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ST.JOHN'S, Antigua - Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar said his team were not intimidated about facing champions Australia in their opening World Cup Super Eights match on Saturday.
"They might be the world champions but they are not unbeatable," he told reporters on Friday. "If we get everything together, we think we can do it.
"It is hard but not impossible."
Despite Bashar's comments, his team would be happy to even compete against a team who have dominated their four previous matches after averaging almost 350 runs.
The lowest total for the team seeking an unprecedented hat-trick of titles has been 322 for six in a 103-run victory over hosts West Indies in their first Super Eights match.
Bangladesh were surprise qualifiers from Group B behind Sri Lanka. They handed India a shock defeat to eventually eliminate the 1983 champions.
"The first round was very tough for us but the boys were confident," he said. "We're trying to believe we can repeat those performances."
Bangladesh were frustrated after heavy rain prevented them from training at the Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday.
Despite the obstacles, the sub-continent side will also be encouraged by their 2005 upset victory over Australia in Cardiff after Mohammad Ashraful scored a 100.
Their five-wicket victory over India also revealed the batting confidence of teenagers Tamim Iqbal and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who both stroked fluent fifties.
"The team has got a lot of performers these days," Bashar said. "We beat New Zealand in a warm-up game and got a good win against India.
"We now strongly believe if we play together, we can beat anyone."
Bashar said the players were focussing on their own form rather than concentrate on the daunting Australian challenge that lies ahead.
"We had a team talk and I heard from all the boys that they feel they are not finished yet," he said.
"Sometimes when you play a team like India, if you think too much, plan too much, it is not going to happen.
"It's better to go out there with a positive mind and play whatever you can. That is what we're planning to do."
- REUTERS
