As Australia-Bangladesh Tests have not been a regular occurrence, one has to fall back upon nostalgic comparisons between a time gone by and the present when anticipating a series between the teams after an 11-year break. How much has changed in the approach of the Tigers in these 11 years? The contrast between then captain Habibul Bashar saying that his team were not scared of a domineering opposition 11 years ago and current captain Mushfiqur Rahim saying that they want to win the series reflects the different mindsets of the two generations.

However, there is one commonality -- positive vibes permeated the dressing room prior to the 2006 series and also ahead of the coming two-match Test series.

"Our main target was to survive against the world's best side during our maiden tour to Australia [2003]. But this time we are going to perform against them. I think it is difficult to make any plan successful against a team like Australia. We will be better off concentrate on our own game." 

On April 8, 2006, Bashar provided the above observation prior to the two-match Test series against Australia at home.

Bangladesh lost the series 2-0 despite coming desperately close to winning the first Test in Fatullah and Bashar said at the end of the series that the self-belief was the biggest achievement. “We feel now that we can push any team in the world. We are showing improvement, which is most important.”

The then Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said: “We have got the potential to bowl sides out in these conditions and win matches.”

One may be surprised at the similarity of tone in the words of the then coach and captain and those spoken by the incumbent coach and his charges, who often talk about their burgeoning strength in home conditions. 

Then, where lies the difference?

“There is a difference. Difference in experience, difference in number of match-winners, difference in ability to play big knocks, difference in top-order batsmen's batting averages, difference in the reality that the team has the world's number one all-rounder in their arsenal as well as a core group who know how to exploit home conditions,” said former skipper turned selector Bashar.

“Look, 11 years ago prior to the Australia series we had gained some momentum and self belief by winning some limited-over matches. If I am honest in my statement then I can tell you that we had overcome the fear despite the fact that then Australia were a formidable side. This current team also has the momentum ahead of the coming series but there is a difference between now and then as this current side has already established themselves as a big force in world cricket, especially their home win against England has simply changed the whole scenario,” he continued.

In Darwin and Cairns in 2003 they were very much at the steep end of the learning curve in the five-day game; Three years later when they faced the same opponents they were trying to find their footing; now in 2017 winning is their only motto.

Is it too ambitious?

“No, simply not… it may have taken a bit of time to mature in Test cricket -- though the lack of matches actually hindered our progress -- undoubtedly we have got a team who can win the match… yes, a Test match,” a confident and optimistic Bashar ended.