Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu on Friday said Bangladesh were an improving side and deserved respect in the international arena. "Over the years they have shown potential and are improving. We will play our normal game and give our best," Atapattu said ahead of the two Tests and three one-dayers between the South Asian teams.
"You can't take any side lightly in international cricket."
Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore was confident of doing well on the month-long tour after his team beat Australia by five wickets in a tri-series match in England this June.
"The win against the Australians was sensational," said Whatmore, a former Australian Test cricketer who coached Sri Lanka during their 1996 World Cup triumph.
"Too many people wouldn't have thought that we were capable of doing so and I hope we'll be able to keep the momentum during our tour of Sri Lanka," said Whatmore, who was cautious about his team's prospects.
"Sri Lanka are ranked second in the International Cricket Council (ICC) points table and that itself tells you the story," he said.
"That's a reflection of how well they have played in recent times, particularly at home, and we are looking forward to the challenge."
Sri Lanka's new Aussie coach Tom Moody said they would go all out in the series.
"On our part it's vital for us to play our best possible side. Bangladesh are improving all the time and with plenty of cricket ahead we must keep the momentum. We need to take these matches very seriously," Moody said. Sri Lankan selectors have named a full strength side including Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas who were down with injuries during a recent tri-series at home featuring India and the West Indies.
The tour gets underway with a warm up game against Board President's XI in Moratuwa with the first one-dayer scheduled for August 31 at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground here.
The next two one-dayers on September 2 and 4 will be held at the Premadasa Stadium here, which will also host the first Test from September 12-16.
The second Test will be held at the Saravanamuttu Stadium, also in Colombo, from September 20-24.