DHAKA, Jan 23, 2020 (BSS)- Leaving the security concerns behind them, Bangladesh is determined to come all guns blazing as they take on Pakistan for the first of three-match T20 Internationals tomorrow (Friday) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The match begins at 3 pm as per Bangladesh Standard Time.
They are given a tight security in the country in which they are touring
for the first time since 2008 but Bangladesh remained unfazed by it,
insisting that they want to fully focus on cricket only.
This the first phase of the bilateral series in which they would also play
two Tests and an ODI in two more phases in February and April.
For the time being, the Test and ODI cricket is not in Bangladesh’s mind as
they want to keep up their upward trend in the T20 format.
The Tiger’s confidence to do well against Pakistan stemmed from their
recent performance, which is way better than the opponents.
In their last 10 matches in this format, Bangladesh won five matches
including one against mighty India and lost five matches. Pakistan won just
one match and lost a staggering number of eight matches in their last 10
encounters. One match of Pakistan against Sri Lanka was washed out due to
rain.
Overall in 92 T20 Internationals, Bangladesh won 30 in contrast of losing
60 while two matches were abandoned.
Pakistan played 149 T20 matches so far in which they won 90 and lost 55
while four matches were either abandoned or tied.
Despite the upper-hand in overall stat, Pakistan would face off Bangladesh
in the first T20 on the back of six straight defeats.
Still Pakistan is ranked No.1 team in this format, vastly due to their wins
in previous matches in which they were consistent.
But a series defeat to Bangladesh would potentially demote them as
Australia is heavily breathing on them with 269 points while they have 270
rating points. England with 265 points, New Zealand with 262 points and India
with 260 points —all has the chance to surpass Pakistan if Bangladesh wins
the series.
A win in the series also would see Bangladesh to make a giant stride in
rankings.
However, Bangladesh who are now ranked ninth in this format, is expected to
pose a danger to Pakistan even at their own den, bolstered by their recent
performance and Pakistan’s downhill trend.
Moreover Pakistan though recalled Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez to add
experience to the squad, they left out their best bowler Mohammad Amir, who
was always a nemesis for Bangladesh.
The Tigers are also without the service of Mushfiqur Rahim, who opted out
the tour due to family concern and Shakib Al Hasan-serving two years ban,
with one year of that suspended imposed by ICC.
The absence of two stalwarts even couldn’t dent the mood largely due to the
performance of the players in the recently concluded Bangabandhu Bangladesh
Premier League (BBPL).
All of the players who made the cut in the team have been in superb form
in the tournament and it is believed if they could translate their BBPL form,
Bangladesh would find it easier to get past Pakistan.
“No doubt Pakistan has been really good in this format but if you look at
our performance, we are a fast improving side. We have won some memorable
matches in this format of late, which enhanced our confidence and we believe
we can beat any team in the world. Just what we need to do is to keep up the
momentum and raise our bar at right moment,” Bangladesh T20 captain
Mahmudullah Riyad said.
“We’re preparing well. We have some young talented players who proved
themselves in the age-level cricket as well as in the domestic level. The
batsmen did well in the BPL while the bowlers performed up to the mark. I
believe that we have the ability to win the series in Pakistan,” he
concluded.