Tigers aim to roar after rising up the rankings
BANGLADESH return to the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2006 but even then they were knocked out in the qualifying round after defeats by Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Fast-forward 11 years though and Bangladesh are sixth, ahead of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and West Indies in the ICC one-day rankings, enabling them to qualify for the main draw.
And Mashrafe Mortaza’s side find themselves separated from the other Asian sides in the draw as they sit in Group A alongside England, Australia and New Zealand.
Bangladesh will be very familiar with the Black Caps by the start of the tournament having met them twice in a warm-up Tri-Series in Ireland, a tournament New Zealand won.
After rain halted their charge in the first game against Ireland, Bangladesh won three of their four completed games in the TriSeries including in the final match against New Zealand.
And captain Mortaza believes the five-wicket win over group opponents New Zealand – their first victory over the Black Caps outside of Bangladesh – will do his side’s confidence the world of good.
“It was a very important match for us.We knew that if we won the match we would go up to sixth (in the ICC one-day rankings),” he said.
“It was also important because it is good for us if we can win a match like this before the Champions Trophy.
“The group we are playing in is almost a group of death. We have to play the top three teams in the world. But you cannot predict anything – on your good day you can win.
“We will try to be on our toes from the beginning and if the opportunity comes, hopefully we can utilise it.”
Bangladesh complete their tournament warm-ups with games against Pakistan at Edgbaston tomorrow and India at Lord’s on Tuesday.