Talking to reporters after their final practice session in preparation for the tour of Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday, Ashraful sounded confident that the weeklong net sessions, indoors and outdoors at the centre wicket, would come in more than handy.

"Every member in this team has worked on their batting. We are starting with Test matches and I think that if we can succeed with the bat, we can go a long way in this tour," said the 23-year-old Ashraful.

"We have worked very hard over the last week and from my experience, I can tell you that the team look confident, going into this tough series."

Ashraful emphasised on their batting strategy during this camp since the last Tigers tour to the island only saw two half-centuries in Tests and only one in the shorter version.

He said: "We worked on ball selection -- which to leave and which to play. I think the amount of time we have given in the middle or at indoors will be valuable once we get going in the Test matches. Wherever we have practised, we have put more importance on our batting."

Interim coach Shaun Williams, who took over reigns from countryman Dav Whatmore, thanked the curators for preparing the wickets under difficult weather.

"We are fortunate to have had such good practice sessions given the conditions. Tribute must go to the curators for giving us everything we needed. I think we haven't missed a single session during this camp, and it is remarkable in this weather," said Williams.

It is a far cry from the preparatory camp for the 2005 tour to Sri Lanka during the monsoon. Then the Tigers went almost unprepared after a long tour from England, where they also encountered different conditions.

Ashraful commented that the current crop of players looked more confident than the last tour party that went south. Back in 2005, then captain Habibul Bashar termed it the 'worst tour ever' after Bangladesh were whitewashed in both forms.

"The difference from our last tour there and now is that we have done well in the one-day internationals over the past year. Players are more confident as a result and I think we can ensure a better show than last time," said the youngest captain in Bangladesh cricket history.

In spite of this, Ashraful acknowledged that Sri Lanka is a difficult place to play cricket for touring sides.

"Teams have struggled there. But we have players with runs and wickets under their belts and that gives self-belief. Our team have played together for the last 6 to 7 years from the under-13 level through to the national side and our goal is to try help each other and that keeps the team spirit so good."

Ashraful was certain that they would play their best team in the three-day practice match starting at the Colombo Colts ground from June 20. He said that first-hand knowledge about the Lankan players were a given and that the team management was more focussed on the Tigers rather than their illustrious opponents.

Williams, on his first international assignment, mentioned of the excitement but was reserved enough to say that it was all about the players out in the middle.

"The strength of these boys are their attitude and keenness. Every practice session, they arrive with more vigour and I think given their wealth of talent, it will be a good time to move forward in international cricket," said the third Australian to coach Bangladesh after Trevor Chappell and Whatmore.

The Bangladesh players, who went home yesterday after a long and fruitful camp in Mirpur, will be off to Colombo tomorrow night for three Tests and as many one-day internationals.