Ashraful up for Kiwi test

Bangladesh captain wants to see improvement from his team

By Phil Jackson   Last updated: 3rd December 2007

mohammad ashraful Bangladesh 07

Ashraful: Tough times ahead

The ultimate question is whether we have improved or not.

Mohammad Ashraful
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Skipper Mohammad Ashraful is eager to see Bangladesh's progress tested on tour in New Zealand this winter.

The Tigers' only Test win to date came against Zimbabwe in January 2005 and they were whitewashed 2-0 the last time they visited New Zealand in 2001.

Jamie Siddons will take over as coach for the first time on the tour and the Bangladesh batsman is eager to see an improvement from his team.

New Zealand come into the game on the back of a series defeat in South Africa meanwhile, but Ashraful still expects a tough examination for his side.

Challenge

Ashraful told the Daily Star: "The ultimate question is whether we have improved or not.

"Playing New Zealand in their own conditions is always a tough challenge for any team in the world and it has become much tougher for teams like us.

"But we have improved a lot in the last few years, especially by proving that we can challenge any team in one-day matches."

The three-match one-day series begins on December 26 in Auckland and the skipper is pleased with his team's preparations.

"I am relatively happy with the boys' performances in the National Cricket League and it is always good to play some matches before a series," he added.

"But the problem is that there is a big difference between playing at home and in New Zealand conditions."

The Tigers have extra time to ready themselves for the Test series though, which will get underway in Dunedin on January 4.