Bangladesh will take on Canada and Pakistan in their two warm-up games ahead of the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The Tigers will take on the North Americans in Chittagong on February 12 and Pakistan in Dhaka on February 15.
England will take on Canada, also in Dhaka on February 16 while England also play their other practice match, against Pakistan, on February 18 in Dhaka.
Cricinfo adds: The ICC announced the schedule yesterday for the warm-up games ahead of the tournament.
The fourteen teams in the fray will play two games each, from February 12 to 18. The tournament gets underway on the 19th.
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal looked forward to playing in front of home crowds in the World Cup. “This will be my second World Cup but definitely the one I am longing for. In front of our own fans, families and friends we have the opportunity to make the country proud and deep inside every Bangladesh cricketer is a burning desire to excel,” he said.
“There is no other competition like the World Cup and it is knocking at our door. Bangladesh will be the centre of the cricket world six months from now and I am excited like anyone. Just imagine what it is like for the kids aspiring to be cricketers? The legacy of this ICC Cricket World Cup will be ours to cherish and my message to the public is to make every moment memorable and share your enjoyment with others. You may not get another chance,” said Tamim who was instrumental in Bangladesh’s upset win against India in their opening game of the 2007 World Cup.
The two teams will square off in the opening match of the 2011 edition, in Dhaka.
WARM-UP MATCHES SCHEDULE
February 12: New Zealand v Ireland in Nagpur, Zimbabwe v South Africa in Chennai, West Indies v Kenya in Colombo, Sri Lanka v Netherlands in Pallekele, Bangladesh v Canada in Chittagong
February 13: India v Australia in Bangalore
February 15: Australia v South Africa in Bangalore, Ireland v Zimbabwe in Nagpur, Kenya v Netherlands in Pallekele, Bangladesh v Pakistan in Dhaka
February 16: India v New Zealand in Chennai, Sri Lanka v West Indies in Colombo, England v Canada in Dhaka
February 18: England v Pakistan in Dhaka
