Tigers' World T20 campaign starts today
The ICC World T20 proper will start in a week's time, but for the Asia Cup T20 runners-up Bangladesh it will commence from today.
As far as the format of ICC's second biggest flagship event is concerned, the Tigers will face Holland in the first of their three qualifying games at the picturesque Dharamsala Cricket Stadium. And when the game starts at 3.30pm, it will once again test the tenacity of the Tigers after five intense Asia Cup games including last Sunday's blockbuster final against India.
A long flight the next morning followed by a chilly reception in the evening was something too demanding for any professional team before a serious match, that too after only one practice session and at a venue where the team has never travelled before.
But the first sight of a cool and collected Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza at the Dharamsala media centre after a two-and-a-half hour training session gave the audience some sort of clue about why the Tigers have been overcoming one adversity after another under his stewardship.
“I don't want to buy his [Mahmudullah Riyad's] idea of taking our three qualifying games as build-up for the main event. I'm against anything that is overconfidence. We will play our next game against Holland as intensely as we did against India in the Asia Cup final,” said Mashrafe after the briefing.
Mashrafe was actually reflecting on Riyad's comment on arrival at the Kangra airport on Monday, when the on-song batsman said that he wanted to take the three qualifiers against Holland, Ireland and Nepal as 'practice games for the World Cup'.
With injured pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman still not recovered from a side strain and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan nursing the bruise he sustained in Sunday's final, Mashrafe said that his team are more concerned about the height in Dharamsala, where breathing is an issue for someone who has just arrived.
“It's a different place. It's not like any other place in India which has the same climate as ours. We are facing a bit of a breathing problem. Besides, it was cold last night and we need some time to adjust to such conditions. Hopefully, we will adjust ourselves quickly and give our best shot tomorrow (today),” said the Tigers skipper.
While reflecting on the gradual improvement in this format, where they were not up to the mark not long ago, Mashrafe said that the Tigers' coach Chandika Hathurusinga has been doing wonders with the team ever since his introduction one-and-a-half years ago.
“I think he is the father-figure of the team. Under him we have not only had a brilliant World Cup [in 2015] but also had three outstanding home series. We have also played very well in the Asia Cup and we now want to carry the momentum here,” added a confident captain.
Asked if Mustafizur has any chance to play in the opening game against Holland, the inevitable reply from the captain was, “We are yet to decide the team.” But the reality is that the 20-year-old pace sensation will not be able to make it to the playing eleven.
Mashrafe was also against the idea of rearranging the batting order when confronted with the question of promoting Riyad.
“I think Mahmudullah is playing his role very well at the moment. Yes, you can demand the bigger role for him. But imagine our two potent batsmen Shakib and Mushfiqur also coming to the party. Don't you think it will be devastating for any opposing team?” retorted Mashrafe.
True, Bangladesh are now a vastly improved side since their last game against Holland in Hague in April 2012 that they lost, but Mashrafe was not ready to take anything for granted. Perhaps that is because of the format of the game where things change in the matter of an over or two.