Agency :
The members of the Bangladesh’s squad for Twenty20 World Cup underwent a mandatory Covid-19 test on Saturday as they will leave the country today for Oman’s city Muscat.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, who are in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now to play in the IPL, had no chance to give the sample. But since they have been in IPL bubble, they can join the side in Muscat straightway.
Mahmudullah and his side would board a flight to Oman at 10:45 PM today. After arriving in Oman on Monday, they will maintain room quarantine for one-day. The practice will start from October 5.
After four days of continuous practice, the Bangladesh team will leave for the United Arab Emirates on October 9. Bangladesh team will have to do one day quarantine there too. The team will start training on October 11.
Here in UAE, Bangladesh will play two official warm-up matches, organized by ICC on October 12 and 14.
Bangladesh will return to Oman on October 15. That’s where their real mission will begin. This time, of course, the cricketers will not need any quarantine. Bangladesh will have to play the first round to qualify into the Super 12s.
Bangladesh are drawn with Scotland, co-host Oman and Papua New Guinea. Mahmudullah Riyad’s side will start their mission, taking on Scotland on October 17. If they qualify, they will be drawn with India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan and other team, qualifying from first round in Super 12s.
In the main phase of the Twenty20 World’s last six editions, Bangladesh won just one game. Thanks to a blitzkrieg knock from Ashraful, they had beaten West Indies in 2007 T20 World Cup and that remained their only victory till date.
National selector Razzak’s confidence is driven from the belief that they are sending the best possible team for the world event.
“We are sending the best team possible [for the T20 World Cup]. I will expect a good result. I do not want to particularly mention the result we are hoping for. I will of course be happy if we could finish as the champions. I believe everyone will feel the same way. I want Bangladesh team to do well,” said Razzak to the media at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
