Our target is to make it to last four: Mahmudul Hasan
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Bangladesh Under 19 Team will leave for New Zealand tonight to participate in the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup 2010, reports BSS.
On the eve of their departure Bangladesh captain Mahmudul Hasan, head coach Minhajul Abedin and team manager Tanjeeb Ahsan spoke to the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday (Wednesday) while he was asked about the team's strength and weakness and the difference between the present team and the squad in the last U 19 World Cup of which he had been a member, skipper Mahmudul Hasan said, " We have a strong fielding side. The batting has come together nicely. If I have to comment on weakness then I guess we have a lot of room for improvement in the pace bowling area.
"I think the main difference between the last Under 19 team and the present one is that there was an age gap between players last time around and in this team we are all around the same age level. We have been given the opportunity to grow as a team and therefore, the team spirit is excellent. We know each other really well and there is great camaraderie.
"Our target is to make it to the last four in the World Cup which we are capable of, said captain Hasan.
Coach Minhajul Abedin Nannu talking about the preparation said, "We started in last April and have played a good number of games at home and away against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The core group has remained together and we have had some very impressive performances along the way. If I have to be critical then I would say that we are 90 per cent there.
"It's true that we have not played in New Zealand conditions before but the trip to England last year should help in countering that. Also, for the last one month or so the conditions at home have been similar. It has been chilly and the teams have struggled with dew in the ongoing Tri-Nation. In the last tournament we played in Sri Lanka, the wickets had grass although the weather was really humid and sultry.
"Our goal is to reach the last four. We have not managed to do that in past events and therefore, it is not a bad target to set and something we can achieve. I say this because from what I have seen so far we are probably at the standard of the top four teams in terms of strength. There is not a big difference."
Talking about his team, Nannu said, "There are three who I believe will do well at any level. Opening batsman Anamul Haque has been a brilliant find. Very positive and fearless. The skipper (Mahmudul) has been our most consistent performer with the bat and the ball. Shabbir Rahaman is an exciting leg-break bowler who also has tremendous ability with the bat.
"I am also excited about the fact that we are taking two specialist leg spinners to New Zealand (Shabbir and Nur Hossain). As a part of strategy we may even open the bowling in New Zealand a la Dipak Patel in 1992. I have a lot of faith in this team."
Manager Tanjeeb Ahsan said, " I can tell you that you won't find a more disciplined side. Discipline is one of the pre-requisites for success and if the players can combine that with the performance that they are capable of, then I can am very confident that we will do really well in New Zealand."
On the eve of their departure Bangladesh captain Mahmudul Hasan, head coach Minhajul Abedin and team manager Tanjeeb Ahsan spoke to the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday (Wednesday) while he was asked about the team's strength and weakness and the difference between the present team and the squad in the last U 19 World Cup of which he had been a member, skipper Mahmudul Hasan said, " We have a strong fielding side. The batting has come together nicely. If I have to comment on weakness then I guess we have a lot of room for improvement in the pace bowling area.
"I think the main difference between the last Under 19 team and the present one is that there was an age gap between players last time around and in this team we are all around the same age level. We have been given the opportunity to grow as a team and therefore, the team spirit is excellent. We know each other really well and there is great camaraderie.
"Our target is to make it to the last four in the World Cup which we are capable of, said captain Hasan.
Coach Minhajul Abedin Nannu talking about the preparation said, "We started in last April and have played a good number of games at home and away against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The core group has remained together and we have had some very impressive performances along the way. If I have to be critical then I would say that we are 90 per cent there.
"It's true that we have not played in New Zealand conditions before but the trip to England last year should help in countering that. Also, for the last one month or so the conditions at home have been similar. It has been chilly and the teams have struggled with dew in the ongoing Tri-Nation. In the last tournament we played in Sri Lanka, the wickets had grass although the weather was really humid and sultry.
"Our goal is to reach the last four. We have not managed to do that in past events and therefore, it is not a bad target to set and something we can achieve. I say this because from what I have seen so far we are probably at the standard of the top four teams in terms of strength. There is not a big difference."
Talking about his team, Nannu said, "There are three who I believe will do well at any level. Opening batsman Anamul Haque has been a brilliant find. Very positive and fearless. The skipper (Mahmudul) has been our most consistent performer with the bat and the ball. Shabbir Rahaman is an exciting leg-break bowler who also has tremendous ability with the bat.
"I am also excited about the fact that we are taking two specialist leg spinners to New Zealand (Shabbir and Nur Hossain). As a part of strategy we may even open the bowling in New Zealand a la Dipak Patel in 1992. I have a lot of faith in this team."
Manager Tanjeeb Ahsan said, " I can tell you that you won't find a more disciplined side. Discipline is one of the pre-requisites for success and if the players can combine that with the performance that they are capable of, then I can am very confident that we will do really well in New Zealand."