Tigers aim to play in second round of Twenty20 World Championship
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful Monday said they have a target to play in the second round of the ensuing Twenty20 World Championship to be held in South Africa next month, reports UNB.
"We'll definitely try to play good cricket… have a target to play in the second round, so we have to beat either of the two teams (South Africa and West Indies)," he said at a press conference at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Interim coach Shaun Williams along with all the other members of the South Africa-bound 15-member squad expressed their optimism before the media one by one.
Ashraful, who will lead the young Bangladesh side for the first time in an international twenty20 meet, said: "We had successful training over the last two weeks, first in the SI&T in Sylhet and then the skill development and match practices at Mirpur."
He added: "We played two practice matches daily and in the last practice match, we played as per our expectations."
Replying to a query, the ace batsman said twenty20 cricket is quite different from Test cricket and ODIs. "Everything is possible in shorter version cricket if a side plays well," he added recalling that his side beat South Africa in this year's World Cup cricket.
Vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, whose side won all the practice matches against Ashraful-led side, said: "If all the team members are able to play natural cricket, our side will be able to beat any team."
Asked about the conditions in South Africa, which is different from West Indies (World Cup 2007), he said: "I think if we worry too much about the wicket, we will fall behind. If we are able to play our natural and positive cricket, we will be able to bring good result."
Coach from Australia Shaun Williams seemed quite pleased after the last practice match where both the sides (Ashraful XI and Mashrafe XI) put up a good show.
In the day's last twenty20 practice match, Mashrafe XI (191/4) outplayed Ashraful XI (189/6) by six wickets.
"Until Monday we struggled in batting, but the batting clicked at the right moment," Williams said. "The result of the match today was a very pleasing one and hopefully, we got it right at the right time."
About the target of his side, he said: "If we can score 170 to 180, we will have a very good chance."
All rounder Alok Kapali, who has been in tremendous form in the practice matches, said: "I always try to play my natural game and wait for the bad balls when batting."
He said that he had made some changes in his batting style from the way he used to play in the ODIs and Tests.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak Raj, who will lead the spin attack in absence of veteran Mohammad Rafique, said that he feels no pressure and promised to deliver his 100 per cent.
Replying to a query, he said: "In twenty20 cricket, it becomes costly for the bowlers as they get less time (4 overs)… no scope to recover after committing any mistake."
Dashing batsman Aftab Ahmed said he would try to play as the situation demands.
New ball bowler Syed Rasel said he is not worried about his pace as "swing is the main ingredient in my armory."
Left-hand opener Tamim Iqbal, who is expected to give a flying start to the Bangladesh innings, said: "I've not played many twenty20 matches. Whatever I have learnt playing the 4 to 5 practice matches, I'll try to apply those."
After having a weeklong commando training at the SI&T in Sylhet and playing some practice matches against the BCB Academy team and between the squad members, the national cricketers is scheduled to start for Kenya Wednesday morning to take part in a four-nation twenty20 tournament.
The Bengal Tigers will leave Kenya for South Africa on September 6 to take part in the first ever twenty20 World Championship.
Placed in Group A of the twenty20 Championship along with hosts South Africa and West Indies, Bangladesh will play their first match against West Indies on Sept. 13 at Johannesburg.
Bangladesh squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice-captain), Aftab Ahmed Chowdhury, Tamim Iqbal, Forhad Reza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Syed Rasel, Sakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Mahmudullah Riyad, Abdur Razzak Raj, Nadif Chowdhury, Junaid Imroz Siddiqui, Mohammad Nazimuddin and Ziaur Rahman.
Officials: Team Operations Manager - Tanjib Ahsan Saad, Head Coach - Shaun Williams, Bowling Coach - Sarwar Imran, Fielding Coach - Mohammad Salahuddin, Fitness Coach - Paul Chapman, Physio - Ajmal Hossain Mitu, Computer Analyst - Nasir Ahmed.
