Tigers warm up well
For Mahmudullah Riyad and Rubel Hossain England has just been like the comfort zone of the backyard. Both have taken the opportunity given to them with both hands and have been the star performers for the Tigers in the three warm-up matches played so far.
Riyad's unbeaten 46 after pacer Rubel's five-for powered the Tigers to finish the unofficial practice games with a six-wicket victory over Scotland at Wormsley on Friday.
Right-hander Riyad took the opportunity with both hands as he top-scored with 43 in the first game against New Zealand and followed that up with 56 against Holland and 46 not out in Bangladesh's successful chase against Scotland.
Fast bowler Rubel did not play the first game but when given the chance he returned with four for 19 and five for 16 in the two matches.
"I am going out there with a very positive mind. I am looking to hit the ball hard and score runs all the time. I guess the mindset is helping me a lot," said Riyad.
"I also started this tour very confident because I am coming off a successful domestic season where I made runs. Also I had worked on my technique, especially on my backlift with Jamie [Siddons] and it has paid off," he added.
For Rubel the practice matches were a chance to show what he has practised.
"The slower ball is coming out really good," said the quick who has rattled batsmen with fast yorkers and sharp bouncers and caught the eyes of former England pacers Devon Malcolm and Phillip DeFreitas who were at Wormsley on Saturday playing for the PCA Masters against Holland.
"He is improving all the time. He trains hard and has so far managed to execute what he is doing in training. His natural pace and slightly unusual action makes him an interesting proposition," said Tigers' bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake.
Both players are also loving the atmosphere in the team.
"There is a definite buzz. We are together all the time enjoying each other's company. There is great camaraderie," said Riyad.
"I am loving it. Mashrafe [Bin Mortaza] has been an idol and to be on the same team is amazing. He helps me a lot and so does the other teammates," said Rubel.
The Bangladesh team enjoyed an off-day Saturday. Today morning the Tigers travel to their World T20 base in Nottingham.
The Tigers will play their first official practice game against Australia on June 1 and second against Sri Lanka a day later before taking on defending champions India in the first Group A match at Trent Bridge on June 6.
Bangladesh face ICC associate members Ireland on June 8 in the second group match.
BRIEF SCORES
SCOTLAND: 141-7 in 20 overs (Hamilton 45, McCallum 50, Berrington 18, extras 11; Mashrafe 1-21, Rasel 1-31, Rubel 5-16, Riyad 2-35, Borren 1-29)
BANGLADESH: 142-4 in 18.4 overs (Tamim 33, Shamsur 1, Ashraful 3, Shakib 36, Riyad 46 not out, Rokibul 15 not out, extras 8; Nel 1-18, Stander 1-13, Watson 1-29)
Result: Bangladesh won by six wickets.
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