Bangladesh begin World Cup mission

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Ali Shahriyar Amin from Cardiff
Published : 23:14, May 24, 2019 | Updated : 23:26, May 24, 2019

Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes gives catching practice to his charges during training in Cardiff Friday PHOTO/Ali Shahriyar Amin

Bangladesh team started their official camp for the World Cup 2019 as they took part in a training session at the Cathedral School ground in Cardiff Friday (May 24).
The Tigers flew to London a day after their tri-nation ODI series triumph in Ireland last Saturday. Later, they travelled to Leicester for their optional practice camp where they took part in three training sessions.
Those training sessions were arranged by the BCB and team management was quite happy with the intensity and practice facilities in Leicester. Later Thursday, Bangladesh team travelled to Cardiff to play two warm-up games against Pakistan and India, scheduled to be held Sunday and Tuesday respectively.
Ahead of their first warm-up game, the Tigers practiced at a private school ground named Cathedral School, just in the outskirts of Cardiff city center.
When Bangladesh team entered the training ground inside the school, the young students got excited and greeted the players.
It was a joyous occasion for them as young students watched the Bangladesh team practice, and took the autographs of a few players when they got the chance.
Skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza and opener Tamim Iqbal did not take part in the optional training camp but both of them joined the squad Thursday.
The practice session started with regular warm-up session. The players then took part in fielding drills, like short catches and ground fielding.
Later, net sessions began as three nets were prepared in the middle of the ground for batting.
Tamim, Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman went out to bat in the first lot and batted for quite sometime. Later, Shakib al Hasan also batted along with the other batsmen.
The whole squad is in confident mood as they recently won an international series, beating the West Indies in the final.
“The confidence level is very good among the players, because in the last tri-series everyone bowled and batted well, and that has given us confidence going into the World Cup. So it is a plus point for our team. I believe everyone will maintain the consistency. If everyone understands their role and performs, then I think something good will happen,” said pacer Rubel Hossain during training in Cardiff Friday.
Bangladesh had some injury concern as ace all-rounder Shakib could not play the final of the tri-series on May 18 due to back spasm.
But Shakib is now fit, while right-arm pacer Rubel informed that he is also fully fit ahead of the World Cup.
“As far as I know, Shakib bhai is okay. He is bowling, fielding and doing everything. The last I have heard from him is that he is well. I don’t think there is any injury in the team. I had one and I am okay now; I have started bowling off a full run,” said Rubel.
Bangladesh’s first warm-up opponent will be Pakistan and the match will be played at Sofia Gardens in Cardiff Sunday.

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