A 16 member Bangladesh cricket team left Dhaka yesterday for Sharjah, UAE to take part in

the Pepsi Asia Cup tournament. beginning in the desert city from tomorrow.

The minnows of the four-nation meet will take on three -time champions India on the inaugural day with Akram Khan . leading the local charge.

Bangladesh, the only nonTest playing side in the prestigious meet, will play their second match against Srl Lanka the very next day. Thursday, before facing the World Cup champions Pakistan In their last league match on April 8.

Undoubtedly the underdogs. Bangladesh with a relatively capable batting line-up should still offer good competition to their more accomplished cricketing neighbours.

We will adopt a positive approach in the meet." said manager Roqulbul Hassan prior to the team's departure last night.

Roqulbul. a former national captain, added that his boys are keen to Improve upon their previous results against India. Pakistan and Sri Lanka

With the tall Athar All Khan set to open the Bangladesh innings. Sajjad Ahmed Mansur Shipon and Habibul Bashar Sumon, the two young righthanders. are expected to make their Bangladesh debut while skipper Akram Khan, vice-captain Amlnul Islam Bulbul and the experienced Minhazul Abedin Nanhu wtH form th? middle order.

This is Akram's first overseas visit as Bangladesh captain since the attacking middleorder batsman took charge from an out-of-form Faruque Ahmed, who led Bangladesh in the disastrous Kenyan tour for the ICC trophy last year.

"We may not have the necessary fire power but we will not give up without a fight,' said Akram Khan, who led Bangladesh t'o a thrilling win against the second string Indian selection in the SAARC cricket tournament in Dhaka

last year.

Following is the squad : Akram Khan (captain): Amlnul Islam Bulbul (vice-captain): Minhazul Abedin Nannu. Athar All Khan. Enamul Huq Moni, Saiful Islam. Mohammad Rafique. Anisur Rahman. Khaled Masud Pilot. Habibul Hassan Shanto. Nalmur Rahman Durjoy Habibul Bashar Sumon. Sajjad Ahmed Shipon and Javed Omar Beltrn Golla

Saber Hossain Chowdhury a BCCB member, will accom- ' pany the team as chef-de-mis-sion while former national skipper Raquibul Hassan will act as the team manager.