DURBAN (South Africa), Feb 10: Barring a miracle, Bangladesh will finally end their embarrassing streak of 26 straight defeats when they begin their World Cup campaign at the Kingsmead here on Tuesday.

The confidence stems from the fact that their opponents in the day-night encounter are Canada, who came through the qualifying ranks to take part in only their second World Cup.

Victory, however, cannot be taken for granted since the Canadians, comprising mainly West Indian and Asian immigrants, did win one of their two matches against Bangladesh so far.

Bangladesh have struggled to compete with the big boys, having succeeded in just three of their 61 one-day matches since being granted One-day International status in 1985-86.

And one of those victories was marred in controversy when they toppled mighty Pakistan in the previous World Cup in England four years ago amidst cries of foul play.

Bangladesh’s confidence has been lifted by a 4-1 win over fellow World Cuppers Namibia in a warm-up series last month, which featured an astonishing innings of 177 off 145 balls by opener Al-Shahriar in the last game.

Unfortunately for Bangladesh, those matches did not have One-day International status.

A bigger morale-booster was the five-wicket win Bangladesh managed in a practice match against South African provincial side KwaZulu-Natal last week following Ehsanul Haque’s 92 and 68 from Shahriar.

The same KwaZulu side defeated India the following day.

“The wins over Namibia and KwaZulu-Natal has put us in the right frame of mind for the World Cup,” said captain Khaled Mashud. “We know our limitations. We are expected to compete only against Kenya and Canada, but I am confident we will put up a good fight against the fancied teams as well.”

“If we play consistently, we will do well,” said Mashud, the 27-year-old who has spoken of quitting the captaincy after the World Cup.

Canada, coached by former West Indian batsman Gus Logie, made their only other World Cup appearance in 1979 when they were shot out for a record low of 45 by hosts England.

Logie, however, was confident his team has come a long way since.

“The wickets are harder here, but they’ve seen the South African players and the international teams. They are mentally strong enough to handle the conditions,” he said.

Canada are led by Chennai-born Joseph Harris, a handy batsman who boasts of a healthy ICC Trophy average of just over 41. Off-spinner John Davison, who has played with Victoria in Australia, will be expected to take wickets.

Teams (from):

BANGLADESH: Khaled Mashud (captain), Al-Shahriar, Alok Kapali, Habibul Bashar, Hannan Sarkar, Ehsanul Haque, Sanwar Hossain, Khaled Mahmud, Manjurul Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Rafique, Talha Jubair, Tapash Baisya, Tushar Imran.

CANADA: Joseph Harris (captain), Ashish Bagai, Ian Billcliff, Desmond Chumney, Austin Codrington, John Davison, Nicholas de Groot, Nicholas Ifill, Davis Joseph, Ishwar Maraj, Ashish Patel, Abdool Samad, Fazil Sattaur, Barry Seebaran, Sanjayan Thuraisingam.

Umpires: Brian Jerling (South Africa) and Aleem Dar (Pakistan).

TV umpire: Arani Jayaprakash (India).

Match referee: Gundappa Viswanath (India).—AFP