Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has prepared the draft itinerary of Zimbabwe tour to Bangladesh, which is expected to get the approval in the board of directors meeting today.

During the 19-day trip, Zimbabwe will play a one-day warm-up game on October 25 and a four-dayer against Bangladesh A on November 7-10 at Mirpur besides five ODIs.

The first three one-day internationals will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on October 27, 29 and 31 while the remaining two games will be held on November 3 and 5 at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.

The Tigers then will play a tri-nation series involving India and Sri Lanka at home that will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur from January 4 to January 13 next year.

The tri-nation tournament will be followed by a two-match Test series against India. The first Test is scheduled for January 17 to January 21 at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium while the second Test will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur from January 24 to January 28.

Bangladesh’s next away series is in New Zealand in February 10 to 19 where the Tigers will play one Test and three one-day internationals besides a T20 game but the schedule is yet to be confirmed.

England will tour to Bangladesh to play three one-day warm-up matches against BCB XI, three ODIs, one 3-day warm-up match against Bangladesh A and two Tests from February 17 to March 25.

After the series Bangladesh will fly for West Indies to play the ICC World T20 in April-May. Bangladesh has been pitted in a group with Australia and Pakistan.

In 2010, Bangladesh cricket team will also visit England to play one one-day warm-up game, two three-dayers, one four-day, three ODIs and two Tests from May 6 to June 17.

‘Being number one team in South Asia is our first goal and I hope Dido has all the capabilities to achieve that.’

Dido was realistic about his aspirations while talking to reporters after signing the deal.

How do you feel about the new challenge?
Happy to be officially appointed as the Bangladesh national coach. Well, I am not an unknown person to Bangladesh footballers as I was the coach of Vietnam when Bangladesh played against them in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, back n 2001. I have become Bangladesh coach as a continuation of the relationship. I had been involved with Asian football for a while and hope I will be successful in raising the level of Bangladesh football.

What are your plans at the moment?
My immediate job will be to prepare the national team for the AFC Challenge Cup, to be held in April, after that I will work with the long-term plans but before that I want to sit with my backroom staff with the main focus on the U-23 national team and other jobs. I also hope to help the local coaches, and exchange views on the concept of modern football so that they can also develop, we need to impart the basics to the young boys so that they can develop and turn into good football players.

What are the shortcomings of the players of Asia?
I have observed a number of bad habits like when you are not in the game you don’t maintain the routine of a footballer and not taking the ideal preparation for committing yourself as a true professional, it my duty to make sure the Bangladesh footballers are out of it.

Say something about your coaching method
Well, I have a Brazilian background with a mixture of Dutch football, I like to work with all two, and for me football is not all about tactics and system, I believe in winning and for that you have to play offensive football. My method is for offensive football, you have to have the best defence which will be attacking, but the most important thing is to reach these goals, you have to educate your players.

What about motivation?
Motivating the players is important; players must think that they have the abilities to be top players, not to be afraid of anyone in the world, just believe in what they are capable of doing, it is a long way to change the player’s mentally and changing their behaviour. A coach has to think about the culture also because you can’t change the culture.

On Bangladesh players
I have seen a group of talented players but I feel their physical condition should be better as physical condition is very important to reach the upper level; you can’t separate physical condition and good standards of football.

Do you have the proper infrastructure?
Infrastructure is not always the solution, you need proper planning and implementation, I have not seen all football infrastructure of Bangladesh but I will definitely ask the federation what I require. I am not afraid of taking up the challenge for I have seen teams with almost nothing but they succeeded in raising their level.