Tigers off to World Cup mission

The Bangladeshi cricketers left Dhaka on Monday morning for West Indies for next month's Cricket World Cup with a promise of returning home with heads high.

"We are confident that we can return home with something to cheer," captain Habibul Bashar told at the lounge of the Zia International Airport before their departure.

With stopovers in Dubai and London, the enduring journey ends at Antigua on early Wednesday morning (Bangladesh time).

"We are going to play the World Cup on the back of impressive performances in recent times but we are very aware of the fact that the whole world will sit up and take notice if we can achieve something in such a big tournament," said the Tigers skipper, asking for the blessings of the countrymen and repeating that their target is to play the second round.

It will be the Tigers' second visit in Caribbean after they toured the country in 2004 playing a full series and therein also lies a source of inspiration for the team, especially for individuals like Bashar and Mohammad Rafique as both made hundreds in a drawn Test match.

"We have had a very good tour of the West Indies but this will be another ball game because the approach will be totally different in the World Cup," explained Bashar.

Bangladesh, who have been pencilled in Group B alongside India, Sri Lanka and Bermuda, will get more than three weeks in the Caribbean before starting their main campaign.

It would give an opportunity for the team think-tank to get the real picture about the playing eleven as Dav Whatmore's charges will play a triangular series involving Antigua & Barbuda and Canada before featuring in two build-up games against New Zealand (March 6) and Scotland (March 8).

Chief selector Faruque Ahmed, who also accompanied the team, however hinted that there was hardly any chance of experimenting in the practice matches.

"There is hardly any chance to go for an experiment in the build-up matches because we want to provide enough opportunity for the boys who ultimately play in the main event. Actually we have a team in our mind," informed the former national skipper.

Bashar also echoed the sentiment. "I think it is not difficult to guess what would be our team in the World Cup if one considered our combinations in the last few matches," he added.

The 34-year old Bangladesh skipper also informed that he has some plan with few players in the event. "We will bring few changes in my strategy, like I will try to use Rafique after 20 overs which was not case in the recent past."

There was an excitement especially among the players who are going to play their maiden World Cup although the officials looked to be silent from their part.