This kind of special training is nothing new to international cricket but first time for the current crop of Tigers who will have the six-day camp under the 'Special Warfare Wing' from today.

Local coach Sarwar Imran and physio Azmal Hossain Mithu will accompany the team but they do not have any job other than just looking after fitness issues as an Army unit will be in charge of the players during the strenuous routine in hot and humid conditions.

"Actually we are all excited to get this new experience. What we have learnt is that this training is for gaining fitness and getting stronger as quickly as possible. We will be briefed about the programme this evening," said captain Ashraful, who along with his colleagues appeared at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday morning before boarding the bus for Sylhet.

"We are desperately looking forward to get back our team spirit after the disastrous Sri Lanka tour. I hope that the training would be helpful for us," he added.

However, the young brigade is more excited with the special training camp.

"I'm simply thrilled. It is really exciting. I got the first national call and I am also going to be a part of this new experience," said dashing left-handed opener Junaed Siddique, who impressed the national selectors with his hard-hitting ability in the domestic competitions.

"We are simply excited," responded Tamim Iqbal.

The national selectors announced a 15-member squad for the competition but vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is unlikely to get the experience of the camp because of family commitment while Aftab Ahmed will join the camp on August 15 after completing his wedding reception.

"Mashrafe is expected to return home on August 14 from abroad but I am not sure whether he will join the camp in Sylhet because we have to consider his fitness first. He has claimed to be fit but we have to be more careful about Mashrafe before allowing him to go through such a strenuous programme," said Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, chairman of the cricket operations committee.

"Actually everything is not clear to me. I will go to Sylhet tomorrow to know about the training," said the former national skipper.

Interim national coach Shaun Williams is expected to return on August 14 but Lipu was not sure whether he would join the team in Sylhet.

"I am not sure whether Shaun needs to join the camp because the players would be the babies of the battalion there. Our fitness trainer Paul Chapman was expected to join today but he had to overstay in Bangkok for his wife's illness," Lipu informed.

The national cricketers will return to Dhaka on August 16 and will get two days break before beginning cricket practice.

They are expected to fly to Nairobi on August 29 for a triangular tournament involving Pakistan and Kenya before going to South Africa.