The Tigers, who departed by a Thai Airways flight in the afternoon, will launch their second trip to Sri Lanka with three one-day internationals, the first one to be staged at the Sinhalese Sport Club (SSC) ground in Colombo on August 31. Habibul Bashar's men will also play two practice matches in the month-long trip.

The first match at the SSC is all set to be a landmark appearance for inseparable Bangladesh wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud. The Rajshahi stumper, who is also the vice-captain of the team, will be the first Bangladeshi cricketer to make 100 ODI appearances in that match.

Mashud was excited with the feat and announced that he wanted to make his hundredth appearance a memorable one.

"I would love to play a big innings in that match. But the success of the team is more important for me," said the 30-year-old prior to the departure at the Zia International airport. Mashud has hardly missed a match since his ODI debut against India in Sahjah in 1995.

While a milestone beckoned Mashud, another seasoned campaigner Mohammad Rafique would be playing his first Test on Lankan soil. The wily left-arm spinner and the leading wicket-taker of the country was not part of the team during the Asian Test Championship match as well as Bangladesh's series in Sri Lanka in 2002

Rafique however considered the opportunity was just another match.

"I never plan anything beforehand. I only start thinking once I get a ball in my hand," said Rafique in his usual direct manner.

There was however lot of emotion expressed by young paceman Syed Rasel. The left-arm seamer, picked in the senior team for the first time, was excited to make his first trip with the national team.

"The call-up was a timely one because I have been performing for a long time. I have been waiting for this for long and I want to make an impression if given a chance to play," said Rasel, who has the ability to swing the ball both ways.

Coach Dav Whatmore and captain Habibul Bashar also spoke highly of the newcomer, commenting that his inclusion would give more variation to the attack.

Like Rasel, Tushar Imran was another player who had really impressed in the A team's tour of England. The middle-order batsman showed signs of picking up the form during the national team's England tour and continued with his good touch with the second string side, scoring two centuries and a few more important knocks, to claim a stake for a Test recall after three years.

"I am confident because of my good run in England. When I was given my Test debut in South Africa in 2002, I was too inexperienced. But I have learned a lot over the years and really looking to push for a Test cap."