Siddons willing youngsters to step up

For the first time since reaching New Zealand on October 2, Bangladesh national cricket team trained today ahead of their first game of the tri-nation series against Pakistan scheduled on October 7 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan is yet to join the side as the remaining members of the Bangladesh team trained at the Lincoln University ground today.

Bangladesh team won the two-match T20I series against the UAE last month prior to the departure to New Zealand as part of their preparation camp for the tai-nation series as well as the ICC T20 World Cup.

In absence of experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad, Tigers' batting coach Jamie Siddons is looking forward to youngsters to step up.

"We have just come from Dubai where we played a couple of games against the UAE and had a week practising in their facility which was fantastic. Boys are coming along as it's a pretty young team while some of our senior players have retired or not on this tour. So the young team were are excited but they got a bit of learning to do. We are looking forward to playing against two pretty strong teams," Siddons told media following the training session.

"People like Sabbir (Rahman) and Miraz (Mehedi Hasan) opening the batting is certainly different from Tamim and Liton. Liton, however, is there at number three or four, but we still got a bit of experience in the team. But the youth is very exuberant and energetic and we are looking to see what they bring on to the table," Siddons added.

The tri-nation series in New Zealand is expected to play a crucial role for the Tigers where the condition is similar to what they should expect in the T20 World Cup mission in Australia later this month.

"We can't ask for much better preparation against the finalists of the last World Cup and Pakistan are obviously on the up as they are a fantastic T20 side. So if we can challenge them we are going a long way to getting ready for the World Cup," he added.