Bangladesh have been pitted in Group A alongside Ireland, Netherlands and debutants Oman in the first round of the ICC World Twenty20 2016, the groupings and schedule of which was announced yesterday by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Tigers will play their first match against the Netheriands on March 9 in Dharamsala, before taking on Netheriands on March 11 and Oman on March 13 at the same venue Group B features Zimbabwe Scotland, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

The top team from Group A will join India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand in Group 2 of the Super 10 stage, while the top team from Group B will move to Group 1, comprising South Africa, England, West Indies and defending champions Sri Lanka.

Although Bangladesh are the highest ranked T20 side in Group A and are expected to qualify, they have been vulnerable in T2OIs. The Tigers will have to put their best foot forward, especially when they meet Ireland on March 11, a tie which could potentially decide the group.

However, the road for the Tigers will only get tougher from there. If they make it to the Super 10, the Tigers will have to take on India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand, all of whom have proven their credentials in theT20s.

If Bangladesh are to make it to the semifinals, they must finish among the top two in their group. The last time the Tigers were in the competition, at home in 2014, they qualified for the Super 10 with two wins and a shocking loss to Hong Kong. They failed to win a single game after that, losing four on the trot.

Meanwhile in the women's tournament, Bangladesh were placed alongside England, West Indies, India, and Pakistan in Group B. The Jahanara Alam-led side will begin their campaign against India on the March 15 in Bangalore.

The Bangladesh women's team go into the tournament off a brilliant qualifying campaign, securing qualification without any losses. They did have one loss, in the final, but that came after the team had already qualified.