"As a team, we are going through a crucial phase in international cricket and that's why it is always nice for our players to play as many matches as possible. We should take it as an opportunity to prove ourselves. There are still a lot of quality players on both sides," said the 21-year-old who will fly for South Africa tomorrow with teammate and the country's ace paceman Mashrafee Bin Mortuza to join the Asian squad.

Ashraful however was disappointed that India's Rahul Dravid will not be there.

"I will definitely miss Dravid as I wanted to discuss some technical things with him because he is an absolute class player."

Ashraful thought the three one-dayers against the African XI could act as a confidence booster for him ahead of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

"My main target is to perform well in Sri Lanka and I believe this tournament will help me lot as we kick off our tour with the one-day series in Sri Lanka."

The young batsman refused to take too much comfort from his splendid showing in the NatWest one-day series in England where he also made that epic match-wining hundred against Australia. He was also self-critical of his time in international cricket so far.

"Considering my age you might brand me as a young player but I have already enough experience after appearing in 27 Tests and 54 one-day matches. I also realise that there is no point in feeling comfortable after one or two good knocks.

"I played my best Test innings (158 not out) against India but what have I done afterwards? I failed against Zimbabwe and in the Test series against England. So, there is no scope for me to think that I am going to Sri Lanka with huge confidence."

Ashraful was also not dwelling too much on the history from his last trip to Sri Lanka when he became Test cricket's youngest centurion.

"Believe me I never think about past successes. My coach Wahidul Gani often reminds me that I only have two Test hundreds and not ten, which is a shame. I also think I should have scored a ODI hundred long ago."

Touching on the prospects in Sri Lanka, the dashing strokemaker thought that giving too much attention on what champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas had in store was not ideal mental preparation.

"I don't think there is any need to be scared of the two because we have already faced them. I am really excited with the challenge."

After experiencing many ups and downs in his four-year career, the prodigal batsman has come to the conclusion that the best way for him is to never curb his natural style.

"People often suggest that I adopt a more cautious game but I feel disturbed hearing such things and it has hampered my batting in the past. I now place more importance on playing on the merit of the ball. I had success in England once I played my own game."

For Ashraful and Mashrafee, the Afro-Asian tour is part of a hectic schedule as they will get only one day's rest at home after returning from South Africa.

"We return on August 23 and leave for Sri Lanka on August 25. But I am not worried with the schedule because I believe this is the prime time for my cricket and I want to play as much as possible."