Whatever Pakistan were hoping to find at the Shere Bangla Cricket Stadium, it certainly wasn’t getting bundled out for 110 and then following it up with a dismal bowling and fielding display. They were jolted awake by Bangladesh’s strong performance, which, rightly so, earned the home team their first bilateral win in the format against Pakistan since 2015.
Only one victory stands between Bangladesh and finally downing the Goliath. In a T20I series with at leats two games, Bangladesh have always been on the wrong side. But now that they are on a mission to fix everything broken, they might as well overcome the demons they know in the shape of Pakistan.
The visitors have only themselves to blame for their woeful performance on Sunday. Themselves, and perhaps the pitch. Pakistan’s coach lambasted the surface at the venue after the game for offering no help to the batters. Unfortunately, results aren’t known to be affected by how the strip plays. Which means the visitors have to back themselves to halt Bangladesh from turning the last game into a dead rubber.
Team Overview:
Pakistan’s top order was expected to start recklessly. It wasn’t outrageous, especially when three out of the top four are under 25 years of age. The bowling attack carried almost the same inexperience. Barring Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz, none of the remaining bowlers had ever set foot in Bangladesh before the daunting task of defending 110 in the first T20I came their way. Pakistan captain Salman Agha, however, thinks the bowlers outdid themselves, and with a few more runs to defend, Pakistan might have even crossed the line.
The visitors are unlikely to make any changes, especially to the batting lineup, which Salman and Hesson had earlier said they would back despite the results. But Pakistan do not have much breathing room. They most certainly wouldn’t want their build-up to the World Cup beginning with a series loss against a team they have historically dominated quite conveniently.
Everything has come together for Bangladesh at the right time. The batting lineup is firing. The bowling lineup is fit and menacing. All of this just as they begin to gear up for the World Cup. Litton Das, though, couldn’t continue what was deemed his return to form. But with Parvez Hossain Emon on a roll this year, Bangladesh need not worry about putting runs on the board. So far, he has scored two fifties – both of which came against Pakistan in contrasting conditions – and one hundred, and yet he looks far from done. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman combined for five wickets in the first game, reiterating what their presence means for the side.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Bangladesh have only ever won four T20I games against Pakistan, who have won the remaining 19 out of 23 games.
Weather and Pitch Report:
There was plenty of discussion about the sort of surface Shere Bangla Stadium dished out for the first game, but it wasn’t a surprise. If T20I games in the last couple of years are anything to go by, the surface was destined to play the way it did. And as unapologetically as it possibly could, Shere Bangla will once again shower all its love on bowlers, making run-scoring the bane of batters’ existence.
Prediction:
Bangladesh need one win to flip history over, and with everything going their way, this game might be where they finally do it.
Where to Watch:
Pakistan: Tapmad, Tamasha, PTV Sports, A Sports, Ten Sports
Bangladesh: T Sports, Nagorik TV, Rabbithole
India: FanCode
MENA: Cricbuzz
Africa (except North Africa): SuperSport
US: Willow TV
Rest of the World: BCB YouTube Channel
