Tigers face Afghans in World T20 opener at 3:30pm

Bangladesh face two challenges in the World Twenty20 starting on Sunday afternoon. Firstly, to top the group to proceed to the Super Ten stage of the competition. And secondly, to avenge the drubbing they got against Afghanistan in the recently-held Asia Cup cricket tournament, when they confront the Afghans on Sunday. With these targets in mind Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in the Twenty20 World Cup opener at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The first match of the fifth edition of the world T20 event will commence at 3:30pm (Banglaesh standard time), according to a news agency. Defeat against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup is embarrassing incidents in the cricketing history of Bangladesh. Constant trail of failure in Asia Cup has put the Tigers in a state of total dismay. However, victories in two warm-up matches against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ireland helped regain some confidence for the hosts.
Three mainstay of the Bangladesh team Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza were not in the squad during their 'Afghan-trial' on March 1 at Fatulla. Unfortunately, off-spinner Shohag Gazi also left field hurting his fingers after bowling just three balls that day. Their return to the side will raise both Tigers' strength and spirit on Sunday. Anamul Haque will accompany Tamim Iqbal to open the Bangladesh innings, despite the right-hander's failure in the warm-ups. Mushfiq acknowledged that either Mominul Haque or Sabbir Rahman will play in the number three spot. But whoever it is, the skipper expects contributions from everybody in the team. "The role of the first three batsmen is vital in T20. If they provide a good start, there will be less pressure on the middle-order. And we will march on to put up a big total." Mushfiq acknowledged that, they've been suggested to bat according to the wicket. We will bat aggressively from the start if the wicket is good. Our strategy will depend on how the wicket behaves and how the opponents are bowling." The presence of all-rounders will provide options to assemble best eleven, according to Mushfiq. "We will confirm team with accordance to the wicket. Everyone in the team is fit to play. We will try to assemble best eleven according to the situation." The skipper, who prefers to chase targets in ODIs, would rather bat first in the 20 overs cricket. He aims to stack a big total to pressurise Afghanistan.