Tigers keep 100 percent record in warm-ups

Bangladesh completed their preparation for the Cricket World Cup in the best possible way winning all their warm-up matches in the Caribbean.

In their second and final official warm-up match on Thursday, the Tigers cruised to a seven-wicket victory against Scotland at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados.

Having won the triangular series involving Bermuda and Canada followed by a huge morale boosting two-wicket defeat of New Zealand, Bangladesh will go into the main competition with high hopes of making a second round berth.

The real test begins on March 17 when Habibul Bashar and Co play their first match in Group B against India in Trinidad facing Sri Lanka and Bermuda.

Understandably, the Bangladesh skipper was highly satisfied with his team preparations.

“I have to say I am very satisfied with our preparation. We bowled and fielded well today and the batting has been impressive throughout. We did lose two early wickets but once again the middle-order never allowed any pressure to set in,” said Bashar, who led from front against Scotland with an undefeated 57 off 87 balls featuring half-dozen boundaries.

“Shakib and I again had a fine partnership and then Ashraful (23 not out off 20, 5x4) got us home quickly. Aftab was also batting beautifully before he got injured. Everyone is in touch and that gives me a lot of confidence. The World Cup matches will be a different ball game but if we can continue doing what we are doing at the moment then we can be a pretty tough opposition for any team,” he added.

"Before we came here for the World Cup nobody gave us a chance. That's fine for people to say, but we are looking at getting to the second round. With Tamim (Iqbal) and Mortaza (Mashrafe Bin) playing so well, this is a great boost for the World Cup. Their contributions were brilliant. We will do one thing, that is play positive cricket," Bashar had said after his side's splendid victory against the Kiwis.

Bangladesh started their preparation in the Caribbean with a three-nation tournament in Antigua where they outclassed Bermuda (by 8 wickets) and Canada (by 13 runs).

Bangladesh's celebrations, however, was somewhat marred by concerns surrounding key batsman Aftab Ahmed who suffered a muscle injury in the waist while batting.

Aftab had gone in after Bangladesh had lost opener Shahriar Nafees for a duck with the score on seven while chasing 153 to win. Before another run had been scored the other opener Tamim Iqbal (seven off 17) was also walking back to the dressing room.

Aftab, however steadied the innings with the ever-dependable Shakib Al Hasan (45 off 55, 6x4) but on 19 (26 balls; 2x4) he tried to turn for a two but collapsed onto the pitch in agony and had to retire hurt.

“The medic at the ground saw him and he has been given two pain-killing injections. He will be going for an MRI on Friday morning and then we will be able to know the nature and extent of his injury,” informed Bangladesh team operations manager Ali Asif Khan.

“The injury happened when I turned for that second run. The pain was excruciating and I couldn’t move. But now I’m feeling a lot better,” said Aftab after the match.

Bangladesh are due to leave Barbados for Jamaica on Saturday to attend the World Cup opening ceremony.