The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh national cricket team leaves for Pakistan on Saturday to compete in the Asia Cup beginning on June 24.

The statistics suggests that the Asia Cup is not a happy hunting tournament for Bangladesh as they won just one out of their 21 encounters. In 2004 in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh notched their first Asia Cup win crushing Hong Kong by 116 runs.

Ahead of their next campaign, the Tiger's 15-member squad had its last practice session at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference at the SBNS Thursday afternoon, skipper Mohammad Ashraful said, "We are looking forward to play better cricket than the recently concluded tri-series (Kitply Cup)."

Asked whether their previous tour to Pakistan in April will be an added advantage, the top order batsman said, "The wicket in all the five matches of that tour were good and we hope to utilize our opportunities."

Replying to a question, the captain said he had tried to play considering the situation in both the matches of the Kitply Cup adding, "I will try to play on demand of the situation. If there is a necessity to play aggressive cricket, I will certainly do that."

Ashraful, who had a four-day course on meditation right after the Kitply Cup, told a questioner that at the moment he is not in a position to comment on the result of the course. "There was no negative sides during the 40-hour long course and hope to be benefited from that."

About their group stage opponent like UAE, the skipper said in international cricket everyone needs to play with 100% focus and he thinks there will be no problem playing against them.

Coach Jamie Siddons said his target is at least one win in the first two matches. "And then we will go to the second round where I expect just to play really good cricket. I have seen some great signs in the batsmen on individual basis. But as per as putting that together, the players haven't done it yet."

But the Aussie coach seemed pretty confident in putting his team's best. "Whether we will win after the first round I am not sure, But I am looking forward putting our best game together as per as batting is concerned and a much better game in bowling."

Placed in group A of the Asia Cup, the Tigers will play their first match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 24 while they will take on Sri Lanka on June 25 both at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Bangladesh Squad: 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.

Officials: Shafique-ul-Heera (manager), Jamie Siddons (coach), Sarwar Imran (bowling coach), Mohammad Salah Uddin (bowling coach), Grant Trafford Luden (Strength and conditioning coach), Darryn Lifson (physiotherapist), Nasir Ahmed (computer analyst) and Rabeed Imam (media manager).