Shahriar Nafees in World Cup Cricket 2007

Shahriar Nafees is one of the most consistent Bangladeshi batsmen at this moment. Ahead of World Cup Cricket 2007, he is one of the most important players for the Bangladesh side. The year 2006 was very successful for this left handed batsman as he became the first Bangladeshi batsman to score 1000 runs in a calendar year. With the inclusion of Shahriar Nafees, Bangladesh got relieved of two problems. The first problem is of a quality opener who can perform consistently. The second problem was that before his coming in to the team, Bangladesh lacked a specialist left handed batsman.

Shahriar Nafees is now the vice captain of the Bangladesh cricket team. While he was in the Under-19 team, his coach Richard McInness said that he had the capability to become the captain of Bangladesh cricket team. He was first assigned as the vice captain for the last ICC Champions Trophy 2006. He got his test match debut against Sri Lanka in 2005 and in the same year he played his first ODI match against England.

Let’s have a look at his career statistics. He is one of the rare Bangladeshi players who are successful in both forms of cricket. He has 1495 runs at an average of 40.40 playing 41 ODI matches. Having an average of 40 in the ODI match is a rare feat among the Bangladeshi batsmen. In test cricket, he scored 402 runs in just 6 tests at an average of 33.50, with one century. He has 4 ODI centuries in his career.

The stats are with him. He will have to show some good scores in World Cup Cricket 2007. Specially, I would love to see him shine in the matches against India and Sri Lanka. If he can shine then I would not get surprised to see Bangladesh causing an upset or two. I think he can play a vital role for Bangladesh to make this world cup a success story for the team.

ICC Cricket World Cup