Any match against Scotland reminds me of 1999 World Cup. We tasted first victory in World Cup beating Scotland 16 years ago. I have some good memories of that match. I scored unbeaten 68 runs that helped Bangladesh to manage a fightable total even after we lost 5 wickets for only 26 runs. Later, we won the match due to brilliant performance from bowlers. Even today I feel proud for my contribution in that victory.

I hope Tigers will gift us a splendid victory showing outstanding performance on Thursday. Our team have that capability. I believe Bangladesh will win over Scotland as a ‘better’ team.

It seems to me that this Scotland team won’t be able to create any problem for Bangladesh. Besides, the wicket of New Zealand is totally ‘flat’. Batsmen have good chance to score handsome runs in this type of wicket.

It will be better for Bangladesh to field first if they win the toss. It won’t be difficult to win over Scotland if they can be limited to 250 runs. For victory, Tigers have to do well in all three departments of batting-bowling-fielding.

If the top order batsmen get runs, others will be inspired. The failure in the top order has become a matter of major concern for us. But I believe they will get runs in this match.

The bowling attack of Scotland is quite good. Some of their bowlers play in the County cricket. Our batsmen have to remain careful against them.

There have been much talks on the ‘casino dispute’ of Khaled Mahmud. I don’t think that it will have negative impact on the performance of the team. Manager only looks after the team. The real game is played by team members.

Minhajul Abedin Nannu: Selector of Bangladesh Cricket Board and former captain of Bangladesh cricket team. He is the first Man of the Match of Bangladesh in World Cup.

Translated by Bijoy Chandra Shaha