Tigers eye second round place

A rather young Bangladesh leave Dhaka on Monday morning to make their third Cricket World Cup appearance in the West Indies with a view to erase bitter memories of the previous edition in South Africa.

Bangladesh failed to win a single match four years ago and even lost to ICC associate members Canada and Kenya although expectations were high following two wins in their maiden World Cup in England in 1999.

This time, the players believe they will put on a different show as they have grown more mature. They have not only won against Zimbabwe regularly but have also beaten big names like Australia, India and Sri Lanka. The confidence is high apart from other positive traits that can make the difference.

"Recently we have become used to winning," declared vice-captain Shahriar Nafees who was key in his side's last year successes.

There remains a bitter memory with the previous meet four years back in South Africa and the controversy over the team selection this time can hardly be adequate preparation, but Habibul Bashar's men have united under one slogan 'our main target is to make a second round berth'.

"To beat a team like India or Sri Lanka is difficult but not impossible" was the common sentiment of the 15-member team and their management.

For captain Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Rafique, Mohammad Ashraful, Tapash Baisya and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the showpiece is nothing new as they played the 2003 meet but it was not case for the rest of the members.

"As a team we have improved and now more confident. Our best was the '99 World Cup when people did not expect us to win. Now the expectation is to win. That's the difference of the teams," said Bashar who eyes to upset India or Sri Lanka and make a second-round berth.

Among the young guns undoubtedly the focus will be on young wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim as the Bogra lad won a dream place ahead of long-serving stumper Khaled Mashud.

"If you take pressure it bothers you but as a professional one should be able to handle this kind of situation. What I believe is that the performance will count at the end of the day. There are some guys with whom I played at different age levels so it will be helpful for me," was the intelligent response of the baby-faced Mushfiqur in response to the much-debated issue.

There was, however, competition within competition for a few players for whom the main target was not the World Cup but a spot in the team which they will aim to achieve through accomplished performances in the build-up games. "My first target is to get a place in the eleven by showing impressive performance in the build-up games if I get the chance," said Rajin Saleh. Openers Javed Omar, Tamim Iqbal and left-arm paceman Syed Rasel also echoed the same sentiment.

While everybody promised to give their best it was leading paceman Mashrafe who wanted Lady Luck to smile on him this time because he knows how painful it is to come back from this kind of event -- a reminder of the injury he suffered during the 2003 World Cup.

"Luck is very important in this kind of competition," said the Narail Express adding that he would love to contribute as much as possible to make an upset in the meet.

Another question raised was how many were going to end their one-day career after the World Cup. Ace left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, however, confirmed that he was still not thinking about it. "Why not 2011?" said a smiling Rafique, who suddenly announced his retirement after the 1999 World Cup only to change his decision, when asked whether he has any plan to quit ODIs after the meet.

If the meet provided a chance for the players to uplift their stature then it is a rather different mission for Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to the title in 1996, to prove a point before completion of his contract with BCB.

Under his tutelage Bangladesh have won their most number of one-day matches, though mostly against a depleted Zimbabwe, but he has to prove that his boys are also competitive enough against the big guns to showcase real improvement.

"I feel its becoming more of a realistic chance to win as long as Bangladesh play. It was not if you go backwards but it's more realistic now. It would be more realistic as time goes on.

"It is a very difficult group, both are good sides from the sub-continent. Conditions (in West Indies) will not favour Bangladesh but it won't be easy for them too," said a confident Whatmore when queried about Bangladesh's chances of progress from a group involving past champions India and Sri Lanka.

"It's becoming more a reality for Bangladesh getting through to second round. That's the way we are looking at it," he added.

"Personally I think if we do the things we have been doing for the last four years, perhaps we will not enjoy success. We need to think a little bit more out of the box, more laterally and trying come up with a particular plan that might catch somebody unawares," he said emphasising the need for change.