Sri Lanka’s heavy defeat in the opening Group D fixture against South Africa Monday in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup has paved the way for a positive scenario for the Bangladesh team, who are yet to start their campaign.
In New York, the Lankans suffered a six-wicket defeat against the Proteas after the island nation batted first and posted only 77 runs before getting all-out.
Bangladesh have come into the 20-nation tournament on the back of a series of defeats against lower-ranked sides Zimbabwe and the USA.
And in the lone warm-up game, against India, Bangladesh’s troubles, particularly with top-order batting, got established once again as the side could register only 122 in pursuit of 183.
In order to move to the second round of the tournament, a team will need at least three wins and against former champions Sri Lanka in their campaign opener, Bangladesh will be motivated to take on an opponent who are already on the back foot.
Bangladesh are placed in Group D along with South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands and Nepal.
The Tigers will begin their mission against the Lankans this Saturday in Dallas.
Bangladesh arrived in the United States in mid-May to first play the three-match T20 international series against hosts USA and then prepare for the world event.
However, as it has been, the Tigers have not been regular in the practice sessions and on many days, the session has been kept to optional.
It is understood that the practice facilities in the two host cities – Dallas and New York – is not upto the mark or better explained, not of the level that a top international cricket team expect.
Though no member from the Bangladesh contingent, other than all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, has yet voiced on the matter, the team’s enthusiasm towards attending the practice session reveals the mindset.
Bangladesh side are scheduled to have a full team practice session in Dallas Tuesday but in an indoor facility that is about an hour from the team hotel.
The main venue here, the Grand Prairie Stadium, was occupied Tuesday hosting the game between the Netherlands and Nepal.
India head coach Rahul Dravid has been among those who raised voice on the issue of practice facilities.
The Indian batting legend has found it strange for a cricket team to train in a public park.
In New York, the organizers have designated Cantiague Park as the training facility for teams playing in the group fixtures, while the matches will be held at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
The two facilities are about five miles apart.
"It's a bit strange to be practising in a park. Obviously at the World Cups you would be in big stadiums or a cricket stadium traditionally. But you know, we are now at a public park and practising,” said Dravid during an interaction with the media.
The low-scoring game between Sri Lanka and South Africa has triggered discussion if the pitch at the Nassau County is upto the level as well.
The drop-in pitches at this venue were prepared by an experienced groundsman from Adelaide.
There are also talks the wickets have not had enough time to settle down and not enough cricket played on them.
The typical buzz usually associated with a big tournament like a World Cup is missing in the USA, given that the sport is not big in this country.
The two venues, New York and Dallas, have literally been built from scratch over the past few months.
The journey of cricket in the US had a major boost very recently with the introduction of Major League Cricket.
The T20 league, involving mostly the Indian Premier League franchises, started last year with the ambition to culminate in the 2028 Los Angeles Games where cricket will be reintroduced to the Olympic program for the first time since 1900.
