Warm-up matches discussion

Bangladesh in a spot of bother

Bangladesh 13-2 (5.0 overs)

Bangladesh quite comfortably defeated Scotland by 7 wickets with more than 15 overs in hand.

Match Report from TigerCricket (BCB official site).

Bangladesh cruised past Scotland by 7 wickets in their last World Cup warm-up today (Friday)at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados to take an all-win record in preparation games into the tournament proper. But the victory was somewhat marred by concerns surrounding key batsman Aftab Ahmed who suffered an apparent muscle injury in the waist while batting.

Aftab had gone in after Bangladesh had lost opener Shahriar Nafees Ahmed for a duck with the score on 7 while chasing 153 to win. Before another run had been scored the other opener Tamim Iqbal (7 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 on to 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 tomorrow morning and then we will be able to know the nature and extent of his injury,” informed Bangladesh team manager Ali Asif Khan when contacted over phone.

“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.

Apart from the injury to Aftab, it was otherwise a good day for the Tigers.

“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 captain Habibul Bashar who led the way with an unbeaten 57 (87 balls; 6x4) from number five.

“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 all together but if we can continue doing what we are doing at the moment then we can be a pretty tough opposition for any team,” said Bashar.

Bangladesh have won all their preparation games in the Caribbean starting from the three-nation tournament in Antigua where the breezed past Bermuda (by 8 wickets) and Canada (by 13 runs) and then the official warm-ups in Barbados against New Zealand (by 2 wickets) and Scotland (by 7 wickets). The Tigers play their first group match in the World Cup against India in Trinidad on March 17.

The Bangladesh team is due to leave Barbados for Jamaica on Saturday (Bangladesh time) to attend the World Cup opening ceremony.

Heading towards a nailbiting finish

Kenya 274-8 (50.0 overs)
The Netherlands 257-7 (48 overs)

Andrew Strauss is left out of the 13 to play Oz today. Not surprisingly Bopari joins him in the bar (what would you do?)  as England test out all their seamers.   I've a horrible feeling that Strauss's omission could turn out very badly. Not only is he a player who stands up to pressure really well , but he's one of our best close catchers.

    Fletcher said about a year ago that he had pencilled in ten players for the world cup starting line up - my guess is the side that faces NZ will contain barely six  of his prediction of 2006.  Tresco's loss couldn't be anticipated , but are England really settled?


Edited by Sledger - 09 March 2007 at 1:09pm

To be fair Sledge, recently several players have earnt a spot who wouldn't have been in the running a year ago, Joyce and Nixon for example, which is a much better reason to be changing your side

I havent found any radio of it. Shame really, sounds like a good match so far, 50 For Vaughan and Bell, good stuff, going along at a nice 4.8 an over at the moment. 

Mini-collapse but survived, steady going into the last 10 now, should make a decent score.

anyone know whats happening in SL vs NZ mathc. please let me nknow the score.

What a start by west indies in a bid to revive their cricket !!!

West Indies 85 (25.5 ov)
India 30/1 (7.0 ov)

Poor performance from England, no excuse for collapsing from 120-1 to 197 all out, and their bowling has been poor so far as well, I fear it may be normal service resumed for England after their brief moment of glory Down Under.

Awesome performance by Gilchrist and Watson and by Tait with the ball too, taking 4/33 from 8.3 overs, once again showing us he can survive at the international level.

England 197 all out (48.3 overs)
Australia 200-5 (40.5 overs)

West Indies 85 all out (25.5 overs)
India 86-1 (18.3 overs)

New Zealand v Sri Lanka
New Zealand 285-7 (50.0 overs)
Sri Lanka 137-2 (25.0 overs)

Pakistan won by 7 wickets
South Africa 199 (48.3 ov)
Pakistan 200/3 (44.3 ov)

Those south africans really know how to complain. I heard that they complained about the pitch at UWI spec. today!!! I was supporting them against Pak though. They needed to put a few more runs on the board though especially since they are playing against Pak and not one of the lowly ranked teams.

No matter what the condition of the pitch in Trinidad, the victory against SA will give Pak lot of confidance.

I can now say, that watching games from the stadium is better than watching it on T.V!