Cricket World Cup 2007 Preview: Bangladesh and Kenya

[This is the seventh in a series of collaborative articles assessing the merits and demerits of the teams competing for cricket's World Cup in March/April in the West Indies.]

Sibin Mohan

Bangladesh and Kenya are the minnows of world cricket, but both have pulled off stunning upsets in the past, especially in the World Cup. Kenya famously beat West Indies in the '96 edition of the World Cup while Bangladesh beat Pakistan in the '99 edition in England.

More recently, Bangladesh was able to pull off an unthinkable feat for many teams around the world - beating an in-form, full-fledged Australian team in an ODI. This coupled with their recent series win over Zimbabwe will have pushed their confidence up, and they are shown a bit more respect on the cricketing field. Anyone who underestimates them will do so at their own peril.

But being cast in the same group as two other Asian powerhouses (India and Sri Lanka) means that they will have a tough time even qualifying for the super eights, although, playing like they have in the last few years, an upset in the early rounds of the World Cup is not unthinkable and I believe that Sri Lanka might be the ones to suffer.

Prediction: Bangladesh may be a surprise qualifier for the Super Eight.

Zainub Razvi

Ever since Dave Whatmore has taken over the reigns as coach following the last World Cup, Bangladesh have shown constant improvement. From their very first shock victory, against Pakistan back in the 1999 World Cup, to their Cardiff miracle against Australia in 2005, Bangladesh have always given glimpses of the abundance of talent they possess. But now finally, after maiden wins against India and Sri Lanka also in the bag, and a thorough run for some of the bigger sides, including Australia and Pakistan, even at the test level, Bangladesh look like a side that can convert some of that enormous talent they possess into promises for the future.

Still a young and relatively inexperienced team, Bangladesh has nevertheless come a long away. The quartet of skipper Habibul Bashar, middle order batsmen Mohammad Ashraful, the tireless left arm spinner Mohammad Rafique and the exciting fast bowling all-rounder Mashrafe Murtaza, the only four players in the current squad with previous World Cup experience, have shown us in recent times that they're good enough to win matches for Bangladesh on their own against any opposition.

Add the fact that Bangladesh are placed alongside India, Sri Lanka and Bermuda in Group B, all teams they have recently beaten, and are capable of beating again, especially if any complacency creeps in amongst the ranks of the bigger boys, you can't help but feel they have a realistic chance. Remember that they'll only need to beat one of India or Sri Lanka to progress to the next round, provided they win their other game against Bermuda, which they should. Making it to the Super Eights though, if they pull it off, might be as far as they can realistically aim to go, but even that alone, if it happens, would be Bangladesh's best ever result in the World Cup.

Prediction: Narrowly miss out on Super Eights spot.

Sibin Mohan

Kenya will think themselves to be a more legitimate team, considering that this is their fourth outing in a world cup. They did beat Bangladesh in the 2003 World Cup and so will fancy their chances a bit more. Gone are the days of Maurice Odumbe, who after defeating Lara's West Indies team told him, "A few years ago I asked for your autograph and you wouldn't give it. Now I am saying you can have mine!" Their financial troubles and lack of support from the government seems to have taken them on a downward spiral. This is the team that beat three test playing nations on their way to a semi-final berth at the 2003 World Cup. They have some good, gutsy players in Steve Tikolo, Thomas Odoya, Ravindu Shah and Martin Suji and the first game against Canada should prove to be a welcome boost to their confidence.

Prediction: Kenya might qualify for the super eights. Again this will entail an upset over New Zealand or England.

Zainub Razvi

Kenya's shock win against Sri Lanka and its eventual run into the semifinal of the previous edition of the World Cup, is an easy fact to forget. It was after all, part fluke, part good cricket, but of the various minnows that have taken part in the World Cup over the years, Kenya has been one of the stronger teams, also having beaten West Indies in the 1996 edition. You would think the dream semifinal run of four years ago would have given cricket in that country a tremendous boast, but in truth, the progress Kenya has made since their heroics last time is open to debate.

Their international exposure remained limited to the minnows, and when they did get to play the big test guns, they were whitewashed even by Bangladesh, and surrendered very quickly against the likes of India and Pakistan in 2004 Champions Trophy. An internal pay-dispute between the players and the board recently saw the players go on an ill-advised strike, before things were eventually amicably resolved, but their performances against other associate nations have remained consistent and comprehensive throughout, which has given fans in Kenya, a reason to remain hopeful.

They lost only one game on their way to winning the recent World Cricket League where they defeated Scotland by 8 wickets in the finals, with players like Thomas Odoyo and Peter Ongondo making a real mark. The old names of Steve Tikolo and Ravindu Shah will still be much relied upon, but you have to feel, that if Kenya are to have any chance of making an upset entry into the 2nd round ahead of their group C rivals England, New Zealand and Canada, it is their younger players that will have to deliver some miracles. And had it not been of the recent upturn in the fortunes of New Zealand and England, you would even give them an outside chance, but as things are now, Kenya might find it extremely difficult to repeat their fairy tail run again. Super Eights in the 2011 version in the sub-continent could be a more realistic aim.

Prediction: Will only win a single game against Canada.

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Also Read Our Other Previews: India
Pakistan
West Indies
South Africa
Sri Lanka
New Zealand
England
Zimbabwe
Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Bermuda, Netherlands