Bangladesh headed to Caribbean on 20th February to participate in a tri-series involving two ICC associate nations, Bermuda and Canada. This is considered as an acclimatizing series for Bangladesh, who will be playing in the Caribbean after almost three long years. The tri-series will be held at Antigua Recreation Ground. They will play Bermuda on 25th February and will take on Canada on the 28th. After the tri series, Bangladesh will play against New Zealand on 5th March and against Scotland on 8th March as part of the warming up for the World Cup before featuring in the Gala event starting from 13th March 2007. Barbados will host these warm-up matches.

Bangladesh played some good cricket over the last one year and established firm superiority over Zimbabwe and Kenya. Bangladesh Cricket is on the verge of entering the big league where they will hope to pose continuous threats to the big names and even expect to win in their day against any opposition. Now, this transformation requires some excellence in every aspect of their game including the mindset. Coach Dav Whatmore injected some confidence into the squad and the mindset showed slow but sure changes in the positive direction. It is the high time in the Caribbean to exhibit those changes of mindset to the cricket world and make the transformation happen.

Tigers are keen to make an impact in the world cup.

ICC tri-series involving Bermuda and Canada is the first opportunity to herald that transformation. Bangladesh has to make some records straight as they have mixed memories against those oppositions. Undoubtedly, Canada inflicted the worst wound in the cricketing history of Bangladesh by flooring them in the last world cup at South Africa. Surprisingly, that's not the only time they had defeated Bangladesh. In the ICC trophy, Bangladesh tasted defeat against the same opposition and managed only one win in three encounters. Record against Bermuda is not quite bright either. Bangladesh played Bermuda twice in the ICC trophy level and managed to win one match while losing the other. It is clear that there is no reason to take these oppositions lightly regardless of their ICC membership status. Bangladesh must establish their utmost superiority over these countries if they wish to make any impact in the world cup.

Bangladesh holds much better record against Zimbabwe and Kenya but the fact is they play them rather safely and cautiously instead of being ruthless, so reminiscent of other top teams when facing oppositions like Zimbabwe.

The tri-series will be played in Antigua which is considered as the batting paradise of the Caribbean. Canada and Bermuda do not have dominating bowling attacks. All guns of Bangladesh team must utilize the opportunity in the best possible manner and show their mights in the ruthless fashion by amassing huge totals. Same goes for the bowlers and they must show their class.

Winning is important but anything short of resounding wins against these oppositions will add nothing to Bangladesh's credit.

Bangladesh's record against Bermuda and Canada in ICC trophy:

 

 

Bangladesh's record against Canada in the only ODI played:

 

 

After the tri-series, Tigers will travel to lovely Barbados which has one of the liveliest wickets of the Caribbean. They will find more similarity in the pitches of Barbados and Trinidad compared to Antigua and Trinidad. At the same time, there will be some similarity in the relative strengths of the opposition as well. First warm up match against New Zealand will be a real test for Bangladesh. They failed miserably in all matches against New Zealand and never managed to cross even 200 in any of the seven matches played to date. Two and half years after the last encounter, it is long due for the Tigers to display some cricketing skills against the Kiwis; and a win is sure to testify the continued improvements they have achieved so far under Whatmore. Even a close match would be enough to exhibit the growth, Bangladesh cricket has made over the last one year. The last practice match against Scotland is expected to be a routine affair for the Tigers to show their new found killing instinct.

Bangladesh's record against New Zealand in ODI:

 

 

Bangladesh’s Record against Scotland (both ODI and ICC trophy):

 

 

There is no hiding from the truth that Bangladesh failed to take the most ideal preparation for the world cup due mainly to lack of matches against quality oppositions. Keeping that in mind, we must admit, Bangladesh managed to achieve the most from what was on the table. For the first time in their cricketing history, Bangladesh will be playing World Cup with the aim to reach the next round which their juniors achieved for the first time in the last U-19 world cup. They have four one day matches to play, they must utilize these matches to build the momentum and reach the peak at right time. If they can do that, cricket world will experience a different Bangladesh who is ready to make history.