13 February 2004	Friday	21 Zilhaj 1424

HARARE, Feb 12: Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has licked his wounds and is already thinking of victory after seven defeats and a 'no result' from a triangular series against Australia and India.

Bangladesh begin their tour here on Saturday - the newest and weakest Test nation taking on the Zimbabwe second string in preparation for two Tests and five One-day Internationals during the next month four weeks. When Bangladesh made their only previous tour to Zimbabwe two years ago, they lost both Tests by big margins and also the three ODIs played.

Streak said: "It was really hard work against Australia and India. We tried hard not to be discouraged and we learned a lot. There was a great deal of pressure to make a fist of it and we did improve in the latter stages.

"But now we are not the underdogs for a change. We must and we will impose ourselves on Bangladesh. We will be taking the initiative. I don't want to disparage them in any way, but we must be favoured."

Zimbabwe lost their best top order batsmen Mark Vermeulen and Craig Wishart through injuries in Australia and Grant Flower struggled with a damaged finger knuckle.

Vermeulen and Flower should be fit for the first Test in Harare and Wishart for the second in Bulawayo. This would make a big difference because Zimbabwe's most glaring weakness in Australia was the repeated failures of the top order to make runs or stay any worthwhile time at the wicket.

Bangladesh, who see a real chance here to push Zimbabwe down to the bottom of the unofficial Test status list, say they will take the game to the home side and play positive, attacking cricket. -AFP