Team manager Gazi Ashraf said the morale of the team is very high after their victory in the ICC trophy tournament where they qualified to play in the 1999 World Cup.
``In the past, we were given only three one_day internationals once in two years, that too in the Asia Cup. But now we can look forward to the future with confidence as we can play more one_day internationals,'' Team manager Gazi Ashraf said.
He said the team lacks experience but should progress with more experience. ``We have asked the boys to forget who their opponents are. They have been asked to go out and play to the best of their abilities. It doesn't matter even if you lose after giving a good fight,'' he added.
Ashraf said former West Indian opener Gordon Greendige has done tremendous work as their national coach. Ashraf said the team has made steady progress after Greendige took over in November last year.
Under Greendige's guidance Bangladesh went on to win the ICC trophy this year and qualified to play in the 1999 World Cup. ``He has concentrated on fitness and technique. Psychologically, the boys are there and are eager to spring a surprise or two,'' Ashraf said.
Bangladesh will get more international fixtures in the coming year. On conclusion of the Asia Cup, Bangladesh will have another two-month training session before they play in a three-nation tournament with Kenya and Zimbabwe in Nairobi in October. Bangladesh will also host the second division teams from Pakistan and India before the end of this year.
Bangladesh is led by Akram Khan. The 14-member squad is packed with young talent but lack experience in the big league.
Only seven of them have played in one day internationals as Bangladesh gained the one day international status early this year after emerging champions at the ICC trophy tournament. The most experienced of them is middle order batsman Minhazul Abedin who had played in all 12 one day internationals which Bangladesh team has played so far.
The other senior members in the team are skipper Akram Khan (nine one day internationals), middle order batsman Abdul Islam (10) and all-rounder Azhar Ali (8).
Skipper Akram Khan said they are here to play positive cricket and prove their class. He said they will go as the underdogs but could well spring a surprise. Even if Bangladesh fail to impress, the experience will help them to perform even better in the matches to come.
The man to watch will be former captain Minhazul Abedin and fast medium bowler Faiful Islam who captured five wickets in their last Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka in Sharjah two years back.
Bangladesh will play their first match of the Asia Cup on July 16 against Pakistan at R.Premadasa Stadium.