Mashrafe bin Mortaza will lead his troop in the nine-day training camp starting today before the Bangladesh World Cup squad flies for Brisbane, Australia on January 24.
The 15-member squad was declared on January 4 this year by the Bangladesh Cricket Board and after a week’s rest following the completion of the Dhaka Premier League, the cricketers will rejoin today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The first day will contain strength and conditioning training before an open discussion session under the supervision of coach Chandika Hathurusingha.
Maverick all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal, who are in Australia for different reasons, are not the only ones missing from the camp that will end on January 21 as wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim will also skip the opening day after being advised two weeks’ rest following a shoulder injury. Shakib is currently playing for Melbourne Renegades in the KFC Big Bash Twenty20 League while Tamim is receiving treatment under Dr David Young in the same province.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Rubel Hossain, who was sent behind bars following a police case filed against him by a film actress, came out with bail yesterday and will be joining the Tigers’ training camp today.
Bangladesh will play two unofficial practice games during their two-week camp in Australia before playing an equal number of official warm-ups against Pakistan on February 9 and Ireland on February 12. They will begin the mega event against Afghanistan on February 18 in Canberra.
