, Cariff Wales Stadium
11 June: v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground
17 June: v West Indies, County Ground, Taunton
20 June: v Australia, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
24 June: v Afghanistan, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
2 July: v India, Edgbaston, Birmingham
5 July: v Pakistan, Lord's London

**Squad:**Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Abu Jayed, Liton Das (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal.