Bangladesh’s cricketers hoped that the three-day training camp in Chittagong that ended on Tuesday would help them to a great extent in the next month’s home series against Zimbabwe.
The team returned to Dhaka in the afternoon after a rigorous training session in the nets and the newly-laid centre wicket which they said was crucial for them.
It was for the first time in 10 years that they have attended in such a training camp in Chittagong, the country’s second biggest international venue where Bangladesh will play at least two matches against Zimbabwe.
A similar training camp at the centre wicket of the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium before the New Zealand series paid the team a rich dividend which prompted coach Jamie Siddons to take the team to Chittagong this time.
‘The team will definitely get the benefit out of this camp. The wicket is new and the outfield also appears to be very slow. Now, we have got an idea how it will behave which will definitely help,’ pace bowler Mashrafee bin Murtaza told reporters in Chittagong.
Shahriar Nafees, who has a record against Zimbabwe as all his four ODI centuries came against them, warned the team-mates not to take them lightly.
‘Zimbabwe are always tough opponents and it is also their last series before the World Cup. Naturally, everybody will be eager to perform. So, we have to play really well,’ Shahriar said.
‘It was good for us to have a chance to train here in Chittagong before the series. I am certain it will help and we will be able to perform as we did against New Zealand,’ he said.
Abdur Razzak, tipped to be the new vice-captain of the side, said he expected a turning track in Chittagong for the Zimbabweans.
‘Every team takes the home advantage. Obviously, we will also like to do that. I want the curator to prepare the wicket in a way which gives us some advantage,’ the left-arm spinner said.
Batsman Junaed Siddique and pacer Rubel Hossain missed the final day’s training because of injury.
The players were given a rest today and have been asked to resume the training in Dhaka on Thursday.
