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| August 31, 2005 | Wednesday | Rajab 25, 1426 |
Bangladesh remain upbeat for ODI series
COLOMBO, Aug 30: Bangladesh go into Wednesday’s first One-day International against Sri Lanka with the belief they can defeat any side in the world despite their poor record at the top level.
The minnows keep reminding rivals of their greatest win in one-day history in June when they defeated world champions Australia by five wickets in Cardiff during the triangular series in England.
“That victory against Australia has given us the confidence that we can beat any side in the world,” said captain Habibul Bashar at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
“It was a definite boost for our confidence and self belief.”
Bangladesh, however, got a taste of what to expect on the current tour when they crashed to an embarrassing 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka’s second-string in a practice match on Sunday.
Worse, fast bowling spearhead Mashrafe Mortaza is a doubtful starter for Wednesday after being afflicted with back spasms for the last three days.
Bangladesh have lost 33 of their 38 Test matches since being granted Test status in 2000, their lone win coming against a depleted Zimbabwe at home last year. Four matches were drawn.
Out of 112 One-day Internationals, they have won only 10 and are the lowest ranked side in international cricket in both forms of the game.
Sri Lanka, ranked second behind Australia in the International Cricket Council’s one-day rankings, are taking no chances and have named a full-strength squad for the three-match series.
Sri Lanka’s Australian coach Tom Moody warned his team not to be complacent.
“We got enough competition within the squad to keep the intensity levels up,” said Moody.
“Any player who comes for these matches saying that this is a foregone conclusion is in for a complete shock.
“We have just seen in England where Bangladesh chased a total of 250 against Australia. They are a threat to any team.”
Moody wants Sri Lanka to narrow the 15-point gap with Australia in the rankings.
“We are building on a long-term basis and this series is an important stepping stone for us,” he said. “I will be delighted if we top the points table.”
Sri Lankan medium-pacer Farveez Maharoof passed a fitness Test on Tuesday after pulling his right hamstring and is available for selection.
The two teams will also play two Test matches after the one-dayers.
Teams (from):
SRI LANKA: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Avishka Gunawardene, Dilhara Fernando, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Thilan Samaraweera.
BANGLADESH: Habibul Bashar (captain), Khaled Mashud, Khaled Mahmud, Mohammad Rafique, Javed Omer, Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Mashrafe Mortaza, Manjural Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Tushar Imran, Shahriar Ahmed, Syed Rasel.
Umpires: Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka) and Asad Rauf (Pakistan).
TV umpire: Peter Manuel (Sri Lanka).
Match referee: Clive Lloyd (West Indies).—AFP
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