DHAKA, Oct 11: Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore on Saturday warned that his team should not be taken lightly for the upcoming Test series against England starting here on Oct 21.

“Our team is capable of playing well in a five-day match and we showed it in Pakistan,” said Whatmore. “We are not expecting to win and have a long way to go, but are capable of a few surprises.”

Bangladesh last month came within one wicket of winning the third and final match of a Test series against Pakistan in Multan and the coach felt that anything was possible in the upcoming series.

“Nothing is impossible,” said Whatmore. “The team has been playing well but we also realise that expectations are rising. My job is to improve the overall performance of the side and I am working towards it.”

Bangladesh have lost 23 of their 24 Tests since gaining Test status in 2000, salvaging their lone draw in a truncated match against Zimbabwe.

They have also not won a One-day International since shocking Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup in England.

Michael Vaughan-led England are without all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and seamer James Anderson, who are, however, expected to join the team for a three-match one-day series to follow the two Tests at Dhaka and Chittagong.

England’s first practice game starts on Sunday, when they take on a Bangladesh Board President’s XI in a three-day match here.—AFP