Cricketers selected for the One-Day International series against Zimbabwe have begun their training at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from Monday amid a strict lockdown.
The cricketers are scheduled to leave Dhaka on the 9th ahead of the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe will begin on July 16.
The three matches, part of the ICC's World Cup Super League, will take place on the 16th, 18th, and 20th of July at Harare Sports Club ground.
Most of the cricketers, who are part of both the red-ball and white-ball teams of Bangladesh, have already reached Zimbabwe as they will be taking part in the solitary Test match of the tour that will start from July 7.
The cricketers who are part of the ODI team are Mohammad Naim, Musaddek Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain.
Mustafiz and Naim were not present on the first day of training. Both of them are currently in divisional cities with proper facilities and are training there.
Shamim Hossain, who received a call-up for the Twenty20 Internationals team, joined the rest of the ODI team players at SBNCS on Monday.
Rubel, who did not appear for Bangladesh in the last ODI series against Sri Lanka on home soil, got picked by the selectors despite his poor form as he picked only four wickets in the last 10 ODI matches he played.
The right-arm pacer, who played a key role behind Bangladesh's many emphatic wins, is hopeful about a successful tour.
"I am healthy and fit. I had some problems during the last Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, but now I am 100% fit. If I get a chance (to play), I will try to give my best," Rubel told the media on Monday.
Rubel played for Prime Bank Cricket Club in the recently ended DPL season, where he picked up 17 wickets from 11 matches as his team came up second after losing to Abahani Limited in the title-deciding tie in the last round.
Bangladesh last played an ODI series against Zimbabwe in their backyard was back in 2013 where Bangladesh lost the series by 2-1, losing the last two matches after winning the first one.
Rubel believes that this time, The Tigers will not return empty-handed.
"We could not bring home the trophy when we visited Zimbabwe last time, but this time we have a good side. The team is well balanced as we have good cricketers on our side. If we can play good cricket, hopefully, this time, we can bring the trophy home," said the pacer.
Bangladesh are yet to win a series away from home in the ongoing ODI Super League that is the qualification process for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Thus, the Tigers will eye the Zimbabwe series as the chance to break their duck.
The Tigers are currently at the second position in the point table, just beneath England with 50 points from nine matches. Losing against Zimbabwe might cost them heavily as in the next two home series, the Tigers will have to face tough oppositions like England and Afghanistan.
Rubel thinks that the conditions in Harare will help the seamers do well.
"We have played a lot of matches in such cold conditions. Though it's a bit challenging for the pacers, the pacers must play an important role in this series. If the pacers can bowl according to the team's plan, hopefully, we will be successful," he said.
Shamim Hossain, part of the world cup winning U-19 team of Bangladesh, got the maiden call-up for the national team after his fine display in the series against Ireland Wolves and DPL.
Rubel believes that he is a brilliant prospect and is ready to share his experience with the rookie.
"Shamim is a brilliant player who can hit big sixes. Hopefully, he will play well. As a senior and a bowler, if he asks about anything, I am always ready to share my experience," Rubel told the media.
