When asked whether they had fancied the idea of trying to win the match at any stage, the shrewd tactician said that it would have been a risk for the home side especially since they had a 1-0 lead in the series.

"I have to say that on a wearing pitch on the fifth day, when two batsmen are set, it is obviously a lot easier. But when a wicket falls as you take a risk or two while chasing a very large total to win a game, it becomes a lot harder for the next man coming in. If we had done that then we may have been in a difficult position. We were the leaders in the series, they had to chase us," said the 50-year old Australian at the post match briefing.

Whatmore praised the commitment showed by his charges during fightback in the second innings after struggling first the three days.

"The team realised that they didn't do the right things on the second day. We didn't bat too good in the first innings. I think they were all very committed in putting a few things right and in the second innings they batted with a lot of commitment and purpose which pleased everyone," he said.

There was never any doubt about who won over the heart of the coach. 18-year-old left-arm spinner Enamul Haque finished with 18 wickets in the series but Whatmore said that he was not surprised by the brilliant success of the young man from Sylhet.

"To be very honest I wasn't surprised. A lot of people, his captain and teammates believed that he had the potential to create a lot of problem for the opposition and he showed a little glimpse of that Against England here last year (October-November 2003). There were some very positive comments to come from the England team. We know now that we have a little gem in our hand," he said.

Whatmore reserved special praise for Tatenda Taibu the Zimbabwean captain who scored over 300 runs in the series.

"Taibu was very positive. He is very good player and he will be a difficult batsman to dismiss for us in the one-day series."

Captain Habibul Bashar was said that they were not thinking about pushing for a victory and instead had concentrated on a series triumph.

" It might have been a risk for us because it was not easy to chase a big total in the fourth innings. We are happy the way we fought back in the match," said Bashar.

The country's premier batsman said that the magnificent century of young opener Nafees Iqbal (121) greatly helped them in materialising their dream.

"It was a fantastic innings. He is a natural stroke maker but he played the innings in a different way. The way he occupied the crease set an example for us."

Nafees said the coach's pep talk on Day Three had played on his mind when he went out to bat in the second innings.

"He (told me something very important. He said that sometimes you have to sacrifice your natural style to suit the situation. I remembered that.

Zimbabwe lost the series but they were not frustrated with the outcome.

"We are a bit disappointed. I thought we should be able to bowl them out in 140-odd overs. But full credit to them, they really stuck it out there," said captain Tatenda Taibu.

Taibu pointed at two things behind their series defeat but expressed his satisfaction at the way his side gradually improved in the series.

"I think top order batting and spinners made the difference between two sides. I think their (Bangladesh) spinners were more consistent than ours. But we have improved from the first game to the second and if you look at it that way it can only get better for us."

The 21-year old wicket keeper promised that his boys will show a much better performance in the five-match one-day series which begins tomorrow at the same venue.

"The guys are more adapted to one-day cricket. We are ready to fight all the way."