September 3, 2003	Wednesday	Rajab 5, 1424

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MULTAN, Sept 2: Bangladesh came under scathing attack from Pakistan captain Rashid Latif on Tuesday for their negative approach in the first two Tests of the current series. “I was amazed by their (Bangladesh) tactics and if they don’t play positively it will get more difficult for them to improve, Rashid told a press conference.

“I don’t want to sound harsh but if Bangladesh keep on playing with such a negative approach, they will never progress far. At the same time I won’t like to interfere in their planning, but they must ensure a positive attitude. I noticed in this series that once their bowlers are hit around they go on the defensive,” he added.

The Pakistan captain claimed that had the pitches been more favourable for fast bowling, Bangladesh would have not managed to extend the game beyond third day. Yeah, we should we would have finished them inside three days in the first two Tests.

“In fact, we let them (Bangladesh) play beyond their ability, but here we would try our best to finish it off early, the Pakistan captain promised.

Dav Whatmore, the Bangladesh coach, said his charges needed to avoid losing self-confidence especially after being on top in the first half of both Tests.

“I fear for the boys because I am trying to make sure that the boys do not lose confidence. We need to identify and guard those areas where the team has improved immensely”, the Australian noted.

When asked how he felt after losing the Peshawar Test, Whatmore replied, “Of course, as the coach you are never satisfied. But the manner of team’s capitulation hurts me more than anything else. I never expected my team to fold up so meekly in Peshawar”, he said.

Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud was more philosophical about the final Test. “We have shown marked improvement in this series. And hopefully we would like to end the Test series on a high note,” he hoped.