DHAKA, – Bangladesh’s young batter Shamim Patwari believes his side has the potential to do well in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup if the wicket remains good for the batters. Shamim’s confidence stemmed from their 60-run victory over Oman A team in the practice match yesterday (Friday) in which Bangladesh put up 207-4 in 20 overs.
“The batters did reasonably well in the practice game that gave us the confidence,” Shamim said in a video message sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Bangladesh got a good start through openers Naim Sheikh and Liton Das who combined for 102 runs in just 11.2 overs with Liton, the captain of the team in absence of Mahmudullah Riyad playing the anchor role. Liton hammered 53 off 33 with six fours and one six while Naim hit 53 ball-63, smashing three fours and two sixes.
Later Nurul Hasan Sohan gave a tremendous finish with a whirlwind 49 not out off just 15, a knock that was studded by seven sixes. Shamim himself played his part with an unbeaten 19 off 10 with one four and two sixes. In reply, Oman A team was restricted to 147-9 with left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam wrecking havoc with 3-30. Mohammad Saifuddin also came up with tight bowling, finishing with 2-17 in his four overs.
“We have got a tremendous start. Naim and Liton got off to a great start and later Sohan batted incredibly well. I had batted with Sohan and it was an enjoyable moment. The wicket was really good and the batters made the most use of it. I am hopeful that our batters would do well in this kind of pitch,” Shamim expected.
Even though Bangladesh won the series against Australia and New Zealand at home for the first time in T20 International cricket, their batting caused a headache. The pitch back at home though was not also good enough to bat on. However the manner in which Bangladesh’s batters batted in batting-friendly pitch quelled the concern of the team management.
“Our team combination has been good. We have good communication amongst us. We have come in a new condition and the more we can play, the more we can improve. What came as good was that we played the practice match at night. Under the lights, batsmen did well and bowlers also bowled well,” Shamim said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh reached Dubai today to play the two official warm- up games, organized by the International Cricket Council. They will take on Sri Lanka on October 12 while Ireland on October 14.
Thereafter they will return to Oman again to play the matches of the qualifying stages. Bangladesh will start their mission, taking on Scotland on October 17 after which they will face off hosts Oman on October 19 and Papua New Guinea on October 21. It is expected that they won’t face any stern challenges from this sides and would effortlessly qualify for the Super 12s.
The Tigers so far played 25 matches in the World Cup of this shortest version of cricket and won just five-four of which came in the qualifying round. They won only one match against West Indies in the tournament proper. Squad: Mahmudullah Riyad (Captain), Naim Sheikh, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shamim Patwari. Stand by: Rubel Hossain, Aminul Islam Biplob
