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Tamim Iqbal, the captain of the Bangladesh ODI team, has thrown down the gauntlet to his players by declaring that spots are still up for grabs in his team for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is set to take place in India later this year. Bangladesh have already qualified for the event and will use upcoming matches against Ireland and Afghanistan to further improve their skills.
The Tigers’ first assignment is a three-match series against Ireland as part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League this week. However, they will be without some of their key players in Chelmsford. Key pacer Taskin Ahmed is currently injured, while experienced batter Mahmud Ullah is being rested, and several fringe players are being trialed ahead of the World Cup.
Tamim believes that the competition for places is healthy within his squad and that there is still plenty of time to play out before the team is chosen for the World Cup. He boldly declared that no particular spots are already fixed and that the best possible team will go to the World Cup.
“There are no particular spots that, I can guarantee, are already fixed,” Tamim was quoted as saying to the ICC.
He added: “We will play this series and then the next one in different conditions and the best possible team will go (to the World Cup).
Tamim pointed out that whoever has been given the opportunity to play has done well, with Towhid Hridoy being a prime example of a player who performed exceptionally well in the one series he played in.
Bangladesh’s form during the Super League has been superior to that of Ireland’s, with the team currently sitting fourth in the standings with 13 victories from 21 ODI matches.
A clean sweep over Ireland would allow Bangladesh to climb above England and India and finish as high as second on the standings. However, Tamim is wary of labelling his team as favourites, knowing that Ireland will be tough to beat in conditions that they are more accustomed to.
“I don’t want to use the word favourites a lot,” Tamim stated.
The left-handed batter acknowledged that they are in Ireland to play good cricket and win games, but he also pointed out that cricket is unpredictable.
“We came here to play good cricket and win games but in cricket, you can’t say anything beforehand in terms of what will happen. They are a good team in these conditions and they are quite familiar with the conditions. We hope that it will be a good and competitive series.”
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