'We'll be proper in a proper match'

So Bangladesh played two practice games and lost them in contrasting fashion against Pakistan and India respectively going into the Champions Trophy opener against England in a couple of days' time.

They lost against Pakistan after posting a massive total courtesy of a late thunderstorm from a non-descript Faheem Ashraf. And yesterday they suffered a massive 240-run defeat at The Oval, chasing India's 324. The low point of the contest was a stunning Bangladesh collapse that saw them at one stage reeling at 22-6.

But Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha, while taking to reporters in the mixed zone after the India game, tried to hide his frustration at the fact that it was understandably the worst possible way to start a big tournament after doing so well for the past month when they beat New Zealand in the Ireland tri-series.

"We have tried different combinations in both the practice games. Our target was to take the positives out of the two games and that's what we are going to do," Hathurusingha retorted when confronted with the question of how disappointed he was after the two practice games.

"We didn't score runs. They bowled well at the start. So it showed how important it is to have a good start that we had in the last few games. I think they bowled well," said the coach.

He also ruled out the idea of a change in the wake of two demoralising defeats.

"There is nothing to change, it's only two practice matches. But once the tournament starts our approach is going to be different. Our preparation has been spot on over the past month. Even today except for our batting, which was wayward, we did well," the coach observed.

"I think we understand the conditions. We got 300-plus in the first practice game. We know this tournament will be a high-scoring affair because of the pitches," he continued.

Asked if he was angry at the shot selection by some his players, he said: "Me getting angry? No, some concern. They had to make good decisions in the middle and they could have been selective with some of their shots on a wicket where the bowlers were getting assistance in overcast condition."

"Then again it's only a practice game. When we will get into a proper game we will be proper in our approach," said Hathurusingha in a forceful voice.

He said that despite the defeat he was very impressed with pace bowler Rubel Hossain, who picked up three wickets.

"He has been bowling well since Ireland. He has bowled well today [Tuesday]. I think this is a positive we can take and it will help us in our bowling combination."