The perfect format for Bangladesh

It is in Twenty20 that Bangladesh are the most dangerous - just ask West Indies - because they have aggressive players best equipped to deliver in bursts. A nine-ball 21 or a 22-ball 47 can be devastating in this format, and that's one of the strengths of this side.

Their biggest test beyond the pool stage is how they hold their nerve. The volatile nature of the batsmen means that if they don't belt the cover off the ball at the start, they are unsure over how to approach a run-chase. Often it comes down to a pair of batsmen to resurrect the innings and that's where the uncertainty between attacking or nursing the strike can seriously hamper Bangladesh.

Overall Bangladesh's statistics aren't impressive. They've only played ten Twenty20 games, winning three, but they've competed in most every game. Their most famous win came against West Indies in the 2007 edition of this tournament, when their most trigger-happy batsmen, Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed, knocked West Indies out in a vicious manner.

The selectors have again invested in youth and Bangladesh are easily the best of the non-seeded sides and should make the final eight, given that Ireland are far less experienced. Perhaps more than winning this tournament, the selectors have looked at players who can bring results for the future. They have included two teenagers in the squad - a brave move - and the hope will be that a young outfit expresses itself at the highest level. It would be foolish to write them off.

Strengths
In a game that demands athleticism and daring batting, Bangladesh have talented players. Rarely inclined to pace their innings, Tamim Iqbal and Ashraful can decimate bowling attacks. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim have learnt to adjust their game to pressure situations, and as a unit Bangladesh's top order has the capacity to render attacks helpless with slogs, whips, hooks and drag-flicks. The left-arm spin attack of Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan can stem the runs in the middle overs, while Naeem Islam and Mahmudullah offer handy slow-bowling options.

Weaknesses
The batting can too often be hotheaded and the pace bowlers - the outstandingly talented Mashrafe Mortaza included - have a tendency to lose it in the face of adversity. In one warm-up against Australia Tamim and Junaid Siddique thumped Nathan Bracken and Brett Lee in their opening overs only to capitulate later. The pace attack is inexperienced so Mortaza will once more be expected to lead. If he cannot - and it's very difficult to come back from a bad over in Twenty20 - that puts far too much pressure on the slow bowlers.

X-Factor
One of the surprising omissions from the IPL auction, Shakib Al Hasan is a player suited to this format because he can rebuild and outright attack. Plus he's an excellent left-arm spinner and handy fielder. Shakib has the ability to make the difference between an average score and a good one in this format.

Key player
Tamim Iqbal's audacious half-century against India in the 2007 World Cup displayed talent and nerve and is one of the most famous innings by a Bangladesh batsman. He's yet to cross fifty in international Twenty20s yet possesses enough talent to disturb new-ball attacks, as Australia found out in Nottingham this week. Tamim's got all the shots in the book but unfortunately for Bangladesh, just hasn't been able to display them for an extended period in this format. This summer could be a turning point in his career.

Twenty20 form guide
Out of cricket for a while, and not helped by the fact that Pakistan's tour was cancelled, Bangladesh could find themselves rusty going into the tournament. They've won only one of their last six Twenty20s, though their last defeat against South Africa wasn't by a big margin at all.

Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Abdur Razzak, Junaid Siddique, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mithun Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Naeem Islam, Raqibul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Shamsur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Syed Rasel, Tamim Iqbal.