Mahmud also felt that Bashar, who scored highest 379 runs in the just concluded three-match Test series, would play much better as an opener than his customary position at number three in the first one-day international at the Multan Cricket Stadium today.

"Bashar is our best batsman. That's why we have decided to send him to open the innings," said the 33-year-old.

Bashar had previously opened the innings twice and both were against Pakistan in the Independence Cup in 1998 and in the Asia Cup in 2000.

The dashing right-hander has scored 650 runs in 35 ODIs with seven fifties.

"I have thought over it for a long time before deciding it. If you look behind you will find that our starts have never been good. And by the time Bashar goes out to bat at number three there was hardly any foundation to build on. On most of the occasions we managed to only score 20 to 30 runs in the first ten to 15 overs. That's why I have asked the coach to promote him to open for the one-dayers and he has accepted the idea," said Mahmud while explaining the changes.

"The days of only blocking the ball and batting carefully are over. Now the game has changed so we have to be aggressive in ODIs. Both Bashar and Ashraful are stroke makers and aren't afraid of playing their shots. That's what we need now if we really want to win matches," said Mahmud.

Mahmud, the hero Bangladesh's famous victory against Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup in England, though that a score of around 250 would be a good total against the hosts.

"Our target will be to get five runs per over so that we can throw a challenge to the opposition," he said.

"In Test matches you can win, lose or get a draw. But in one-day matches you will either win or lose and I'm sure you know what my choice would be," said Mahmud whose team has the longest losing streak in the history of one-day cricket.

Bangladesh have not won a single ODI in the last four years and during that period they have lost 37 of their 39 matches with the others being rained off.

"Definitely we will bat first if I won the toss," he added.

Mahmud, who enjoyed a new lease of life during the Test series, believed batting at number six was still alright for him.

The hard-working Bangladesh captain explained that although all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahman was destined to feature in the opening match but after seeing the track there was a chance that Sanwar Hossain's off-spinners might have to be considered.

"There is no grass on it and it looks perfect for batting and that's why we are considering playing Sanwar instead. A final decision will made in the morning."

When asked if his team was expecting a relatively weaker Pakistan team in the absence of their regular captain and speedster Shoaib Akhtar, Mahmud said he was not thinking of that.

"Pakistan is always a good side on their home soil and I think they would also give their best to win the match," he added.

Meanwhile, coach Dav Whatmore, said that his team came here to do well and reverse their losing streak.

"It did not click for us in the Test matches although we came so close on two occasions. But that is behind us now and we are looking forward to winning this time," he said.