Tigresses headed for Netherlands

The Bangladesh women's cricket team will leave for the Netherlands today, where the Tigresses will have a 10-day preparation camp before travelling to Scotland to participate in the upcoming Women's World T20 qualifiers, set to begin on August 31.

Ahead of the stiff challenge, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) women's cricket wing development manager Nazmul Abedin Fahim was hopeful of the Tigresses' chances. 

"On paper, Bangladesh are the strongest team that will be participating in the qualifiers. Bangladesh ended comfortable champions in this tournament last time and I hope that they will be able to hold onto the same position this time. Two teams will qualify and I hope Bangladesh are one of them," Fahim told The Daily Star yesterday.

Fahim also informed that Bangladesh will be playing a number of T20 practice matches to get prepared.

"We will be playing matches and have practice sessions over there [in the Netherlands]. The Thailand team is over there and we will be playing two practice matches against them and also one practice game with the Netherlands. We will also play a practice match against the Netherlands under-17 boys' team."

Bangladesh will miss out on the services of experienced all-rounder Rumana Ahmed as the 28-year-old was ruled out due to an injury. However, Fahim said that other players alongside new entrants Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary and Shaila Sharmin could step up.

Bangladesh's main concern has long been their batting, but Fahim was hopeful that the batters would be more consistent, while hailing the Tigresses' spin bowling department.  

"Our main strength is in our bowling, especially our spin bowling. We have a very good spin bowling department and I think it is better than most sides in the world. Even in the last World T20, none of the teams were able to post high scores against us. We could not win matches as our batsmen failed. Most teams could score just above 100. We have a very good bowling attack, but if our batting department could become a bit more consistent, we can even win matches against better teams."