DHAKA: Tigers’ captain Mashrafe Mortaza said his team were preparing for a full game against Australia on Saturday, although the chances of a 50-over game are minimal after Cyclone Marcia made landfall on the Queensland coast in the early hours of Friday. 

Both teams had indoor practice sessions on the eve of the match.

Mashrafe said that the mindset of focusing only on the shared point was a negative one but admitted he would not "mind" taking away one point as Bangladesh could struggle in the match due to their lack of experience of playing at the Gabba.

"I think it is negative to think of only the one point," Mashrafe said. "We are preparing to play a full match. We don't want to play a curtailed game as forming a team combination becomes harder. We are disappointed with the rain but preparation difficulties have been there for both sides. But they are used to playing in these conditions and missing a few days wouldn't matter to them. We needed at least some time to bat and bowl in the nets here. We definitely want to play. It would be some experience playing against this Australian side.

"We are not looking for the one point, but definitely playing against Australia, I feel like in Gabba it is a different experience. We'll have to see if the game is happening. If we can play good cricket in here, definitely it will help in the future against Sri Lanka, against New Zealand. So it is disappointing for us. Also, if you can get one point, whatever is happening is happening for good, so we don't mind that."

Mashrafe said that Bangladesh are likely to make changes to the line-up that beat Afghanistan, to suit the change in pitches and conditions. On a flat batting deck at the Manuka Oval, they employed eight batsmen but the inclusion of an extra bowler is a possibility.

"We have to get out of the winning combination," he said. "There are varied conditions in this tournament so we have to select a team according to those conditions.

"We made a reasonable start with the bat in the last match, though we had a bit of a wobble towards the end. I thought Shakib and Mushfiqur batted brilliantly. As always, there is room for improvement. Those who didn't score in the last game, I am sure they are geared for this game."

Mashrafe also welcomed back Michael Clarke - who is slated to make his return to international cricket on Saturday - but stressed that his side would do well not to think about Clarke or the composition of Australia's batting line-up.

"He [Michael Clarke] is a great player, and definitely Australia need him," Mashrafe said. "It is good that he has come back into the side. We have nothing to lose in this match. We just need to play our best cricket. We can't think about their combinations or selection. They have enough superstars in their line-up to change the course of the match."

Bangladesh were also inspired by a near full house in Canberra on Wednesday, in their first match of the World Cup, as their own supporters outnumbered locals and Afghanistan fans. Mashrafe said he was looking forward to something similar in Brisbane.

"We had a reception here last night," he said. "I said there that we are here on a purpose. We are all working hard towards it. Back home, 160 million people are looking at us. The expatriates here have also been a huge help.

"Canberra was amazing, seemed like we were playing back in Bangladesh. I am sure there will be a big crowd here stoo. Australia will have the majority of support but Bangladeshis will turn up."

Source: ESPNcricinfo.com

BDST: 1411 HRS, FEB 20, 2015