KARACHI, Aug 17: Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore insisted on Sunday that he was looking for consistent efforts from his side.

Talking to reporters at a press briefing after the tourists arrival in the early hours of the day, the Bangladesh coach claimed that his inexperienced team would give Pakistan some competition.

“We are going to be competitive as much as possible both in the Test as well as in the one-day series. We are looking for individuals to lift a gear or two. That’s going to be my expectations in the next five weeks,” said the former Australian batsman who was a great success with Sri Lanka as their national coach.

When asked what would be the Bangladesh’s chances on this tour, especially after their drubbing at the hands of Australia, the coach replied: “The lot who played against the top team in the world would understand the level of efforts needed to be competitive.

“It’s easier to say that it is a great learning curve but all those will have to be put into practice.

“Yes, it was a very interesting time for us and learning curve in Australia. But we need to convert those individual efforts into consistent performances as a team.”

While replying to another question about the plus points and how satisfactory was the progress made against the Aussies, the Colombo-born Whatmore pointed out: “There were some very good positives in the Australian series and we are looking to improve on them. It will come down to players ultimately taking responsibilities for their own decisions. And then there is a genuine desire to do well in Pakistan.”

He termed the series against the `new-look’ Pakistan side extremely tough. “There’s always been depth of talent in Pakistan as in India and Sri Lanka. These players have got that bit of extra which make them perform better than most at the international level.

“Pakistan are clear favourites regardless of the rebuilding that has been going on here. I may have said that Australia are better than anybody, but nobody would disagree with that. However, it doesn’t mean that playing with any opposition is easy.”

Whatmore, who took over Bangladesh just prior to the Australian tour, said he enjoyed great success as a coach with Sri Lanka while touring Pakistan in the past but described his current stint as challenging.

“Definitely, this a different challenge for me now. It’s a different set of circumstances and what happened in the past, as far as I am personally concerned, is something I have forgotten.

“Here I have a job to do and get certain things done. Therefore, I’m looking to the future in a positive frame of mind.”

Speaking on the occasion, Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud expressed the hope that lady luck would finally smile on his side after a string of poor results since his team was granted Test status three years ago.

“Yes, we have been struggling despite trying hard to perform at this level. But we hope to change all that while looking for better individual performances from our lads,” the 29-year-old diminutive all-rounder added.

When asked how his team felt having a national coach of Whatmore’s calibre, he stated: “Since Dav joined us we are learning how to be more professional at international level.”

The soft-spoken Mahmud admitted that his team would be better equipped in conditions that were more suited to his players after having played on hard and bouncy pitches in Australia.

“Obviously, the conditions in Pakistan will be similar to what we have back home and we are looking forward to playing on such type of pitches.”

Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, who was also present at the briefing, said Bangladesh did quite well in Australia against heavy odds and his side would not take them lightly.

“Although we are fielding a young side, our intention is to go all-out for victory against them since we are using this series as a buildup for a tougher battle against South Africa,” the 34-year-old wicket-keeper said, adding that the series with South Africa was very important.

Rashid welcomed the inclusion of experienced batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq in the Test squad. “Inzamam is making a comeback and he is eager to perform well. We are very happy to have him back because he is a world-class performer.”

Rashid, who was re-appointed national captain after the World Cup debacle, also hinted that several other players who were sidelined since then might also be given a chance later in the season. “Other senior players who have been overlooked until now will be considered for the South African series because we need their experience.”

Pakistan manager Haroon Rasheed, who was also present, stated that things were moving in the right direction as far as rebuilding process was concerned.

“Both Javed Miandad and Rashid have played a big role in the process of uplifting of this team, which is totally committed. The only way for us is to move ahead and what has gone in the past means nothing. I am very hopeful that Pakistan will do well not only against Bangladesh, but also against South Africa.”

The ex-Test batsman refused to comment on the reports about fitness of all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, who was reportedly suffering from a knee problem.

Regarding a possible clean sweep in the coming series, Haroon said as a former Test cricketer one cannot say there would be a whitewash. “Of course, we are not going to take Bangladesh lightly but at the same time we will play positive cricket.”