National selector Akram Khan and Media Manager Rabeed Imam will accompany the team to South Africa.
"We'll definitely try to play good cricket… have a target to play in the second round, so we have to beat either of the two teams (South Africa and West Indies)," he said at a press conference at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Interim coach Shaun Williams along with all the other members of the South Africa-bound 15-member squad expressed their optimism before the media one by one.
Ashraful, who will lead the young Bangladesh side for the first time in an international twenty20 meet, said: "We had successful training over the last two weeks, first in the SI&T in Sylhet and then the skill development and match practices at Mirpur."
He added: "We played two practice matches daily and in the last practice match, we played as per our expectations."
Replying to a query, the ace batsman said twenty20 cricket is quite different from Test cricket and ODIs. "Everything is possible in shorter version cricket if a side plays well," he added recalling that his side beat South Africa in this year's World Cup cricket.
Vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, whose side won all the practice matches against Ashraful-led side, said: "If all the team members are able to play natural cricket, our side will be able to beat any team."
Asked about the conditions in South Africa, which is different from West Indies (World Cup 2007), he said: "I think if we worry too much about the wicket, we will fall behind. If we are able to play our natural and positive cricket, we will be able to bring good result."
Coach from Australia Shaun Williams seemed quite pleased after the last practice match where both the sides (Ashraful XI and Mashrafe XI) put up a good show.
In the day's last twenty20 practice match, Mashrafe XI (191/4) outplayed Ashraful XI (189/6) by six wickets.
"Until Monday we struggled in batting, but the batting clicked at the right moment," Williams said. "The result of the match today was a very pleasing one and hopefully, we got it right at the right time."
About the target of his side, he said: "If we can score 170 to 180, we will have a very good chance."
All rounder Alok Kapali, who has been in tremendous form in the practice matches, said: "I always try to play my natural game and wait for the bad balls when batting."
He said that he had made some changes in his batting style from the way he used to play in the ODIs and Tests.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak Raj, who will lead the spin attack in absence of veteran Mohammad Rafique, said that he feels no pressure and promised to deliver his 100 per cent.
Replying to a query, he said: "In twenty20 cricket, it becomes costly for the bowlers as they get less time (4 overs)… no scope to recover after committing any mistake."
Dashing batsman Aftab Ahmed said he would try to play as the situation demands.
New ball bowler Syed Rasel said he is not worried about his pace as "swing is the main ingredient in my armory."
Left-hand opener Tamim Iqbal, who is expected to give a flying start to the Bangladesh innings, said: "I've not played many twenty20 matches. Whatever I have learnt playing the 4 to 5 practice matches, I'll try to apply those."
After having a weeklong commando training at the SI&T in Sylhet and playing some practice matches against the BCB Academy team and between the squad members, the national cricketers is scheduled to start for Kenya Wednesday morning to take part in a four-nation twenty20 tournament.
The Bengal Tigers will leave Kenya for South Africa on September 6 to take part in the first ever twenty20 World Championship.
Placed in Group A of the twenty20 Championship along with hosts South Africa and West Indies, Bangladesh will play their first match against West Indies on Sept. 13 at Johannesburg.
Bangladesh squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice-captain), Aftab Ahmed Chowdhury, Tamim Iqbal, Forhad Reza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Syed Rasel, Sakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Mahmudullah Riyad, Abdur Razzak Raj, Nadif Chowdhury, Junaid Imroz Siddiqui, Mohammad Nazimuddin and Ziaur Rahman.
Officials: Team Operations Manager - Tanjib Ahsan Saad, Head Coach - Shaun Williams, Bowling Coach - Sarwar Imran, Fielding Coach - Mohammad Salahuddin, Fitness Coach - Paul Chapman, Physio - Ajmal Hossain Mitu, Computer Analyst - Nasir Ahmed.
National selector Akram Khan and Media Manager Rabeed Imam will accompany the team to South Africa.