Sports Reporter :
The first phase of the ICC World T20 will start from October 17 in Oman. Bangladesh will take on Scotland in their opening match of the qualifying round on that day. A total of eight teams will directly take part in the final round of the ICC World T20. They are-Australia, South Africa, England, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and New Zealand. The final round will be held in United Arab Emirates.
A number of eight teams splitting into two groups will compete in the qualifying round. Top two teams from each group will play in the final round. Bangladesh, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Scotland have been billed in Group-B, while Ireland, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Netherlands have been placed in Group-A.
Bangladesh will face hosts Oman on October 19.
The Red-and-Green outfit will meet Papua New Guinea in Oman on October 21.
The four teams will join the ‘Super Twelve’.
Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies and runners-up of Group-A, champions of Group-B will play in the Group-1, while India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, champions of Group-A, runners-up of Group-B will play in Group-2.
The champions of the Group-1 will take on the runners-up of the Group-2 in the first semi-final on November 10, while the champions of the Group-2 will face the runners-up of the Group-1 in the second semi-final on November 11.
The winners of the two semi-finals will face each other in the final on November 14.
Captain of Bangladesh Cricket (T20I) team Mahmudullah Riyad said, “It’s a very important tournament for all teams and especially for our team. We are playing a few series before the T20 World Cup and if we can do well, get a bit of confidence, try to win those series before the World Cup starts, it will be a big boost for our team.”
He said, “Our strength has been our all-rounders and our bowling department. Having said that, our batting is also very good and we have a good balance. We have five or six all-rounders, who can bat and bowl. Our fast bowlers are doing an incredible job at the moment. Our spinners are our strength as well. If they can put up their hand in a few matches, hopefully, we will have some good results.”
Mahmudullah also said Shakib Al Hasan has always been the number one player of the Bangladesh team, while Mushfqiur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman are also valuable enough. Riyad hopes that Nurul Hasan Sohan, Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain also have the ability to do well, and all of them are keen to prove their mettle.
