Ashraful - already a Test centurion (Allsport).

By Andy Hampson, PA Sport

Of all the Test playing nations, it is the chances of Bangladesh winning the World Cup which are the most akin to those of a cat in hell.

Since gaining entry to cricket's most elite group in 2000, Asia's fourth Test nation have hardly set the world alight.

Indeed, as the World Cup approaches once again their most memorable victory in either form of the game remains their shock win over Pakistan at Northampton in the last tournament.

Yet even that has been tainted by subsequent suggestions of match-fixing, and as Bangladesh enter their third year as a fully paid-up member of the sport's top table there is little to suggest more surprises are around the corner.

That is not to say it was ever going to be easy. New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe have all done their time as the world's rubbing rags - and any side, with the possible exception of Australia, would struggle if they fielded 11 debutants.

Bangladesh's problem is that even their experienced players are inexperienced, and changing that takes time.

It has been suggested Bangladesh's elevation by the International Cricket Council was rushed, neither their domestic structure nor their grounds being ready.

Certainly there have been problems in creating a first-class tier above the country's club competitions - and apart from Dhaka, where Test cricket had already been played by Pakistan, other arenas such as Chittagong were not up to scratch.

Such inadequacies are being put right now, however, and what the country does have in its favour is a fanatical cricket-loving population that should ensure, like Sri Lanka, they will not remain soft touches for long.

They already look to have a few talented youngsters who, once they have significant experience behind them, ought to serve the country well for years to come.

In Mohammad Ashraful, they already have the world's youngest Test centurion - and on the bowling front medium-pacers Talha Jubair and Manjural Islam have shown promise.

Wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud appears a dependable if unspectacular captain, and leg-spinning all-rounder Alok Kapali may develop into a useful player.

Yet while these players offer hope for the future, they will certainly have to learn the hard way in a side currently the most brittle in world cricket.

July's Test series defeat in Sri Lanka was just as one-sided as cricket gets, with the hosts winning by first an innings and 196 runs and then by 288 runs. They even racked up a record 509 in one day in the first match.

It was certainly a humiliating experience, and also worrying was the decision earlier in the year to sack coach Trevor Chappell. Considering the talent he had to work with it seemed a little harsh on the Australian. The move bore all the hallmarks of the panic management often typified by Pakistan, and certainly little has improved on the field since.

In new coach Moshin Kamal they have a positive character, however - and, although they may only make up the numbers in South Africa this time around, they may one day emerge as a new cricketing powerhouse.