November 29, 2007	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 18, 1428

HYDERABAD, Nov 28: Bangladesh’ national selector and former Test captain Mohammad Akram has said Pakistan is a tough side and his side have to put in extra effort to defeat them.

Akram, who was talking to Dawn after Bangladesh U-19’s second defeat at the Niaz Stadium on Wednesday, said his country might also form separate selection committees for national and junior sides like Pakistan’s.

He added that Bangladesh’s cricket board has hired foreign coaches to raise the standard of the game in the country.

He was optimistic that the U-19 team would gain useful experience from the current series. “Our players will learn a lot from this series as they are playing against a tougher side,” he said.

The selector said he has come to Pakistan to see the performance of his team ahead of next year’s World Cup.