The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Visiting Bangladesh national cricket team face Australian Institute of Sports in the first practice match at the Garden's Oval in Darwin on Monday.

The match will begin at 6:30 am Bangladesh Standard Time (BST).

Ahead of the Monday's encounter, the Tigers had net session and fielding practice at the Mararra Oval on Sunday.

Earlier, after reaching Darwin on Friday, Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful spoke about their target in the three-match ODI series. He said: "We want to show improvement all the way. This is a very challenging tour for us as Australia are a top side but we want to be tough and competitive and will fight all the way. We have the ability and hopefully we can bring our best cricket to this series."

Replying to a query, Ashraful said: "We've come to Australia a little ahead of the series. We'll play five practice matches before the ODIs and that would give us a good idea about the conditions here."

About the goals of the team, Coach Jamie Siddons said: "I am sure they (Australia) remember the loss to Bangladesh in 2005 and they will come hard at us every time they face us. We're an improving side and the objective remains the same here also."

"We've shown in the past that if we get to scores in the region of 250 then we can put pressure on the opposition. The drop-in pitches (here) also might suit us and if there is spin then that'll be even better," added the 43-year old coach.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will play another three one-day practice matches against Australian Institute of Sports and one against Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI before the three-match ODI series.

The three other practice matches against Australian Institute of Sports are slated for August 20, 23 and 25 at the Gardens Oval, Darwin. The 5th one-day practice match against Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI will be held on August 27, also at the Garden's Oval.

Later, the three ODIs between Bangladesh and Australia will be held on August 30, September 3 and 6 at the TIO Stadium in Darwin.

Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice captain), Nazimuddin, Tamim Iqbal, Roqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Dhiman Ghosh, Mahmudullah Riyad, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Farhad Reza, Mehrab Hossain Jr., Nazmul Hossain and Dollar Mahmud.

Standbys: Zunaed Siddiqui, Mushfiqur Rahim, Musharraf Hossain Rubel and Nayeem Islam.