Bangladesh were handed a tough draw in the ICC World Twenty20 as the International Cricket Council announced the schedule of the tournament in Mumbai on Friday.
The Tigers will have to play a qualifying round before they compete in the main draw where top eight teams will be joined by two qualifiers.
Bangladesh will play alongside the Netherlands, Ireland and Oman in qualifying Group A while Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan will play in Group B.
The champions of each qualifying group will join Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and hosts India in the Super-10 stage.
The qualifying matches will be held in sleepy hillstation of Dharamsala and Nagpur from March 8-13.
Bangladesh will play their all three matches in Dharamsala with the Tigers starting their campaign against Netherlands on March 9.
If qualified, the Tigers will play against India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand in Group B of Super-10 stage.
‘I don’t think we should even think about anything other than playing in the top 10,’ said former national captain and selector Habibul Bashar.
‘We should consider this as an opportunity to play some matches ahead of the main draw.
‘But at this point there cannot be any excuses regarding our opponents in the qualifying round,’ he said.
Bashar added that the Tigers should not complain about their possible opponents in the main draw where they are set to be pitted against two former world champions of the format alongside the two finalists of last 50-over World Cup.
‘It’s true that we will have play four top teams in the world if we reach the main stage but if you are playing international cricket you won’t be expecting to play with any other than the top teams,’ he said.
‘We need to prepare with that in mind and take the qualifying round as a chance to get some more exposure with Twenty20 format as we are not very accustomed with the format,’ added Bashar.
The Super-10 stage will be held from March 15-28.
In the women’s event, Bangladesh, who recently qualified by beating Zimbabwe, were drawn in Group B alongside England, West Indies, India, and Pakistan.
The final of both the men’s and women’s events will be held in Kolkata on April 4.
The Tigers will have to play a qualifying round before they compete in the main draw where top eight teams will be joined by two qualifiers.
Bangladesh will play alongside the Netherlands, Ireland and Oman in qualifying Group A while Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan will play in Group B.
The champions of each qualifying group will join Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and hosts India in the Super-10 stage.
The qualifying matches will be held in sleepy hillstation of Dharamsala and Nagpur from March 8-13.
Bangladesh will play their all three matches in Dharamsala with the Tigers starting their campaign against Netherlands on March 9.
If qualified, the Tigers will play against India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand in Group B of Super-10 stage.
‘I don’t think we should even think about anything other than playing in the top 10,’ said former national captain and selector Habibul Bashar.
‘We should consider this as an opportunity to play some matches ahead of the main draw.
‘But at this point there cannot be any excuses regarding our opponents in the qualifying round,’ he said.
Bashar added that the Tigers should not complain about their possible opponents in the main draw where they are set to be pitted against two former world champions of the format alongside the two finalists of last 50-over World Cup.
‘It’s true that we will have play four top teams in the world if we reach the main stage but if you are playing international cricket you won’t be expecting to play with any other than the top teams,’ he said.
‘We need to prepare with that in mind and take the qualifying round as a chance to get some more exposure with Twenty20 format as we are not very accustomed with the format,’ added Bashar.
The Super-10 stage will be held from March 15-28.
In the women’s event, Bangladesh, who recently qualified by beating Zimbabwe, were drawn in Group B alongside England, West Indies, India, and Pakistan.
The final of both the men’s and women’s events will be held in Kolkata on April 4.
Source: newage