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Bangladesh shaping up well for Twenty20

Bangladesh have warned opponents not to underestimate them during the forthcoming Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa

Cricinfo staff
28-Aug-2007


'Don't underestimate us': Mohammad Ashraful © AFP
Bangladesh have warned opponents not to underestimate them during the forthcoming Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa, lest they suffer the fate of India and South Africa, whom they surprisingly beat in the World Cup earlier this year.
Bangladesh finished their preparations for the tournament with a number of practice matches in Mirpur and Mohammad Ashraful, the young captain, is happy with the way his team is shaping up.
"Very few people gave us the chance when we played in the World Cup but we beat both India and South Africa. As the game becomes shorter, I think we have a good chance of doing well and progressing into the second round," he said. I am quite satisfied with our preparations and hopeful about doing well in the competition."
Bangladesh are in a tough Group A, with hosts South Africa and West Indies for company. Before the tournament begins, they will play in a four-nation tournament in Nairobi with Pakistan, Uganda and Kenya. Shaun Williams, acting coach since Dav Whatmore left in May, believes the warm-up series could make a difference.
"In the main event, I think we have to score at least 160-170 runs to give ourselves any realistic chance of winning. The encouraging fact is that we will have another four to five matches in Kenya before the main competition and that will definitely help us. I am hopeful about putting up a good performance in this World Cup," said Williams.
"Our performance in the first few [practice] matches was not good enough. We were struggling to get 140 but finally our batting clicked in the last practice game. I am pleased because the boys displayed a strong performance as both teams scored 190 runs," he added.
Mashrafe Mortaza, vice-captain and leading fast bowler, also sounded bullish a day before Bangladesh's departure for Nairobi, urging his side to play their natural game. "South African condition will be totally different than in the West Indies but I think that will hardly matter in this type of cricket. We have the ability to beat any team and we just need to play our natural cricket".