Bangladesh skipper Ashraful eyes repeat of Cup heroics

DHAKA, Aug 28 (Reuters) Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful is confident his team can reach the second round of the Twenty20 World Cup, emulating their performance in the one-day version of the tournament earlier this year.

Bangladesh face hosts South Africa and West Indies in the group stage of the 12-team championship to be played from Sept. 11-24.

''We've done it once,'' he told Reuters today. ''Naturally we are confident that we can do it again.'' In March, Bangladesh stunned India in the group phase of the World Cup in the Caribbean to reach the Super Eights round, where they also beat South Africa.

''We need to win just one game to go into the next stage and I think it is very much possible,'' said Ashraful, whose aggressive batting style is ideal for the shortest version of the sport.

''The win against South Africa in the Caribbean gives us the confidence that we can catch either of them,'' he added.

''The more a match gets shorter, it gives an underdog team more chance to win.'' Bangladesh leave for Kenya tomorrow to play in a four-nation warm-up event from Sept. 1-5, a competition that also involves Pakistan and Uganda.

Bangladesh played their only Twenty20 international last year when they defeated Zimbabwe.

REUTERS BJR PM1559