A trio of hopefuls

Bangladesh will start their build up to the ICC T20 World Cup, slated to be held in Australia in October, with the upcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies starting from July 2. Bangladesh's performance in the last T20 World Cup was disappointing as the Tigers lost to Scotland in the qualifying phase before losing all of their games in the Super 10 stage. T20I Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad and the team management will be keen to form a stable unit ahead of the mega-event and there are a few contenders for spots, who will be hoping to make a case in the T20I series against the West Indies. The Daily Star tried to focus on some of the prospects that have a chance to cement a place as T20 specialists.

MUNIM SHAHRIAR

After an impressive in the latest Bangladesh Premier League campaign, young right-handed opener Munim Shahriar caught selectors' eyes before eventually making his T20I debut against Afghanistan in March this year. The 24-year-old has had little impact initially, scoring 17 on his international debut and following that up with just two runs in his next outing. But the hard-hitting right-hander will get another opportunity in the Caribbean in the upcoming T20I series as the team management looks someone who can ignite an explosive start in the shortest format. Although the Mymensigh native starred for finalists Fortune Barishal in the BPL with 178 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 152, it is that fearless attitude that the team management would most want him to replicate in the international circuit.

NASUM AHMED

Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed has emerged as one of the crucial cogs in the Tigers' T20I unit with his ability to keep things tight. The 27-year-old has successfully demonstrated his abilities to bowl accurately with the new ball and has managed to provide early breakthroughs. He plays a handy role alongside left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan and also played a pivotal role in T20I wins against New Zealand and Australia at home last year. The lad from Sylhet scalped eight wickets in those two series and managed to trouble batters. He also boasts a decent economy rate of just under seven per over across 20 T20Is, but Nasum's biggest challenge will be to show his prowess away from home, where pitches offer less to spinners.

MAHEDI HASAN

Off-spinning all-rounder Mahedi Hasan has been a prolific performer in the domestic circuit and has shown great promise on his comeback to the T20I side in 2020 after being dropped following his debut in 2018.

His ability to bowl with the new ball has been a highlight, with Mahedi scalping 25 wickets in 31 games at an economy rate of 6.51. The 27-year-old is also considered a handy option with the bat and he has been utilised as a floating batter that can either chance his arms at the top or chip in with some crucial runs in the lower middle order. The fact that he is an outstanding fielder makes him the complete package that Bangladesh have been searching for.