Tigers en route to T20 ICC WC with guarded optimism

As the Bangladesh cricket team is set to embark on another T20 World Cup journey to the USA, Head Coach Chandika Hathuru-singha stresses the importance of quick adaptation to unfamiliar conditions and tempers expectations. In their quest for glory, as the head coach believes, Bangladesh may face daunting tasks.

Hathurusingha and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto appeared in a press conference at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city on Wednesday, and shared their thoughts about the T20 World Cup, which is taking place in the USA for the first time, along with the West Indies, report agencies.

The Bangladesh squad will leave Dhaka for Huston via Dubai at 1.40AM today (Thursday).

Bangladesh captain Shanto believes his team is capable of beating any team if they can perform to their true ability in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The Tigers are drawn in a strong group which featured teams like Sri Lanka, South Africa and Nepal. Bangladesh though are believed to beat Nepal with ease, there is strong sense of belief the next three opponents will be tougher for them.

Considering the opponents, it looked a bit tougher for Bangladesh to get through the first round. But Shanto looked quite upbeat to overcome the hurdle of the first round. He stressed on making small plans to get the expected result.

"I think we have to make small plans to get through the first round. We are in a strong group. It will be difficult. There's no big or small team in T20s. If we play well on the particular day, we can beat any team," Shanto said in the official press conference.

Shanto did not rule out playing Shakib Al Hasan at No.3 in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Najmul, who is batting at No. 3 himself in the current batting line-up, was the highest scorer for Bangladesh in the last edition of ICC T20 World Cup where he batted as an opener- a slot that now has three options in Tanzid Hossain, Soumya Sarkar and out of form Litton Das.

Shakib, who was comfortable batting at three in the shortest format, is currently batting at five with Towhid Hridoy batting at four.

"It depends on the condition and the strength of the opposition but it can happen (Shakib going at number three)," Najmul said.

When asked whether he is ready to open again in the shortest format, he did not rule out that possibility either."It (my going back to open) also depends (on lot of factors)," he said.

Shanto added that they want the senior duo Shakib al Hasan and Mahmudullah to enjoy their cricket in the World Cup as that might be their last appearance in an ICC event.

"I am not aware whether this is their (Shakib and Mahmudullah's) last World Cup or not because this is a speculation. We who are young at age will certainly want to give them a good memory considering they are playing for so long and giving them a good World Cup is our duty," said Najmul.

"I would like them to share their experience among the players and help us to improve in the small areas," he said.

"Playing in the USA is very new for everybody," Hathurusingha admitted to the reporters. "So, getting information about the condition, getting used to the climate and the different time zones, things like that. It's more important for us in training as well as matches."

With no prior experience playing at the venues where the Tigers will have to play the World Cup in the USA, the team will be relying on pre-tournament preparation and quick acclimatisation to gain a foothold in the competition.

Bangladesh's journey begins with a three-match T20I series against the hosts, the USA, followed by two practice matches against India in New York on June 1, and a possible second practice match on May 28.

The real test begins on June 08 in Dallas, where Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in their opening group stage encounter.

A stern test awaits them in their second match as they take on tournament favourites South Africa on June 10 in New York. The Tigers then travel to the West Indies to face the Netherlands and Nepal in their final group stage matches on June 13 and 17, respectively.