Bangladesh national team assistant coach Nick Pothas expressed his desire to make themselves proud by securing some monumental achievements in the forthcoming ICC World Cup in India.

With the approaching marquee competition that is scheduled to be played in October–November of this year in mind, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has come up with some bold initiatives.

The first and foremost among them is that they have returned their former head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, after releasing South African coach Russell Domingo.

Soon after his recruitment, the Tiger administration reshaped the Bangladesh national team side by including some exciting talents such as Rony Talukdar, Shamim Hossain, Rejaur Rahman Raja, and Tanvir Islam, who proved their worth on the big stages by showcasing their sterling performances in various bilateral series both at home and overseas.

This is not the end; the exclusion of Bangladesh’s veteran campaigner Mahmudullah due to his lackluster performance in the home series against England and the inclusion of Mushfiqur Rahim at his position [6] were well-timed decisions.

No doubt, it was all part of the World Cup planning.

‘What every country is looking for in the World Cup, I don’t think we are any different. This group—the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the players – are hugely ambitious. We want to do ourselves proud in the World Cup,’ said Nick on Thursday in an official press conference in Mirpur.

The 49-year-old South African further directed his charges to give their best in the showcase event, adding that they shouldn’t worry about what is not within their reach.

‘Let’s give our best. That’s what you can do at a World Cup in any sport. It always throws up surprises. Let’s worry about our own house. I am sure we will be okay.’

Before going into the World Cup, Bangladesh are set to play a crucial home series against their Afghan counterparts that includes a one-off Test alongside three one-day internationals and two Twenty20Is.

The series is scheduled to kick off with the lone Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium from June 14 to 18.

Given the Afghans' world class spin attack set up by Rashid Khan, Mohhamd Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman a speculation is already taking place in the country’s cricket fraternity that winning over the visitors wouldn’t be a sure thing.

Terming the challenge as ‘’exciting," Nick said that they need to deal with it in an exciting manner as well.

‘They have a top spin attack, so the challenge is exciting. The excitement is in solving the problem. Having said that, you have to play the seam before you get to the spin.’

‘We can’t focus all our attention on spin and before we know it, we are five down against seam. We will do our analysis and research.’

‘Come the time, Test match is like a game of chess. We have to make sure we have solutions for what they bring. It is exciting.’

Are Bangladesh overcautious against Afghanistan spinners? Responding to the question, the Tigers assistant coach voiced his unwillingness to make a comment.

‘If I have to tell you that, we don’t have any secrets.’