Upbeat Tigers hope rain stays away

As it stands at the moment, Bangladesh will go through to the Super 10s of the ICC World Twenty20 by virtue of a better net run-rate if their final qualifying game against Oman at Dharamsala is a washout today. And if we go by the weather forecast, there is a strong possibility of that after two abandoned games on Friday due to heavy rain.

The scheduled day-night match, billed for an 8.00pm BST start, will act as a virtual final, leaving the first game involving the Netherlands and Ireland as a clash only for pride.

However, if it's not a complete washout, Bangladesh will desperately look for a full-length game from the point of view that a curtailed-over game takes the contest of two unequal opponents to a level of equal proportions. And this was rightly portrayed by former Sri Lankan batsman-turned commentator Russel Arnold when he said: "A curtailed-over match always brings in the risk-factor for the big teams."

Bangladesh are likely to field the same eleven against Oman that featured in their abandoned game against Ireland, where Mohammad Mithun came in for Nasir Hossain and Arafat Sunny paved the way for young left-arm pacer Abu Hider Rony.

Although the obvious question at the pre-match briefing was whether there was a chance for Mustafizur Rahman, now nursing a side strain, to play the final qualifier, Bangladesh's bowling coach Heath Streak, who attended the briefing, rejected the idea.

“No, not yet. We are still working on him. He has been in his rehab programme. We can't give any timeline. He might feel alright when he wakes up tomorrow [Sunday] but that is unlikely,” said the former Zimbabwe all-rounder.

Asked how disappointing the persistent rain has been for the Tigers for the last couple of days, Streak said: “It has come down to the last game against Oman. Yes, the guys are up for it. It was good that we were able to bat for some time last night, it has been very positive for us. The guys have been upbeat and looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully the rain stays away.”

He was also happy with Bangladesh's impressively growing pace battery.

“I think it all started when we went to Australia for the World Cup in 2015. We had to get our pace attack competitive if we had to compete there. That had made us work hard. We had to practice on what our abilities are. The effort and will to improve amongst the quick bowlers has been fantastic. The talent was always there, it was just a matter of getting them to do the right things,” said a satisfied Streak.

When confronted with the question of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny being reported for their bowling actions, the Bangladesh bowling coach said that it was very disappointing.

“Taskin, Sunny and we are 100 per cent confident that they will be cleared. I have looked at the footage and there is no change in his [Taskin's] action. The coaching staff and few others have also looked into it and we believe he is fine. I am confident. I am not saying this just to support him, I honestly believe he is fine and he is going to play an important part for us in the World Cup,” said a confident Streak.

Oman are a team Bangladesh have never played before. But Streak echoed Tigers captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's sentiment when he said that his team would play their own game instead of focusing on what the other team are doing.