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Winning start the key

Hosts take on young Black Caps

Bishwajit Roy
Bangladesh open their 5th ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup campaign with a crunch Group C game against New Zealand today fully aware that a win will give them an enormous advantage in the quest for a so far elusive Super League berth.
The much-anticipated clash is scheduled to start at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 9am. Although there was a daylong strike called by the main opposition Awami League, the two teams had their last practice at the match venue yesterday amid tight security.
Bangladesh has never managed
to qualify for the Cup competition in the previous four U/19 World Cups and had to be satisfied with playing in the Plate phase which is designed for the bottom placed teams.
Cup contenders India are the firm favourites to top the group which leaves the hosts and the junior Black Caps fighting for the other Super League slot. ICC associates members Scotland complete the quartet.
"We are keen to get a solid start in the tournament. After taking some good preparation, this first match is very important for us but I don't want to think too much about moving into the Cup stage or anything," said Bangladesh coach Richard McInnes.
The hosts s led by Ashiqur Rahman, have the most number of full internationals in their squadamong all competing teams.
Fast bowler TalhaJubair and left-
arm spinner Enamul Haque Junior are already Test caps. Former skipper and opener Nafees Iqbal has appeared in two one-day internationals. But McInnes preferred to keep a lid on the supposed advantagefactor.
"We don't think we are favorites in the match at all. The experience of two or three international matches doesn't make a difference as the first class cricket structure here is not a standard one especially in comparison to what they have in New Zealand," said McInnes.
But his counterpart Dayle Hadlee without hesitation placed Bangladesh as the superior of the two.
"Bangladesh are stronger because none of our players play first class cricket. But that is also a real challenge for our talented players. The match is important and critical for both sides to keep alive hopes for the Super League" said Hadlee who is the elder brother of legendary fast bowler Richard Hadlee.
While Bangladesh completed their warm-ups with five consecutive wins, the New Zealanders were stunned in their first match by the trainees of the country's premier sports institute BKSP. Hadlee believes that loss has made the side stronger.
"I must tell you that the young BKSP guys are very talented. That match helped us to correct our mistakes. We have totally adapted to the conditions here and are more confident after winning the second practice match."
The coach's only worry was with his spinners but he expected his pacers and quality fielding to make a mark.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Flynn was looking forward to experience firsthand the charged-up atmosphere at the BNS.
"I am actually excited about the prospect of playing infront of a huge crowd tomorrow because I know that people in this country are very passionate about the game," said Flynn.
Bangladesh will be keeping their fingers crossed about paceman Talha who will have a fitness test in the morning to assess whether his hamstring injury had healed sufficiently for playing.