The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Daunted by fresh defeats in the three-nation Kitply Cup at home, the national cricket team began practising Monday for the Asia Cup scheduled to open on June 24 in Pakistan.

Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful and pacer Shahadat Hossain Razib from the 15-strong squad did not join the practice Monday at the Mirpur Shere-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

Both Ashraful and Razib are expected to join the camp tomorrow (Tuesday). Razib could not attend the first-day session as he lost his grandmother today.

Apart from physical stretch, running and fielding exercise, their other colleagues practised batting in the centre wicket during the four-hour session.

Bangladesh is scheduled to fly for Pakistan on June 21.

Bangladesh, placed in group A of the Asia Cup, will play their first match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the opening match while the Tigers will confront Sri Lanka on June 25---both at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

In Kitply tri-series, Bangladesh lost to both Pakistan and India.

Pakistan conceded a 140-run defeat in its second match against India. But it came back strongly to win the final against favourite India on June 14.

Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup: Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Vice Captain), Mahmudullah Riyad, Tamim Iqbal, Alok Kapali, Abdur Razzak, Farhad Reza, Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, Nazim Uddin, Roqibul Hassan, Shahadat Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehrab Hossain (Jr.), Dollar Mahmud and Musharraf Hossain Reserves: Zunaed Siddiqui, Dhiman Ghosh, Rubel Hossain, Naeem Islam.