"Self-belief is the main difference" - Whatmore

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore who is set to resign after the forthcoming India series said Bangladesh has made giant strides in international cricket over the last few years and the confident and talented young players will continue to progress.

According to Dav, "self-belief" is the main difference between the current team and the previous Bangladesh.

"The Bangladeshi side of three years ago wouldn't have been able to overhaul the target of 192 (against India) or could not defend 251 (against South Africa). They have learnt to win and approach the game with a positive frame of mind" he said referring to the historic wins against India and South Africa.

Self-belief is the main difference - Whatmore © Getty Images

Whatmore in his first interview after taking the charge of Bangladesh said "We have to try and change that defeatist attitude. Individual improvement and collective improvement are the areas in which I am going to work on".

And he did exactly what he said and during his 4 years tenure has effectively turned a losing side into a winning outfit. He effectively instilled a new optimism and discipline to a team that had not won a single match for four years. The comprehensive transformation from the 'defeatist attitude' towards 'victorious approach' is the most significant achievement for Bangladesh cricket in years.

"It gives me a tremendous satisfaction to see a group of players who have come a long way since I joined in 2003. The team has changed and it will continue to change. It will always evolve. That's how I look at it" said Whatmore in his reaction to AFP.

"A lot of these boys are willing to work a lot harder out in the middle during difficult periods. I believe these young players will take Bangladesh to a long way".

Dav Whatmore took the helm of Bangladesh Cricket in June 2003 and will stay in charge until the end of May 2007. Upcoming home series against India will be his last series with Bangladesh.

Whatmore has led Bangladesh to 33 wins in 86 one-day internationals and also coached the side to a first ever test victory, against three draws and 21 defeats.