Mashrafe bin Mortaza and Co began their 2015 ICC World Cup mission yesterday as all the 13 members of the squad were present at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, including paceman Rubel Hossain who was granted a three-month bail last Sunday.
Ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal were the only cricketers missing from the training camp. Shakib is currently playing for Melbourne Renegades in the KFC Big Bash Twenty20 League while Tamim is undergoing rehab in Melbourne after undergoing an operation in his knee recently.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who injured his shoulder during the recently concluded Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, also reported at the camp yesterday.
Meanwhile, the World Cup will get underway in Australia on February 14 and the conditions and pitches are expected to favour the faster bowlers. Even then, the two specialist left-arm spinners of the side, Taijul Islam and Arafat Sunny, vowed yesterday that they would be looking to rise to the occasion in the global showpiece event.
Taijul, who registered his name in the record books following a terrific ODI debut against Zimbabwe recently, is hoping to be amongst the top 10 bowlers of the World Cup. “The World Cup is a different stage and after receiving the opportunity, I have to think about my country first and then I can think of personal goals. Having said that, I am hoping to see myself amongst the top 10 bowlers of the World Cup,” said a confident Taijul.
The 22-year old cricketer informed that he has always dreamed of playing in the World Cup for Bangladesh. “One never dreams of something suddenly. When I made my Test debut I had a goal of playing in the ODIs. I was determined to give my best whenever I get the opportunity. I think my performance against Zimbabwe played a vital role behind the fulfillment of my dreams,” Taijul added.
Sunny on the other hand said besides the pacemen, the spinners can also play a crucial role Down Under. “It’s difficult for the spinners to be successful in Australia but it is not impossible. If the spinners can bowl at the right areas I think it is possible to be successful,” said Sunny.
