Bangladesh squad arrives
By Alari Alare
A strong Bangladesh “A” squad jetted in yesterday with eight Test players exuding confidence ahead of their two-week series in Nairobi.
Captain Mohammad Sanwar Hossain and coach Ali Zia expect their team to win all their one-day matches and hope the same for the two three-dayers.
Speaking on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) yesterday, Sanwar said his side is well prepared for the tour and will go for nothing short of victory in their matches.
He, however, acknowledged Kenya’s strength but promised to take the hosts on. “Kenya is strong and will give us a tough competition,” Sanwar, a right-hand batsman, said upon arrival. “We are looking forward to win all our matches,” the tactician told journalists.
Apart from Sanwar, other Test players in the squad of 15 are Tapash Kumar Baishya, Alok Kopali, Abdul Hannan Sarker, Ashraful Islam, Tushar Imran, Alamgir Kabir and Javed Omar Belim. Javed, who bats right hand and bowls off-leg break, is however the only player who was in the team during the 2000 ICC (International Cricket Council) Mini-World Cup played in Nairobi. They were dismissed by England in their first match.
Other squad members are Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Mohammad Mazharul Hoque Chowdhury, Anwar Hossain, Rafikul Islam Khan, Shafaq-Al Zabir, Sabbir Khan Shafin and A.S.M. Musaddek Hossain. In the team’s company are coach Zia, Golam Mohammed Nowsher (manager) and Azmal Ahmed (physiotherapist).
Coach Zia, however, noted that the tour would have been of more benefit if it was played for over three weeks as planned earlier. “A longer tour would have been very beneficial, but we have no option but to play it over the allotted period,” he noted at the airport.
The tour was shortened by ten days to give space to the forthcoming Triangular series involving Pakistan, Australia and Kenya in Nairobi.
While in the country, Bangladesh “A” will play three one-dayers and two three-dayers during their 15 days. The visitors will play their first three-dayer against the KCA XI from August 17-19 at the Aga Khan Sports Club; then play their last three-dayer against the KCA Development team on August 27-29 at the Ruaraka Sports Club. The first one-dayer will be against the KCA XI on August 21 at the Ruaraka Sports Club, and the next two will be against the Kenya national team on August 24 and 25 at the same venue.
Full Fixtures: Aug. 15: Arrival in Nairobi, Aug. 16: Nets, Aug. 17-19: Bangladesh v KCA XI, Aug. 20: Nets, Aug. 21: Bangladesh v KCA XI, Aug. 22: Nets, Aug. 23: Nets, Aug. 24: Bangladesh v Kenya, Aug. 25: Bangladesh v Kenya, Aug. 26: Nets, Aug. 27-29: Bangladesh v KCA Development, Aug. 30: Departure from Nairobi.
Source:
http://www.eastandard.net/sports/sports17082002002.htm