Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in the Twenty20 World Cup opener at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday. The first match of the fifth edition of the world event will commence at 3:30pm local time.
Defeat against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup is embarrassing incidents in the cricketing history of Bangladesh. Constant trail of failure in Asia Cup has put the Tigers in a state of total dismay.However, victories in two warm-up matches against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ireland helped regain some confidence for the hosts.
Three mainstay of the Bangladesh team Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza were not in the squad during their ‘Afghan-trial’ on March 1 at Fatulla. Unfortunately, off-spinner Shohag Gazi also left field hurting his fingers after bowling just three balls that day.
Their return to the side will raise both Tigers’ strength and spirit on Sunday.
Anamul Haque will accompany Tamim Iqbal to open the Bangladesh innings, despite the right-hander’s failure in the warm-ups.
Authorities have taken strong security measures to smoothly hold the ICC T20 World Cup beginning on Sunday.
Banaj Kumar Majumder, additional commissioner (crime and drive) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), said the city has already come under a security blanket with huge members of law enforcement agencies being deployed to ensure a fool-proof security during the cricketing extravaganza.
CMP sources said some 2,000 law enforcers will work round the clock to maintain the law and order in the city during the tournament.As per the security plan, a five-tier security net has been taken in and around Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium where 15 matches of the T20 World Cup will take pace.
Some 642 security personnel, led by two deputy commissioners and five additional deputy commissioners, will discharge their duties during every match at the stadium.
Besides, a 23-member team of anti-terrorism unit, SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), will be in place at the stadium during the matches.
A total of 169 law enforcers will work to ensure security of players of the participating cricket teams while 77 others will remain deployed at Shah Amanat International Airport as part of the security measures.
About 489 security personnel, led by two deputy commissioners, will guard the two city hotels — Hotel Agrabad Ltd and Hotel Peninsula –- where players and officials of the cricket teams will stay.
During the mega tournament, players of five participating teams –Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the Netherlands, South Africa and Sri Lanka — will stay at Peninsula Hotel while those of five other teams — Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Nepal, England and New Zealand — at Agrabad Hotel.
During the transportation of players and other officials to and from the stadium, 295 members of law enforcement agencies will discharge duties under the supervision of a deputy commissioner.
Meanwhile, traffic restrictions will be put in place on the route leading to the stadium from the hotel during transportation of the players for the sake of their security.
“There’ll be no vehicular movement and parking on the road during the transportation of cricket players,” said Babul Akhter, additional deputy commissioner (intelligence) of CMP.
The CMP has also issued seven special directives to ease movement of people during the cricket matches, he said.
A restriction has been imposed on carrying different specific things, including firearms, explosives, drugs and animals, he said.
Besides, posters and banners containing racial, political and indecent remarks or anything against the tournament sponsors will not be allowed to be carried. – UNB
