We can win against Australia, says Bangladesh coach

Bangladesh coach Mohsin Kamal believes his inexperienced side could spring a surprise against world champions Australia during the ICC Champions Trophy.

The minnows have only won three One-Day Internationals in their 53-match history, including a controversial victory against Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup, but Kamal has seen sufficient raw talent during his two-month tenure in charge to be optimistic.

Bangladesh, though, face a daunting task in this 12-team tournament, needing to beat Australia and New Zealand to qualify for the semi-final stage.

"Australia and New Zealand are both better sides, but the hope is always there that we can win," he said. "One-day cricket is nobodies game, someone has to win and someone has to lose.

"The boys are looking forward to playing the likes of Glen McGrath and Jason Gillespie - that is the only way they are going to learn."

"We will always play positive cricket," he said. "We cannot think negative - cricket is played in the mind and in the dressing room."

"During our last tour of Sri Lanka we scored 226 at SSC after a good partnership between Tushar Imran and Khaled Mashud - on a different day we could have scored 250/260 and won that match."

But, win or lose, Kamal is most interested in the performance: "We are not interested in results, we are here to improve our cricket. I don't want to the boys to worry about losing."

Heavy monsoon rains have marred Bangladesh's preparations in Dhaka but Kamal is looking forward to practice games against Holland and England.

"Conditions were not really up to it in Bangladesh because of the rain so we have to make use of our chance to practice here before our first game against Australia on Sept 19," he said.

Bangladesh's strategy is focused on their all-rounders, with leg-spinners Alok Kapali and Mohammad Ashraful, one-day specialist Khaled Mahmud, left-arm spinner Mohammad Raffique and fast bowler Tapash Baisya all expected to chip in with bat and ball.