Ashraful focuses on ODIs

SAY CHEESE: Tigers all-rounder Forhad Reza (L) takes a picture of coach Jamie Siddons as Aftab Ahmed (2nd from L) looks on prior to their flight to New Zealand at the Zia International Airport yesterday.Photo: Anisur Rahman

Mohammad Ashraful's men flew out of Dhaka yesterday for New Zealand hoping to make a happy return in the New Year after playing good cricket in the demanding trip.
The 15-member one-day side left home in a cheerful mood with some top board officials and spouses of two cricketers turning out to see off the players at the Zia International Airport.
Ashraful however said that everything would depend on how they play the one-day series, which starts on the Boxing Day.
"Right at the moment we are only thinking on the one-day series as we know that we should do something in the one-day series if we want to impress in the two-match Test series," he said while talking with the reporters.
"If our batsmen can put some runs on the board then it will not be impossible to pull off a surprise in the one-day series as our bowling attack is reasonably good. And if we can manage one or two victories then automatically it will help us in Tests," he added.
And the ace batsman assured that this time they would not fall an easy victim for the home team like they did during their first trip in 2001 and other previous encounters against the Black Caps.
"No doubt we are going to face a tough challenge as even top flight teams struggle to cope with the conditions in New Zealand. But we have confidence in ourselves and I can assure you that we are not going to be easy prey for New Zealand" said a confident Ashraful.
For Bangladesh vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza the tour was not only a tough one but also evokes a certain memory from his first trip.
"As a bowler I might get some advantage from this kind of condition but overall it's a very tough tour for us" said the leading paceman.
The "Narail Express" also expressed his desire to meet Grant Robinson, the player who had suffered a severe injury on his eyebrow during a practice match in the first tour.
"I will definitely try to meet him," he said.
Coach Jamie Siddons however was not interested to talk before the departure but still a win was also in the Bangladesh new coach's mind.
"I have already talked a lot about this tour. Nothing could have been better then if we can win some matches. But my main desire is to see my boys playing as per their potential," was the brief reaction of the shaven-headed Australian.
For most of the players, it's a first trip Down Under but the players like Syed Rasel and new face Zunaed Siddiqui expressed their guarded reactions.
"I am not too excited despite the fact that the seam bowlers get assistance from the New Zealand conditions," said the left-arm seamer.
"In true sense it's my first tour with the national team although I have already played in the Twenty20 World Cup. I want to be positive whatever the condition is," said the left-handed opener.