Confident Bangladesh out to bust World T20 ghosts

Ten hours after finishing an emotionally-charged Asia Cup final, Bangladesh flew off to New Delhi from Dhaka before taking a chartered flight to Dharamsala. Abu Hider even posted a selfie on Facebook with bowling coach Heath Streak to confirm their arrival. It has been their most whirlwind schedule in recent memory, especially between two major tournaments.

Captain Mashrafe Mortaza said he hoped such a situation, which would involve looking out for each other, would pull the team closer. Bangladesh has certainly played as a unit since the 2015 World Cup, when they were pushed against the wall. The whole year has gone well for them in ODIs, but now they have to carry that confidence and form into the T20 format.

Mortaza and coach Chandika Hathurusingha have solved the batting-order puzzle to an extent, although their thinking has occasionally gone awry. Case in point was the Asia Cup final, where Mahmudullah was left too late in a 15-over dash. However, the promotion of Sabbir Rahman to no. 3 means that their top three batsmen are all natural big-hitters.

The pace-bowling unit has also worked so far. Despite Mustafizur Rahman's fitness still a concern, he is likely to play a role in the qualifying stage in Dharamsala. Taskin Ahmed's pace and consistency coupled with Al-Amin Hossain's impressive starts with the ball bodes well for the side.

Still, Mortaza will be required to tie up loose ends with Arafat Sunny providing another run-saving option.

What Bangladesh must be worried about is the form of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, having had an under-par year. Shakib's bowling, too, will be crucial to the balance of the team combination. Mahmudullah's form has been heartening, especially as a late hitter, an area where Bangladesh have often struggled in T20s. Nurul Hasan could come in handy at that stage too.

Bangladesh will have to use their strengths to beat Netherlands, Ireland and Oman. A slip-up could cost them T20 progress.

Bangladesh have won seven and lost seven in 14 completed T20Is since the 2014 World T20. Recently, they drew T20I series' against Zimbabwe - 1-1 in November and 2-2 in January - and finished as runners-up in the Asia Cup.

Bangladesh's T20 fortunes revolve around the leadership pair of the captain Mortaza and Hathurusingha. While Mortaza had a more hands-on role in ODI planning, Hathurusingha has tinkered around with their T20 make-up to find the ideal combination.

Bangladesh's preparatory period before the 2016 World T20 trumps those before the 2012 and 2014 competitions for one reason: beating Pakistan and Sri Lanka, two higher-ranked sides.

Mahmudullah has given Bangladesh a great finish with the bat in four consecutive innings in the Asia Cup.

Taskin Ahmed has done the same with the ball, especially in the final, where he conceded less than five runs an over during India's assault.

Sabbir Rahman has grabbed his chances after being promoted to No 3 and has been the team's most consistent run-getter in the nine T20Is this year.

After finishing as runners-up in the Asia Cup, can Bangladesh go past the first round to prove their recent progress in T20s isn't a fluke?

"We now have to start from scratch, even though we played in the Asia Cup final because we have to qualify for the main stage of the World T20. We have to be mentally strong."

Bangladesh have only done well in the inaugural tournament in 2007, when they beat West Indies to move into the second round. They qualified for the main competition in 2014, but not before being shocked by a defeat against Hong Kong.