Hamilton, Feb 2: Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal believes that the ever-improving minnows can challenge the New Zealand team in the tour, which begins with a Twenty20 match here on Wednesday.
“We're a very good chance to win some matches. If we play well we can beat any team in the world. We've been playing some good cricket and have a very good chance to beat the Black Caps,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Iqbal, as saying.
Iqbal acknowledged that there were expectations from home that the side should be gaining better results than they have against the game's big names, but urged a little more patience.
“Cricket is the first sport in the country, they want us to win. But they need to wait some days – we will be there some day soon,” Iqbal said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons said that they were continuing to make progress.
“I think we're a lot further than we were the last time here. We're starting to show signs we're improving – two years has made a lot of difference to them,” Siddons said.
“Against India we got great scores in the ODIs, from 250 to 290, so there's great signs, as well as runs from different guys,” he added.
Bangladesh will meet the Black Caps in a Twenty20 encounter at Seddon Park, three one-dayers and a Test.
© ANI
