The logic behind ODI pace strategy
Just a week ago it was a four-pronged spin attack that spearheaded the Tigers' bowling attack as they dismantled the West Indies in a two-match Test series. However, Bangladesh's strategy will do a complete 180 when it comes to the fifty-over format, as pacers take centre stage.
Pace-heavy sides have worked out fairly well for the Tigers. Seamers have picked up 73 wickets in 17 ODIs so far in 2018 at an average of 26.01 while spinners have bagged 45 scalps, averaging 34.82.
The fast bowling department will be led by inspirational captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and the Narail Express, who will be featuring in his 200th game today as the first of the three-match ODI series begins, will be providing the experience in that area which the Tigers lacked in the longest format.
A reflection of how well the pacers have been doing in the format is provided by the fact that the ODI squad boasts six pacers in Mashrafe, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider, Mohammad Saifuddin and Ariful Haque.
Mashrafe said that he would back having three pacers in the playing eleven, adding that it was the fast bowlers who played crucial roles in the team's successes in the limited-overs format.
"It's important whether or not the result is in your favour. We have played three fast bowlers in the side even on flat pitches because there is a disadvantage for spinners in the ODI format as there are Powerplays till the 40th over. It is easy to hit spinners when you have five fielders inside the circle but fast bowlers can block a certain area and bowl," Mashrafe told reporters in Mirpur yesterday as he highlighted the reason for picking pacers ahead of spinners in ODIs.
"Unless a spinner does something extraordinary... it's not Test cricket. The situation in Tests does not happen in one-dayers. In the ODI format the batters will play shots and will look to score regardless of the opposition. Obviously Shakib [Al Hasan] and [Mehedi Hasan] Miraz are doing well, but our successes came from the pacers even on flat tracks. So it's important to take care of that," the skipper added.
