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BOGRA, Mar 16 (BDNEWS): Bangladesh desperately want to write the next statistics in favour of them when the hosts take on Kenya in the first ODI in the Banlalink Tiger Cup series at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra Friday.
"Kenya looked good statistically comparing to us, but, we are now better team and more organised, and I'm sure there (series) will be different," Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar Sumon told reporters after having practice here Thursday morning.
The 33-year-old Bangladesh skipper said, "It will be fine to see the series result 4-0 in our favour, but we want to think this match by match."
He, however, did not underestimate the visitors saying: The team, who played in the World Cup semifinal, is definitely not a weak team and we will certainly take on Kenya in the first match with few strategies as they (Kenya) play power cricket, better than us.
Bangladesh conceded six defeats to Kenya in seven matches they had played. Even, Bangladesh suffered a 32-run defeat to Kenya in their last meeting in the ICC World Cup in 2003.
Bangladesh's only 6-wicket triumph over Kenya came in the triangular series involving India at Lal Bhahadur Shastri Stadium in May 1998.
Replying to a query, Bashar said, "We are not worried about the Kenyan match-winner Steve Tikolo as we had studied about the Kenyan cricketers and we are totally ready to face the Kenyan players tomorrow (Friday)."
Coach Dav Whatmore said, "They (Kenya) haven't play lot of cricket, but they still looks OK."
"We need to make the winning habit. We need to be consistent, and it will be good opportunity for that," said Whatmore.
Whatmore revealed the 12-member squad for the first ODI with keeping Shahadat Hossain Razib and Manjarul Islam Rana out from the 14-member team.
Kenyan skipper Steve Tikolo said, "The boys are looking forward to the game and we had hard practice today. We want to try hard and enjoy the game against Bangladesh."
Bangladesh squad: Habibul Bashar Sumon, Khaled Mashud Pilot, Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, Javed Omar, Mohammad Ashraful, Alok Kapali, Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Rafique, Aftab Ahmed, Syed Rasel, Abdur Razzak and Mashrafee Bin Mortaza.
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