Saif Hasan has identified the 2027 ODI World Cup as a central objective, saying Bangladesh must use their upcoming ODI fixtures to secure direct qualification and strengthen long-term squad stability.
Bangladesh is scheduled to play 23 One Day Internationals before 31 March 2027. To qualify automatically for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, the team must finish among the top eight Full Members in the ICC ODI rankings by that deadline. The qualification pathway places added emphasis on consistency across bilateral series over the next two years.
Saif Hasan said early preparation would be critical to Bangladesh’s ambitions. “There’s an ODI World Cup ahead which is very important for us, so the sooner we prepare ourselves for it, the better it will be,” he said.
The right-handed batter has worked to re-establish himself in international cricket after limited opportunities in the 50-over format. His resurgence began with notable performances in last year’s Asia Cup T20, which led to his inclusion in the ODI squad.
Saif Hasan made a strong impression in his most recent ODI outing during Bangladesh’s home series against West Indies in October. He scored 80 off 72 balls in the decisive third match, helping Bangladesh secure a 2-1 series victory.
Reflecting on his limited exposure to ODIs over the past year, Saif Hasan said match preparation during gaps between formats had become increasingly important. “If you look at the last year or year and a half, I didn’t really get many opportunities to play ODIs. We did play a few, but those were in between T20Is,” he said.
“With an ODI series coming up, it’s an opportunity for us. Our preparation during these in-between periods has become even more important,” he added.
Bangladesh’s performance in the upcoming ODI calendar will directly influence their ICC ranking position and determine whether they avoid the qualification tournament. Team management has emphasised squad continuity and strategic planning as part of a broader effort to strengthen competitiveness ahead of the 2027 global tournament.
