Team Tigers fresh from a huge win against Afghanistan at Lahore appears in a major dog fight against the title aspirant of the Asia Cup Pakistan at the same ground in a few hours from now.
It does not matter that Pakistan is the top ranked ODI team now and Bangladesh is not much consistent. But Bangladesh Pakistan contest at what ball contest always produced high intensity contest. Bangladesh always gets inspiration from 31 May 1999 historical World Cup win at Northampton. Bangladesh also whitewashed Pakistan at home in 2015. But in Asia Cup Bangladesh lost to Pakistan after keen contest twice by the barest of margin.
Pakistan with fearsome bowling attack and formidable batting strength is hot favorite in the present world cup. Bangladesh usually a fierce competitor in ODI format just bounced back into contention with a huge win against Afghanistan after losing to Sri Lanka in the first match.
At Lahore in a very important match today Bangladesh has a huge task at hand proving its consistency against a very strong Pakistan team. It will largely depend how Bangladeshi batsmen specially the top order absorbs the threat of fast and furious Shaeen Afridi, Nasim Shah and Harris Rauf. And then how Taskin, Shoriful, Mustahfiz, Shakib and Meraz deal with Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq and Mohammad Rizwan. Bangladesh mission Asia Cup got yet another huge blow as leading run getter Nazmul Shanto, who was in red hot form had to exit from the scene with a hamstring tear. Litton Das, who joined the team after recovering from viral fever has already joined the team.
It will largely depend how quick he gels with the team. As steady performance of the top order will be the key. Otherwise, Bangladesh must not make too much experiment. Against Afghanistan Bangladesh bowled maintaining good line and length and fielded superbly. On a batting friendly surface against a very formidable batting unit there is very little scope of erring by the bowlers. On hot humid day winning the toss and batting will also give the team huge advantage.
Just because Litton has returned must not change the batting plan. Naim and Miraz should open and Litton Should play at number three. Shakib and Mushfique should play at four and five as encountering the incisive new ball attack of Pakistan will be the key. Bangladeshi batsmen should better manage Fahim Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha in the middle over. Off course depending on circumstance smart Shakib will shuffle the batting order.
If Bangladesh batsmen can survive the first 10 overs without losing more than one wicket, they can consolidate from there and try to produce 280+. The talented all round bowling attack of Taskin, Shoriful, Mustahfiz, Shakib and Miraj can try and defend the total as Bangladesh this days field well.
In this big match Shakib and Mushfique, the two big boys are expected to deliver. If Litton, Towhid Ridoy can turn on their A game Bangladesh has no reason to worry much with their batting.
Coming to bowling Taskin and Shoriful should try to remove Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam early before they cause much dent. I think Shakib and Mehedy Miraj can strangle Rizwan, Iftikhar and Shadab. Off Course Bangladesh must have their contingency plan B ready. Pushing Mehedy up the order gives Bangladesh an option to include a sixth bowling option. Afif and Shamim can together bowl 6-8 overs if required.
But writing from 10,000 KM away from the scene seating in an air-cooled room and executing in the ground against a very strong unit is different. If Bangladesh can play as an inspired unit not willing to lose nothing will be impossible. A win today will give a big boost to Bangladesh cause. The entire Bangladesh nation will rejoice from wherever in the globe they are. Hope tiger roars today.
Pakistan XI: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman , Imam ul Haq , Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha , Iftikhar Ahmed, Fahim Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nasim Shah and Haris Rauf
Bangladesh Possible Xi: Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Litton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Sheikh Shamim Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmood / Mustafizur Rahman.
