Pakistan are the defending champions. Sri Lanka obviously enjoy home advantage while India look like clear favourites.

But there will be only two teams in the August 1 final and all three Asian giants are expected to come down heavily on their youngest brother, knowing that a big win against the Tigers will go a long way towards reaching fulfilling their aspirations.

Being the whipping boys of world cricket is nothing new for them, especially when the team cannot overcome its age-old problem, which is top order frailty.

While teams like India and Sri Lanka boast at least seven specialist batsmen, Bangladesh apparently have six in their 14-member squad for the six-nation meet. Alok Kapali, went nine matches in a row without reaching double figures and Javed Omar and Rajin Saleh, are notoriously slow starters.

But surprisingly, Javed, returning after a lengthy, has been the star performer in both two group matches, notching back-to-back half-centuries.

The doughty right-hander's good form may have answered part of the problem. But his partner Moha-mmad Ashraful, who began the tour with a match-winning 125 in Bangladesh's first warm-up match, failed to make any impact against either Hong Kong or Pakistan.

Captain Habibul Bashar has not found a way to transform his excellent Test form into the one-day arena.

Rajin gives the impression he always bats as if his side is playing for a draw in a five-day contest. So, he is hardly a match winner.

Definitely coach Dav What-more's work is cut out with a vulnerable batting line-up and bowling attack that is at best restrictive.

The scenario in recent matches has been like the repeat of famous soaps where nothing seems to change. Either early departure of top batsmen creates pressure on the lower-order forcing it to fight for life or the tail gets too adventurous and wastes a fine start.

It proves that what Whatmore says about the team is right. The Tigers are still miles behind in mental strength.

It would take a long time to change their attitude but at least, the coach should consider strengthening his team's batting first. There is only one option; that is to use Faisal Hossain before he runs out of form. But dropping a batsman to include the left-hander will not solve the problem. It would rather be six batsmen and four bowlers and wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud is no mean batsman.

With new kid Abdur Razzak gaining confidence beside established Tapash Baisya and Mohammad Rafique, Whatmore will have to choose between his 'multi-skilled' players Khaled Mahmud and Mushfiqur Rahman.

But before making plans for the second phase, the team management thought the Tigers deserved a break after 15 days hard training and playing on successive days.

The players spent half the day at the holiday resort of Reel Ocean View, an hour's drive from the Lankan capital. They will return to training this morning.