Tigers not fazed by washout
Bangladesh’s first World Cup warm-up match against Pakistan was washed out without a ball bowled at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff yesterday, but it spoke to the team’s battle-readiness that a wasted day did not bother them too much. Their second and final warm-up against India, before they kick off their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 2, will take place tomorrow at the same venue.
Early morning rain was forecast for yesterday in Cardiff, but a light drizzle persisted through the afternoon, forcing the match officials to abandon the match at 2:00 pm (7:00 pm Bangladesh time), even after the cut-off time for a maximum of a 20-overs-a-side game was extended from 3:02 pm to 4:17 pm.
With Bangladesh beating Pakistan in all of their last four ODIs, It may be seen as a lost opportunity to build even more confidence after the Tigers won their maiden ODI multi-team trophy in Ireland on May 17. However, coach Steve Rhodes said that the washout ‘was not a problem’ because they have had enough cricket recently, alluding to their unbeaten march to the tri-series trophy.
The warm-up could also have been an opportunity to see how well ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has recovered after missing the tri-series final because of a back spasms. However, even that base seems covered as Shakib has been practising at high intensity during the optional training camp in Leicester as well as the two preceding days of official training in Cardiff, which were not interrupted by rain.
It is fortunate that there is no rain forecast for tomorrow as, despite what the coach said about having a rough idea about the playing eleven heading into the World Cup opener, there are a few spots that may need finalising especially as even fringe players excelled during the Ireland series.
One of those spots is the lower-middle order position being contested between Mosaddek Hossain -- who hit an unbeaten 24-ball 52 in the Ireland final to seal the win -- and Sabbir Rahman, who suffered from a dearth of opportunities in Ireland, playing all of 10 deliveries across four matches. With all 15 players allowed to participate in the warm-ups -- and a maximum of 11 to bat -- tomorrow’s match against India takes on special importance for some of the fringe players as the team management deals with the happy problem of plenty.
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