Tigers touch down in Dharamsala

The Bangladesh cricket team, fresh from their runners-up finish in the Asia Cup T20 last night, reached Dharamsala’s Kangra Airport  at 4:30 pm Indian time today to take part in the ICC World Twenty20, which gets underway with the qualifying round from tomorrow. Bangladesh will play their first qualifier against the Netherlands on March 9.

The Tigers reached Dharamsala airport on a specially chartered Spicejet aircraft and boarded a bus towards the Pavilion hotel, where they will set up camp for the qualifying section of the global tournament.

Before boarding the bus, Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah Riyad spoke to the media and said that it was a bit disappointing to lose the Asia Cup final against India, but they tried their best. About the quick turnaround from an Asia Cup final one day and a World Cup qualifier two days later, Riyad said it was a little tight but as professionals they have to take it in stride.

The Tigers are scheduled for their first practice session at the Dharamsala Stadium tomorrow morning, but unseasonal rains – it was raining as the team touched down – may see a change in those plans.