Tigers aim to unleash full potential

As Dallas hosts several matches of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the city's burgeoning cricket scene remains largely unnoticed by many of its residents, including an Ethiopian cab driver who expressed surprise upon learning about the tournament, reports UNB.
The cab driver, who has lived in Dallas for 30 years, was astonished not only to discover that the World Cup was taking place in his city but also that a team from Bangladesh was participating. His reaction is emblematic of a broader unfamiliarity with cricket in the Texan city, despite serving as a key venue for the event.
Dallas is quickly emerging as a hub for cricket in the USA, driven by a favorable climate and a significant South Asian diaspora passionate about the sport. This positive environment is fostering the sport's growth across the country. However, for many residents like the Ethiopian cab driver and Catherine, cricket remains relatively unknown. Both were unable to pinpoint the exact location of the stadium that is becoming a focal point for cricket in the USA.
Amidst this growing but still nascent awareness, the Bangladesh team arrived in Dallas with the aim of regaining some pride after a demoralising series defeat to USA. Their World Cup campaign is set to begin tomorrow (Saturday) against Sri Lanka at 6:30 am (Bangladesh time).
On June 06 (as per BST), the Bangladesh team practiced at a facility adjacent to the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, which can accommodate 7,000 fans. However, the practice area, still seemingly under development, posed challenges for the team's fast bowlers-Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib-who struggled to find sufficient space for their full run-ups. The difficulties faced by Taskin and his fellow pacers highlighted a sense of underpreparedness as their World Cup campaign approached.
Despite having two warm-up matches scheduled before the main event, the team's preparations were hampered.
Their first warm-up match ended in a heavy defeat to India, offering a chance to assess their weaknesses. The second warm-up match against the USA was abandoned due to inclement weather, further disrupting their preparation.
Afif Hossain, a left-handed batter traveling with the Bangladesh team as a standby player, hesitated when asked about the quality of the practice facilities. His reluctant "yes" suggested the facilities were less than ideal for preparing for a major tournament.