Bangladesh

Bangladesh caused a stir in the inaugral World Twenty20 in South Africa when they reached the Super Eight stage after beating West Indies.

They will be confident of replicating that feat this year having been drawn in Group A alongside India and minnows Ireland.

Capable of giving any side a game, although equally liable to collapse, Bangladesh rely heavily on captain Mohammad Ashraful, exciting opener Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

In 10 Twenty20 internationals leading into the tournament, Bangladesh have won just three times, the most recent being three years ago.

Mohammad Ashraful (captain)
The youngest batsman to score a Test century, aged just 17, Ashraful clearly has plenty of talent at his disposal. A one-day hundred against Australia further enhanced his reputation as Bangladesh’s premier batsman. Captaining the side, he will have a big say in their success.

Mashrafe Mortaza
A fast and aggressive strike bowler, Mortaza leads Bangladesh’s attack with a mixture of short-pitched bowling and a nagging line outside off stump, although injuries have curtailed his progress. He has match-winning abilities: his 4-44 inspired his country’s first ODI victory, over New Zealand, and, with IPL experience, he will be a threat in England.

Zunaed Siddique
A 21-year-old opening batsman who has struggled for consistency since his arrival on to the international scene, Siddique can be devastating at the top of the order on his day. Able to bowl useful off-spin, he could play a vital part.

Roqibul Hassan
Aged 21 and with limited Twenty20 experience, Hassan has a lot to learn before he becomes a force for Bangladesh. But with a highest first-class score of 313 not out, he clearly knows what he is doing at the crease and will hope for the chance to prove his worth.

Mushfiqur Rahim
Originally brought into the team as Khaled Mashud’s understudy behind the stumps, Rahim is now Bangladesh’s first choice wicketkeeper. Capable of some lusty lower-order hitting, he needs to step up to the mark in England.

Naeem Islam
A useful batsman who can bowl, Islam will add depth to Bangladesh’s batting with his impressive strokeplay and will give his side another option with his wily off-breaks.

Abdur Razzak
After having his bowling action cleared by the ICC, the left-armer spinner is sure to be one of Bangladesh’s most potent threats with the ball. With 81 ODIs to his name, he has vast experience.

Shakib Al Hasan
Undoubtedly one of the star performers in the Bangladesh team, Al Hasan is a bowling all-rounder. His left-arm spin has caused problems to some of the best batsman in the world and an ODI century means he will be expected to score crucial runs down the order as well if Bangladesh are to progress.

Shahadat Hossain
An exciting fast bowler, Hossain has an ODI hat-trick to boast about and is one of Bangladesh’s most exciting prospects. He can be slightly wayward at times, but is still expected to be a key player for his side.

Syed Rasel
Another left-arm bowler, Rasel is also a highly-thought of young prospect in the Bangladesh ranks. A similar approach and action to the legendary Sri Lanka seamer Chaminda Vaas, he will hope he can be half as successful at the top level.

Mahmudullah
A talented all-rounder, he is sure to be one of the main players for Bangladesh throughout the tournament. His off-spin has already caused a stir in England after he took four wickets against Australia in a warm-up match, whilst his powerful hitting will be a big asset.

Rubel Hossain
With just five ODI appearances under his belt, Hossain is an inexperienced pace bowler. However, he is tall and can get the ball through with good speed, so could cause opposition batsman trouble.

Tamim Iqbal
The 22-year-old left-handed batsman is generally regarded as Bangladesh’s most promising talent. He scored 84 not out on his Test debut and was a member of the 2007 World Cup squad. Extravagant through the off side and wristy through the leg, Bangladesh will be relying heavily on Tamim’s runs.

Shamsur Rahman
A player with no international experience before arriving in England, Rahman is something of a wildcard pick for this tournament. He has scored runs for the Under-19s and the A side and will hope to make the step up.

Mohammad Mithun
The 19-year-old wicketkeeper is another youngster with no international experience and comes to the tournament as Mushfiqur Rahim’s understudy. He is an attacking batsman , but is unlikely to get much time on the field in England.