Pakistan played Bangladesh in the final match of the last edition of the Asia Cup two years ago in Dhaka. The hosts were heartbroken with a two-run defeat that time.
This time the Tigers, exhausted and battered by losing streak, see the match as a chance for redemption. The match will begin at 2pm local time Tuesday at the She-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.Bangladesh are still smarting over the slitting wound of a 32-run defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in their second match of the competition; they also lost their first to India by six wickets.
Tigers are still desperate to win and more so against Pakistan because the fans and officials are on the verge of raising questions about whether Bangladesh may still have something to prove.
Bangladesh won their last match against Pakistan almost a decade and a half ago in the World Cup of 1999.
Bangladesh wants to leave injuries, controversies, bans behind and only for the win tomorrow. Shakib-Al-Hasan’s return to the squad, concluding his ban of three matches, will provide some boost for the team’s morale.
There was a time when the condition of Tigers’ success on home ground rested on the left-arm spin-trio. Shakib’s return confirms that Bangladesh will play a spin-trio consisting of him, Abdur Razzak and Arafat Sunny.
Bangladesh is feeling the absence of opener Tamim Iqbal, who is fighting with injury, to the bones in every match. Anamul Haque and Shamsur Rahman have opened five one-days together so far. Their tenure at the wicket together is 2, 5, 4, 31 and 36 balls respectively.
Number three Mominul Haque has had to face the fight from the first over in three matches. Only twice did the pair add two-digits to the score in the opening partnership. The figures may bring in Imrul Kayes to the best XI if changes are made.
Nasir Hossain’s poor form has left the Tigers wanting in the middle-order. He failed to produce runs even in bad balls against Afghanistan. Despite being rewarded five lives, he failed to score more than 41 runs.
Nasir’s batting figures in the last 11 innings in his first loss of form in international cricket goes like this – 41, 1, 38, 22, 8, 8, 16, 42, 4, 29 and 5. Mahmudullah Riyad’s inclusion, replacing Shohag Gazi, will add depth in the hosts’ batting line-up.
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim believes victory against Pakistan is not impossible, despite their opponents being strong.
“We can defeat any team if we perform well in all three departments. The basics need to be dealt with correctly. And during times of need we have to give it our best.”
Pakistan are on the edge of a spot in the finals of the competition with two straight victories in three matches.
However, the Pakistan Captain Misbah-ul-Haq, is not taking the Tigers, who are on a losing streak, lightly.
“They are a dangerous team in their own backyard. Besides they have Shakib back. We have to do our basics properly. And give our best out in the field.” – bdnews24.com
