Fragile Bangladesh aim to fill ICL void

	Bangladesh's recent record is poor, they have lost several key players, and their captain's place is under the scanner © AFP

There is one big question ahead of Bangladesh's home series against New Zealand: how will a team, already struggling to justify its status as a Test-playing nation, cope with the loss of 14 players to the ICL? The likes of Habibul Bashar and Mohammad Rafique may not be key figures anymore, but Bangladesh will surely feel the pinch of an exodus that includes several recent internationals. At full strength, they have failed to challenge major opposition since the World Cup last year and, with the talent pool now depleted, few would bet a change of odds against New Zealand.

On their last international assignment - a three-ODI series in Darwin - Bangladesh were humbled by Australia, with batting failures largely to blame. Glaringly, Mohammad Ashraful's own place in the side is under scrutiny following wretched form. But the dismal tour has been overshadowed the exodus to the ICL. While Bangladesh play New Zealand the Dhaka Warriors, comprising the ICL's Bangladesh recruits led by former captain Bashar, will be showcasing their talent in India.

Bangladesh's insipid batting has been the reason behind their recent failures, and the exit of Aftab Ahmed, Shariar Nafees, Alok Kapali and Nazimuddin is potentially massive. The biggest problem is at the top of the order. Tamim Iqbal has been Bangladesh's leading run-scorer this year - and the only one to average over 30 - but they have been unable to find him a capable partner.

Both Nafees and Nazimuddin are in the ICL, while Junaid Siddique and Mehrab Hossain jnr have struggled to make it past single figures. In their last nine ODIs, Bangladesh's openers have not managed a first-wicket stand over 20. Two of their three uncapped players named in the squad, Imrul Kayes and Naeem Islam, are top-order batsmen and could get a chance.

Mahbubul Alam is the new face in a bowling attack that managed to restrict Australia to below 200 during the recent ODIs. But it is unlikely he will play, with Mashrafe Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain and left-armer Syed Rasel in the squad. The spinners are likely to play a key role, and Bangladesh will rely on Abdur Razzak and allrounders Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah.

Bangladesh are perhaps not ideal opposition before an Australian challenge, but it is the ideal opportunity for Daniel Vettori's side to gain confidence. Although their only warm-up game of the tour was washed out, they will head into the three one-day internationals with hopes of a sweep, which will move them up to No. 2 in the ICC ODI rankings. The postponement of the Champions Trophy allowed New Zealand to arrive early and acclimatise to conditions in Bangladesh, and Vettori expects nothing less than victory in the ODIs and two Tests. If it works out, it would be a repeat of their tour in 2004 and last season's home series.

New Zealand lost both their home and away Test series against England earlier in the year but they have been more successful in limited-overs games. They beat England 3-1 both home and away. New Zealand have won their last five ODIs, the recent two beind comprehensive wins against Scotland and Ireland.

New Zealand' s slightly revamped batting - Peter Fulton and James Marshall have been dropped - will be bolstered by the return of opener Jesse Ryder after he nearly jeopardised his career in February by punching a window. However, barring Scott Styris, the line-up is largely inexperienced. For the likes of Jamie How and the developing Ross Taylor, this tour is the first in the subcontinent.

Allrounders lend the team a good balance, while Tim Southee and Kyle Mills form a potent pace attack. Vettori's left-arm spin could prove a handful: on his last tour of Bangladesh he topped the wickets chart in both the Tests and ODIs. His seven ODI wickets came at an average under ten.

The first ODI is in Mirpur on October 9, followed by matches on the 11th and 14th.