Bangladesh will formally begin their preparation for the ICC World Cup today with strength and conditioning session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Star all-rounder Sakib al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal will miss the session as they are currently in Australia. Sakib is playing in Australia’s Big Bash Twenty20 tournament for Melbourne Renegades and is expected to join the team in Brisbane later this month during a two-week long conditioning camp.
Tamim, on the other hand, is recovering from a surgery conducted on his left knee on December 29 in Melbourne.
He is expected to return home on January 15, though it is yet to be confirmed exactly when he could join the training camp.
It was earlier reported that he will be needed a rehab of two to three weeks before the left-hander can start the training again.
Bangladesh Cricket Board physician Monirul Amin told reporters on Sunday that Tamim will take a plasma injection in a day or two and then they will assess his condition.
Paceman Rubel Hossain is also unlikely to join the training on the opening day, despite him walking out of jail on Sunday.
Acting Metro Sessions’ Judge granted Rubel bail till the submission of charge sheet in a rape case filled by film actress Naznin Akter Happy, paving the way for him to play in the World Cup.
BCB sources said Rubel could join the training on when coach Chandika Hathurusinghe will start the net session.
Barring, Sakib, Tamim and Rubel, the other cricketers of the 15-man World Cup are expected to report to Hathurusinghe at 10:00am this morning.
The Tigers will return to training after a week-long break at the end of taxing Dhaka Premier League.
While most of the cricketers preferred to enjoy their break with family members during the break, some cricketers continued their training individually at Mirpur.
The Tigers will train at home up to January 22 before the leave for Australia.
They will depart for Brisbane at 9:05pm on January 24.
The BCB arranged the two-week long camp in Brisbane to help the Tigers to acclimatise with the condition.
During the conditioning camp they are expected to play two warm-up matches, though the BCB are yet to name the opponents.
The International Cricket Council will start looking after the teams from February 7. Bangladesh will play in Pool B alongside co-hosts Australia and New Zealand as well as England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Scotland.
They will start their campaign on February 18 against Afghanistan at Canberra.
The World Cup 2015 will be held in Australia and New Zealand from February 15 to March 29.
-With New Age input
