MOHALI, Oct 6: Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody said his team would treat Bangladesh with the respect they deserve in the opening match of Champions Trophy qualifying on Saturday.

Holders West Indies and Sri Lanka are expected to advance from the four-team qualifiers which will also involve Zimbabwe.

But Moody said his players would tread cautiously against improving Bangladesh, who have beaten Australia, India and Sri Lanka in recent times.

“Tomorrow's game is a very important match for us and we are taking it very seriously,” the former Australia batsman told reporters on Friday.

“There is a significant improvement in international cricket and a lot of young (Bangladesh) guys have done well.”

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka for the first time in a One-dayer in February, eight months after scoring a shock win over Australia in England.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said his side's immediate challenge was to shake off rustiness.

“It's been a month since we played our last One-dayer,” said the 29-year-old batsman.

“The boys have set high standards for themselves but one can win only if there is a collective effort.”

Visiting Sri Lanka whitewashed England 5-0 in a One-day series in July.

Moody said the qualifiers would help his team prepare for the Champions Trophy main rounds which start on Oct 15.

Sri Lanka, who shared the trophy with India in 2002 after the final was washed out, failed to clinch one of the automatic main-round berths as only the top six teams in the One-day rankings on April 1 made the cut.

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said his players had prepared well for the tournament.

“We have done our homework on rival teams,” said Whatmore.

“It is up to the players to execute the plans on the field.”

The two coaches said they would finalise their line-ups on the morning of the day/night match.—Reuters