- Nasima Akter
Bangladesh Team Shares Thoughts During ODI Prep
Bangladesh cricket team's captain, Tamim Iqbal, addressed the media yesterday ahead of their upcoming ODI series against Ireland. Tamim expressed his team's eagerness to improve their skills in away conditions like England's and emphasized the importance of mental preparation.
When asked about the team's expectations for the series, Tamim said, "We came here to play good cricket and win games, but in cricket, you can't say anything beforehand in terms of what will happen. They are a good team in these conditions and are quite familiar with the conditions. We hope that it will be a good and competitive series."
The Bangladesh team is currently practicing in Chelmsford, Essex, before their first ODI on May 9. Tamim expressed his disappointment with the team's preparations, saying, "We couldn't prepare to our potential as the weather is not in our hands. We are trying to prepare as much as we can, and the rest will have to be mental preparation."
Despite the weather setbacks, Tamim is confident that the team's young players will perform well in the series. "Young players have grabbed their opportunities with both hands. There are no particular spots that, I can guarantee, are already fixed. We will play this series and then the next one in different conditions, and the best possible team will go to the World Cup."
The series against Ireland is part of the ICC ODI Super League, which will help teams qualify for the 2023 World Cup. Tamim acknowledged the importance of the series and said that it would give the team a better understanding of their combinations for the World Cup.
Tamim also spoke about the team's upcoming series against Afghanistan, saying that the team's focus was currently on the Ireland series. However, he said that the Afghanistan series would be crucial in determining the team's final combination for the World Cup.
When asked about the team's chances in the World Cup, Tamim remained cautious and said that they were taking it one series at a time. "It's too early to comment, but the one series [Towhid] Hridoy played in, he has done exceptionally well," he said.
The Bangladesh cricket team has made significant progress in recent years and has become a formidable force in world cricket. With their strong performances in the ICC ODI Super League, they have a good chance of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
Recently, the team was spotted staying in the peaceful village of Hatfield Heath in Essex County. The team practiced at The Lays, a quiet setting in a private school with indoor facilities, center wickets, and side nets. Although photography was not permitted, some snapshots were allowed near the nets. The players enjoyed the tranquil setting, with Liton Das admiring the cherry blossoms and Mustafizur Rahman joining the Tigers.
As the team continues to prepare for the upcoming series, fans and supporters around the world will be eagerly anticipating their performance. With Tamim's leadership and the team's determination, there is no doubt that they will give their all on the field and make their country proud.
