Tigers start training in NZ

Bangladesh national men’s cricket team started training in New Zealand ahead of their tri-series against the hosts and Pakistan starting on October 7.

The Tigers are currently training in Lincoln, and their first match against Pakistan will be in Christchurch.

The Bangladesh team reached New Zealand on Sunday and had the following day for rest. After that, they started training in the indoor and outdoor facilities available at Lincoln.

After training here, Bangladesh will take on Pakistan, who just got beaten 4-3 in a home series against England, on Friday.

Bangladesh’s next match will be against New Zealand on October 9, before facing them again on October 12. Their final group stage match will be against Pakistan on October 13. The final will be held on October 14.

Bangladesh will start their World Cup campaign on October 24 against a team qualified from the preliminary stage.

After the training session, Bangladesh batting coach Jamie Siddons spoke to the local media about the team, where he said that the group was ‘exuberant and energetic’.

“People like Sabbir and Miraz opening is very different to Tamim and Liton. Liton is still there at number 3 or 4. We still got a few senior players here, but the youth is really exuberant and energetic. So, that’s what we’re hoping to see and bring to the table,” he said.

The Australian added that he was looking forward to watching the Tigers against these two sides.

“The boys are coming along. We have a pretty young team. Some of the senior players have retired or not on this tour. We have a young team that we are excited about. They got a bit of learning to do, so we are looking forward to seeing how we go against two pretty good teams here,” Siddons said.

He also said that practising in New Zealand would help them prepare for the World Cup in Australia as the conditions are similar.

“The conditions are very similar (to Australia). Looking at the wickets here and the indoor centre, really nice. That’s what we are here for, some competition. Hagley Oval will play out a lot like Australia. Early season Australia is pretty similar to what we have here,” the Bangladesh batting coach said.

Bangladesh will be facing the last T20 World Cup’s finalist (New Zealand) and semi-finalist (Pakistan) in the tri-series, and Siddons believes their preparation could not have been better.

“We can’t ask for much better (preparations). Finalists last World Cup, and Pakistan are obviously on the up. They are a fantastic T20 side. If we can challenge them, we are going a long way in getting ready for the World Cup,” he added.