Busy days ahead for Tigers

The World Cup may now be over, but the excitement will continue for Bangladesh's cricket fans. Despite having spent a vigorous two months down under, the cricketers will barely get a break since they have a host of assignments coming up.

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, for one, will have to immediately leave for Kolkata in order to participate in the Indian Premier League, which begins from April 8. According to BCB officials, the all-rounder has been permitted to play two matches in the IPL. He has been asked to return by April 12 since that's when the Tigers will get busy with their preparations for the series against Pakistan.

"Shakib has been given the No Objection Certificate from the board because we feel that it will be good for him. The IPL is extremely competitive and it will be a good warm-up for him ahead of the important series against Pakistan at home," BCB director Jalal Yunus told The Daily Star yesterday.

As per the BCB permission, Shakib will be free to play Kolkata Knight Riders' games against Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, on April 8 and 11 respectively.

On the other hand, the Pakistan team are scheduled to reach Dhaka on April 15. While the tour dates are yet to be finalised, they are scheduled to play three ODIs and a T20I at Mirpur first. The teams will then travel to Khulna to play the first Test. They will return to Dhaka to play the second and final Test.

As per the earlier statements from the Pakistan Cricket Board, a security representative arrived here yesterday to inspect the venues for the series. However this inspection is expected to be a mere formality. The PCB representative travels to Khulna tomorrow to visit the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium and is expected to visit the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium later this week.

While Shakib will be busy with the IPL, his teammates will be kept occupied with a newly-formed one day tournament expected to begin on April 5. It is expected to be a four-team competition. The sides that took part in the Bangladesh Cricket League, a domestic four-day competition, will be featuring in the tournament. The national players are expected to take part in this 50-over competition.

"This competition will be a good preparatory contest for our players ahead of the Pakistan series," said Jalal.

Of the 32 encounters between the two sides, Bangladesh have lost 31 with their lone victory coming in the 1999 World Cup in England. The Tigers did come close on a number of occasions in the recent past, but unfortunately failed to cross the final line.

However, this time Pakistan around will be without their most experienced players -- Misbahul Haq and Shahid Afridi -- who announced their retirement after the World Cup. They will be led by Azhar Ali, a batsman who hasn't played international cricket for two years now.

And the Tigers, buoyed by their good performances in the World Cup, will hope for a different result this time around.