Bangladesh Can Won Against Any Top Side in The World Says Coach

Dhaka: Bangladesh cricket coach Jamie Siddons said on Wednesday that his side is targeting victory against India and a berth in the Super Eights round during next month's Twenty20 World Cup in England.
Bangladesh are drawn with defending champions India and Ireland in the preliminary round, with two teams advancing to the Super Eights round.

"Our target is to beat India in our first match which will confirm a place in the next round," Siddons said ahead of his team's departure on Friday for the June 5-21 tournament.

"We know India are the world champions in Twenty20 cricket. They have talented players. But if our top three players fire, we can beat them."

Bangladesh play India at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on June 6 before taking on Ireland at the same venue on June 8.

During the inaugural Twenty20 Worlds in South Africa in 2007, Bangladesh qualified for the Super Eights with a shock win over the West Indies.

Siddons said Bangladesh was capable of reaching the semi-finals, provided captain Mohammad Ashraful, opening batsman Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan played to their full potential.

Siddons said Bangladesh has been short of match practice with no games against any international side in the past four months.

"We are going to England a week earlier than our competitors. We will play five practice matches, two of which are against Australia and New Zealand, so I hope our boys will acclimatise well to the English conditions," Siddons said.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Related links

ICC World Twenty20, 2009 News

Ranatunga Blames Modi for India's T20 WC Disaster [+]

In a stinging attack on Lalit Modi, former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has blamed the Indian Premier League commissioner for the national team's disastrous show in this year's Twenty20 World Championships.

Umpires Threat Forced ICC to Think Shifting T20 WC [+]

The report says the elite panel of umpires had refused to stand in the competition.

BCCI Sacks Team India Coaches [+]

Both Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh were under the scanner after India's dismal show in the Twenty20 World Cup and last month's Champions Trophy.

Afridi's T20 WC T-shirt to be Displayed at London's Museum [+]

Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi's Twenty20 World Cup jersey will soon find a rack at the historic Lord's Museum in London.

ICC World Twenty20 Team [+]

Four members of the triumphant Pakistan side and three from runner-up Sri Lanka have been included in the ICC World Twenty20 team of the tournament.

World Twenty20 - The Most Dramatic Happenings [+]

The second edition of World T20 had all the nail-biting ingredients, action, suspense and climax. Here is the lists of some memorable moments.

Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka to win Twenty20 World Cup 2009 [+]

Pakistan won their first major title in 17 years when they stunned Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the World Twenty20 final at a sell-out Lord's on Sunday.

T20 WC Final - Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Lord's, London - Preview [+]

Two Asian team Pakistan and Sri Lanka, linked by tragedy, will contest in the Final of 2nd World Twenty20 at Lord's on Sunday (June 21).

Afridi Wants to Make it Third Time Lucky [+]

Shahid Afridi is desperate not to end up on the losing side for the third time in a row when he turns out for Pakistan in the World Twenty20 final.

Lanka Thrash Windies by 57 runs, Reach in Finals [+]

T Dilshan (96* off 57 balls) and A Mathews (3/16) guided Sri Lanka to a convincing 57-run win over West Indies in the second World T20 semis at the Oval.