Fate works in a very mysterious way. The man who coached Bangladesh and took them to new heights left the job abruptly and his first assignment with his new team is a series against his old side. This is why Hathurusingha’s return to Bangladesh as the coach of Sri Lanka has caused much hype, with some expecting this to be a chance for Bangladesh to avenge the team.

However, Halsall stated that the match is against Sri Lanka players and not the coach. He also believes that the players’ abilities is what matters more than strategies.

"It won't be him we have to play against. It's the Sri Lanka players," Halsall said. "Talking of the strategies, how did it go in South Africa? Did the strategies work? Strategies are small part of players. Good players win you cricket matches. If you have good players playing well, you win cricket matches.”

While Bangladesh have done well at home of late, their away record hasn’t been up to the mark and Halsall acknowledges that. He stated that the team have a lot of great players, but they have to keep playing well.

"We have got lots of good players here but they did not play well in South Africa. They did play well in a couple of games in the Champions Trophy, specifically in the New Zealand game. So we have good players, we have to get them playing good cricket. That comes from your preparation and being back home always helps," he said.

Meanwhile, he also claimed that the Tigers are the more established side when compared to their Asian rivals, who have had a struggling time during their tour of India. As a result Halsall is confident about the side’s chances in the upcoming series.

 "We are playing Sri Lanka who had a tough time playing India just recently," Halsall said. "They have had moments in the ODIs against India but have not come through. So Sri Lanka, we know are a good side and got very good players but we are playing here in Mirpur and I think apart from the English side no one has beaten us here in three years or so.”

Finally, Halsall stated that the big players are still in the side, which is more important than a coach leaving. In comparison, Sri Lanka have a relatively younger side and have even dropped Lasith Malinga for the upcoming tour.

"Bangladesh comparatively are a settled side. The head coach leaving is less significant than big players leaving. None of our big players left, none of our young players have left but the coach has left. It's very different to Sri Lanka, who have lost some of their players... like Malinga not getting selected - those type things.