At the head of the youth brigade

Rajin Saleh Yes, this is the first chance I've had to captain the Bangladesh team. It is a highly respected role, so I am a very proud man at the moment. I work well with Dav, who has supported me ever since I came into the side, and the rest of the team is getting right behind me as well.

Dav Whatmore Rajin is a leader, for sure. Maybe he hasn't got that onfield experience, but he's a young lad with some wonderful qualities, and he's definitely one for the future. He takes particular pride in his physical fitness, and it makes a big difference when you have a captain who is athletic and is prepared to lead from the front in all areas.

RS We are definitely going to miss Habibul, but I hope that we can recover from his loss, and fill the gap by playing a few young guys in the team. I am only 23, so I know I am only a temporary replacement, but eventually I would like to be captain for several years, maybe even ten. As a team, we are not totally matured yet, but day-by-day we are improving, and one day I am sure we will come good.

DW The job is a big ask for Rajin, but fortunately he's got a really supportive group behind him, and he's receiving a lot of help from the senior players in the squad. That sort of attitude is great to see.

RS It is a problem, I know. When I get into the forties, I get nervous and tense up, but I spoke to Brian Lara about this when we were in the Caribbean. He told me to feel free at all times and just play my natural game. I have got good advice wherever I've been. I missed the tour to Australia, so I didn't get to speak to Steve Waugh, but Roshan Mahanama talked to me in Sri Lanka, when he was acting as match referee.

DW Rajin'll come good. He is just beginning to understand his game. Compared to a lot of the guys in the team, he is more of a worker of the ball, so he needs longer at the crease to get the same weight of runs that the big hitters manage. They are able to clear the boundary more often, but he's getting there nicely, no doubt.

RS We did well in the West Indies, but the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka was not so good. Still, everyone has recovered from that now, and we will be giving our very best in the Champions Trophy. West Indies and South Africa are both having a bad time, so we will be doing our level best to upset them. A great deal depends on our batting. If that goes all right, we could even win the match.

DW We had a bad series in Sri Lanka, but that's fine. It's very difficult to plot a developing side in a straight line. It doesn't happen like that. You improve, then dip a little, then improve again. Our rate of improvement is still heading in the right direction, even though it's not entirely in a straight line. It's funny, though - people seem to think we must be a better Test team, because we're no longer getting beaten inside three days. But we did draw a game on our own merit in the Caribbean, so there is a reason for what they are saying. If we can keep improving and take that extra step, we'll be all the more committed to victory.

RS That was a very upsetting time. We are not a rich country, so when the team got back to Bangladesh, everyone helped with the flood relief in whatever way they could. Those moments remind you that cricket is only a game, but it means so much to people all the same.

DW We were disappointed to lose in the final over of that match - I don't want that to recur very often at all. But it's been a good preparation period all the same, for this tournament and for next year's Test tour. We've had to cope with a lot of cold days, and that's got to be a good thing with an early-season Test in Durham next summer. But despite it all, we've picked up three wins in four matches, and that's a great tonic for the side.

DW We've got to keep an open mind for this one. Such is the structure, there will be eight teams leaving very soon. So all we can do is go out there to enjoy ourselves, and play the best cricket we can.