Unrest overshadows preparations

Bangladesh's preparations for the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe have been overshadowed by political unrest in the country which mean that there is uncertainty whether national league games will go ahead.

"Nothing could have been better than playing more league matches before going to Zimbabwe but everything looks uncertain due to the political crisis," admitted Habibul Bashar, the captain. "I don't think fatigue would be an issue in the World Cup because it's always a better option to play matches."

Dav Whatmore led a training session in Dhaka yesterday, but Aftab Ahmed failed to travel from Chittagong because of the countrywide blockade.

Whatmore hinted that the World Cup was the centre of attention rather than the Zimbabwe trip. "It's hard to look into one with out thinking of the other. I think we have to look at both. It's very close isn't it..." he said. "You get just one week after returning from Zimbabwe and then you go to the World Cup."

The Bangladesh selectors meet today to pick the side for Zimbabwe, and the squad leaves for the four-ODI series on January 31.