The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The national cricketers began a practice camp Wednesday at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) as part of their preparations for the ensuing Tri-Nation ODI Series to be held in Dhaka in June.

All members of the 14-member national squad except left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak Raj joined the day's session under the supervision of coach Jamie Siddons.

Razzak returns home today from India after the last match of his IPL side, Royal Challengers Bangalore. On the first day of the camp, the tigers gave their fitness test and had some running and stretching at the indoor facility of the SBNS.

Later, they had fielding practice at the main ground of the SBNS. During a break in the practice session, national skipper Mohammad Ashraful expressed his optimism about the upcoming Tri-Nation series.

"I am happy with the team. The selectors did their best to have a very good combination. Our team looks to be well balanced and we will try our best," he said.

Asked how he will take the Tri-Nation series after having a bad patch during the Pakistan tour and the recent home series against South

Africa, Ashraful said he would try to forget the past. "I'm looking forward to play good cricket and also optimistic to make a comeback." About the recent poor performance of the national players in the just concluded Premier League, he said domestic cricket and international cricket are different and the out of form players would definitely try to regain their form.

Talented all-rounder Dollar Mahmud, who received his maiden call in the national squad, said: "My target is definitely to do my level best in the Series (Tri-Nation). I had a long desire to be a part of the national team and at last I made it."

Asked if he feels any pressure ahead of facing opponents like India

and Pakistan, Dollar replied in the negative saying, "In

international cricket every opponent is tough. I'll be mentally down

if I feel any pressure," he said.

Meanwhile, the eight-day tri-nation tournament involving India,

Pakistan and hosts Bangladesh will begin on June 8 with Bangladesh

taking on Pakistan in the first ODI at the SBNS, while Pakistan will

play old foes India in the 2nd ODI on June 10, also at the SBNS.

Bangladesh will face India in the 3rd match on June 12.

After the single league basis matches, the top two teams will play in

the final scheduled for June 14, also at the same venue. All the

matches will be on day-night basis.

Bangladesh Squad for Tri-Nation ODI Series: Mohammad Ashraful

(Captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Vice Captain), Mahmudullah Riyad,

Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Farhad Reza, Shahriar Nafees

Ahmed, Nazim Uddin, Roqibul Hassan, Shahadat Hossain, Mushfiqur

Rahim, Mehrab Hossain (Jr.), Dollar Mahmud

Reserves: Zunaed Siddique, Dhiman Ghosh, Rubel Hossain, Alok Kapali,

Musharraf Hossain