Tigers up against the Lankans now

There will be no shortage of confidence when Bangladesh play their second group match in the Cricket World Cup against 1996 champions Sri Lanka in Trinidad on Wednesday.

The Tigers' top-brand of cricket in their five-wicket success against mighty India in the first game last Saturday at the same venue has already made Habibul Bashar's men's dream to play the Super Eight stage a reality.

A win against formidable Sri Lanka at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain will ensure Bangladesh's entry into the second round for the first time in their third appearances but even a loss will not completely shatter the hopes as they have another match in hand, against first-timers Bermuda who have lost both their matches by big margins to Sri Lanka and India.

The spirited display of Dav Whatmore's charges since landing on Caribbean soil have forced the critics to take Group B as a 'Group of Death' and if the Tigers produce another courageous show like the first game, it would make certain the exit of another subcontinent giants from the event after Pakistan.

Undoubtedly, the record and strength speak highly in favour of the islanders as they have won 17 of their 18 one-day internationals against Bangladesh but the Tigers have made many believe that they have the potential to fight neck and neck.

Bangladesh achieved their only success (four-wicket victory) against Sri Lanka during the home series in February last year and most importantly, their last meeting against them in the ICC Champions Trophy in India was also not a lifeless one although they lost it by 37 runs.