Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
After one-half of the Bangladesh contingent boarded the first flight to London at 1.40 am on Sunday midnight, the second half of the team’s contingent left for the United Kingdom in the morning today for their three-match ODI series against Ireland, part of the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League.
The group that left for London yesterday comprised a majority of the team management alongside Yasir Ali and Najmul Hossain Shanto, while the rest of the team members, including Tamim Iqbal, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam left the capital in the morning today.
“The preparation that we took for our upcoming mission, it’s already here, and everyone is gearing up for that,” Miraz told the media at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before boarding the London-bound flight.
“Everyone is in a very good shape. We had very good practice in Sylhet. We are leaving for Ireland with time in hand, so we can take our preparation over there as well. And overall, all the members of the team are in a good shape and are playing good cricket at the moment, so that’s a positive side,” he added.
Meanwhile, Liton Das, who featured for Kolkata Knight Riders but had to return back prematurely due to a family emergency, is expected to join the Tigers on May 2. Mustafizur Rahman, who is also playing in the IPL this season, is expected to leave the Delhi Capitals camp on the same day to reunite with his compatriots in England.
Meanwhile, Shakib Al Hasan, who is currently in the United States with his family, is expected to join the Tigers ahead of their only practice game, slated for May 5.
Bangladesh will play the series opener on May 9 while the second and third games are scheduled on May 12 and 14, respectively. All the matches will be played in Chelmsford.
Leading up to the tour, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha conducted a brief three-day training camp in Sylhet.
