Bangladesh Under-19 team will leave here for New Zealand today (Thursday) to participate in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup with a hope to reach the semifinal.
Bangladesh captain Mahmudul Hasan, who have been showing consistence in his performance recently, said: "Our target is to reach the last four (of the U-19 World Cup) and we have the ability to do it."
Addressing a pre-departure press conference at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium this (Wednesday) afternoon, he said they have taken good preparations ahead of the meet. "We will try our best to perform well."
Expressing some concern about their bowling department especially in pace bowling, the Bangladesh skipper, however, said they have a strong fielding side
Head Coach of Bangladesh team and former national skipper Minhajul Abedin Nannu and Bangladesh Team Manager Tanjeeb Ahsan Saad also spoke on the occasion.
Nannu said the boys have been practicing well ahead of the World Cup. They gained experience through domestic league and played some practice matches to prepare for the World Cup.
"We started our (World Cup) mission last April and have played a good number of home and away matches against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe."
He added: It's true we have not played in New Zealand conditions before but the trip to England last year should certainly help us in coping with NZ conditions.
Replying to a question, the Head Coach said the team has been formed the World Cup based on individual performance. The boys are also mentally fit and ready to give their best.
"We've three players who I believe would do well at any level. Opening batsman Anamul Haque has been a brilliant find. He is very positive and fearless. Skipper Mahmudul Hasan has been our most consistent performer with both bat and ball while Shabbir Rahman is an exciting leg-break bowler who also has tremendous ability with the bat."
Nannu said he was also excited with the fact that "we are taking two specialist leg spinners (Shabbir and Nur Hossain) to New Zealand."
Bangladesh has been placed in Group D of the Youth World Cup with Pakistan, West Indies and Papua New Guinea.
Bangladesh will play their first match against Papua New Guinea on January 16 at the Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North, play their 2nd match against West Indies on Jan 17 and the third match against Pakistan on Jan 20 at the same venue.
Bangladesh will also play two official practice matches in New Zealand ahead of the meet.
Bangladesh Under-19 squad: Mahmudul Hasan (captain), Alauddin Babu, Amit Majumder (Vice-Captain), Anamul Haque (WK), Arman Badsha, Abul Hasan Raju, Kamrul Islam, Mominul Hoque Sourav, Nur Hossain, Nurul Hasan (WK), Saikat Ali, Shabbir Rahman, Shaker Ahmed, Soumya Sarkar and Tasamul Hoque.
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