Since his inclusion as the new pace-bowling coach of Bangladesh in May last year, the Tigers' fast-bowling department appeared to be improving in leaps and bounds. Former Zimbabwe captain and paceman Heath Streak has now got the biggest assignment ahead of him – the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia-New Zealand.
The Tigers are scheduled to fly to Brisbane, Australia on January 24 for a two-week training camp before leaving for Sydney on February 7 with the global showpiece event getting underway a week later.
And according to Streak, the training camp in Brisbane will be very important for the Tigers heading into the 11th edition of the 50-over World Cup.
“If we wanted to do well we have to adapt to the conditions of Australia and I think the two-week camp will be very important for us. But, we have to ensure that the players can utilise what they have learnt in the right times,” opined Streak.
Skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza will be spearheading the pace-bowling attack and will be supported by the likes of Al Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain and young paceman Taskin Ahmed.
The 40-year old pace-bowling coach said he is satisfied with the seaming talents at his disposal and informed that the quartet have different sets of varities.
“The pace-bowling department has got the variety where we have both pace and swing among the four bowlers. Such as Taskin who has got the pace while Al Amin is able to swing the ball. I think there should be no worries in the fast-bowling department for us,” he stated.
The former Zimbabwean all-rounder also asserted that the Tigers have the ability to reach the second round of the global event. “We must have to beat Afghanistan and Scotland first and if we can snatch a win against a big team I think we are capable of reaching the second round,” he said.
Apart from Afghanistan and Scotland, Bangladesh will also take on co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, 1996 World Cup champions Sri Lanka and serial under-achievers England.
Meanwhile, Rubel, who was sent behind bars last Thursday following a case filed against him by a film actress under the Women and Children Repression Act, will make way for standby paceman Shafiul Islam if things are not resolved quickly.