BCB's women's wing chairman Monowar Anis Khan (2nd from R) speaks at a press briefing while announcing AB Bank as the sponsors of the women's cricket team for the year 2008 at Hotel Sonargaon yesterday. Photo: STAR

Zafrul Ehsan, coach of Bangladesh women's cricket team, has targeted a win over Pakistan in their first international appearance, at the Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka from May 2.
"We have hopes of winning against Pakistan. They are a relatively new side in women's game and are pretty weak. That's why we have hopes of a win against them," said Zafrul, during a press conference held at a local hotel yesterday ahead of their departure to Colombo tomorrow night.
AB Bank, who arranged the press briefing, have promised to pay Tk 6.9 lakhs. Kaisar A Chowdhury, president and managing director of the bank, mentioned his pride in supporting the women's cricket team.
"We are proud to promote the women's team along with the boys teams. We are already with the national under-19 side and the national schools competition," said Kaisar, who added that they would also provide cricket gears.
Zafrul however added that unavailability of Champa Chakma, a promising chinaman bowler, would be a blow. Champa is appearing for her Secondary Schools Certificate (SSC) examination.
But captain Salma Khatun had high hopes on her side's spin attack.
She said: "We have a strong spin attack and so far, nobody has seen us play. It is also true that we have not seen the other teams play."
The national women's coach, who informed that he brought pace bowlers from the under-16 boys' team to the nets to get the girls ready to face fast bowling, had a lot of faith in his charges.
"The girls are well prepared as they have been playing together for quite a while. We are hoping to do well and will not give up. I tried but could not gather video footage but I have seen some of the other teams on television. Most of the teams are strong but we have to do well," hoped Zafrul.
The women cricketers, who are the reigning Asian Cricket Council (ACC) champions, will take on India in their opening match in Welegedara on the opening day of competition.