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News

Bashar reflects Bangladesh's new confidence

Habibul Bashar has spoken with confidence about Bangladesh's improved performances in recent weeks

Cricinfo staff
21-Mar-2006


Syed Rasel 'has injected new blood in the attack' © AFP
If anyone doubted the progress that Bangladesh have made in the last 18 months, their improved performances against Sri Lanka and their emphatic wins in the opening two matches of the one-day series against Kenya should have made it clear that they are on the up.
Habibul Bashar, their experienced captain who has been through the bad - and the very bad - times was keen to underline that his side is now looking up for their next victims rather than being worried about who might beat them. "I don't want to compare our team with Kenya," he said after the nine-wicket win at Khulna. "You all know we have defeated teams like India, Australia and Sri Lanka in the recent past. And I believe as a team we should compete consistently against the big teams and it is actually our ultimate goal.
"As I have repeated often, our performance against Sri Lanka was quite decent and there was a clear sign of improvement within the squad. And I think that impressive performance has helped us to do much better against Kenya.
"We have won the first two matches quite convincingly and we are looking forward to winning the remaining matches in the same fashion," added Bashar, before curtly dismissing suggestions that Bangladesh should experiment in the remaining two matches at Fatullah. "I am totally against that," he stressed. "I want to field my best side to finish the series on a high note ahead of the tough home series against Australia in April. We are all enjoying the game that's why it would be unwise to break the rhythm.
"We have improved in every department especially the way the top order has been batting in the series is refreshing for us. But what has impressed me most is the effort of the two new ball bowlers, especially Syed Rasel who has injected new blood in the attack. The right-left bowling combination has worked brilliantly since our Sri Lanka trip. Our new-ball attack was erratic in the past but the new pair has bought real discipline. It is now proved that if we bat to our potential we can give any of our opponents a tough time."