Afghans up for the challenge

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi was not overburdened by the 546-run defeat in the lone Test against Bangladesh last month, saying it would serve as a good lesson as the visitors gear up to shift to more familiar white-ball surroundings when they face Bangladesh in the first of the three-match ODI series tomorrow in Chattogram.

Bangladesh's pacers were instrumental during the Tigers' record Test win and, given the recent rise in the hosts' pace unit, the visitors did their homework in terms of tackling the seamers during a 14-day training camp in Abu Dhabi.

"That Test gave us a lot of lessons. We are well prepared now since we have been in a preparation camp in Abu Dhabi for the past two weeks. We are prepared for everything and [to give] what was missing in that Test. Some of the players from the ODI side were not part of that Test match, but we still know what is expected and we are prepared for that. We did a lot of practice in terms of facing pacers," Shahidi told reporters in Chattogram yesterday.

The Afghan captain was reminded of the Tigers' strengths in the ODI format and opined that his side had also been in good form so he was expecting a tough competition, especially as they will be bolstered by the return of star cricketer Rashid Khan alongside the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi -- who were not part of the lone Test.

"We have someone like Rashid in our team and that gives me and the entire team a lot of confidence. That's a positive because he didn't play the Test and now he is available. I know he will do well for us," he said.

The ODI series is going to be crucial for both Bangladesh and Afghanistan since the two sides will face each other in their first fixture of the ICC World Cup in India this year.

"This series is important for both the teams because we know each other very well and we have the Asia Cup [coming up]. This series will be a good opportunity for us to judge an opposition like Bangladesh. We will assess their bowling and batting and that will give us some good information both for the Asia Cup and World Cup," said Shahidi.

Although the visiting team are yet to have a look at the surface at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Shahidi said they were well versed in the conditions and pitch from past experiences.