Bangladesh have slumped to 10th in the ICC ODI rankings—their lowest position since 2006—following the annual update released on 5 May 2025. The Tigers fell one place and dropped four rating points to 81, overtaken by a resurgent West Indies. The decline is a sharp contrast to the team’s golden period a decade ago and has raised serious questions about the state of Bangladeshi cricket.
Back in 2015, Bangladesh were one of the most exciting teams in world cricket. Their World Cup campaign that year included a famous win over England and a run to the quarter-finals. That summer, they swept Pakistan, India, and South Africa in home series and climbed to seventh in the world rankings. In 2017, they reached the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy, with a brilliant 224-run stand between Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah standing out as a highlight.
Since then, however, progress has stalled. The 3-0 ODI series defeat to the West Indies in December 2024 exposed familiar problems, especially with the bat. Bangladesh’s top order collapsed repeatedly under pressure, and fans took to social media to express frustration at the team’s ongoing decline. Their World Cup performance in 2023 offered little comfort, with just two wins from nine matches and an eighth-place finish.
Part of the problem lies in the transition of key players. Mahmudullah has retired, and Mushfiqur Rahim’s role in the ODI setup has been reduced. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, while reaching a personal best ranking of 24th in ODIs last year, has struggled to bring consistency to the batting line-up. Bangladesh’s reliance on spin-friendly home pitches continues to be a weakness when playing abroad.
Off the field, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has also faced criticism. The 2025 central contract controversy—where Mahmudullah opted out and Mushfiqur was demoted—fuelled perceptions of poor management and instability. A shallow talent pool, especially in pace bowling, and inconsistent team selection have only added to the team’s struggles. With India due to tour Bangladesh for a white-ball series in August, there’s pressure on the BCB to act. The team needs better planning, smarter selection, and greater investment in youth if it is to return to its former heights.
For now, Bangladesh’s roar has quietened—but the fight d perceptions of poor management and instability. A shallow talent pool, especially in pace bowling, and inconsistent team selection have only added to the team’s struggles.
An ESPNcricinfo analyst noted, “Bangladesh’s failure to build a strong bench has left them exposed to injuries and retirements.”
With India due to tour Bangladesh for a white-ball series in August, there’s pressure on the BCB to act. The team needs better planning, smarter selection, and greater investment in youth if it is to return to its former heights.
For now, Bangladesh’s roar has quietened—but the fight to reclaim their place among the elite is far from over.