Tigers set for extended rest

After securing three T20I series wins on the trot against Zimbabwe, Australia and New Zealand, Bangladesh are about to dive into a long break ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the UAE and Oman from October 17.

The Tigers will not have a training camp in the country, but will instead set up camp for the mega-event upon arrival in Oman on October 3.

All coaching staff and players in the 15-member squad, those on break or otherwise engaged -- such as Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, who will be at the IPL -- will be expected to join the camp in Oman.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to organise a practice match against a local team in addition to the two official practice matches scheduled by the International Cricket Council.

BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury explained the reasons behind the long break ahead of the world cup. 

"We decided to not camp in the country in order to combat the players' physical exhaustion and mental fatigue. They have played a lot of games recently, that too in bio-bubbles and isolation. Besides, after the World Cup, a hectic schedule lies in wait as we will host Pakistan and then tour New Zealand and South Africa. Domestic cricket and the BPL season are likely to be hosted in between," Nizamuddin told The Daily Star.

Bangladesh, placed in Group B alongside Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Oman in Round 1 of the T20 World Cup, will kick-off their World Cup campaign against Scotland on October 17. The Tigers will have to secure the runners-up spot at the least to qualify for the Super12 stage, scheduled to begin on October 23.