Pakistan finally seem to be finding some substance in their continuous chatter of revolutionizing their approach. Against Bangladesh, they were able to put together a brilliant performance with both bat and ball to soar away with the victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. But more than anything, Pakistan would love some consistency, something that’s remained sorely elusive in whatever glory they have found lately. They look to have started off on the right foot, but how long that remains the case is a question both exhilarating and terrifying for them. Being cross with fate, they have seen many such comebacks go awry, especially when it matters the most. So, amidst the uncertainty that has been induced cruelly by their own mercurial nature, all they need is something that sticks for long enough to bring them meaningful victories.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, seem to have fallen further to the ground with that defeat in Lahore the other night. They were entirely clueless, barring a few overs early on, and so, unlike Pakistan, they do not have a picturesque view awaiting them at a distance to relay some hope. If they need to ditch their woes before the T20 World Cup, they have plenty of things to put right.
Team Overview:
Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman could not quite go the way Pakistan would have wanted them to, thereby creating panic among the team at the start. However, the way the rest of the batting lineup rectified things gave Pakistan the sort of confidence they aren’t very familiar with. Hasan Nawaz outdid himself with a 22-ball 44-run knock, which carried the element of how the middle order in general batted. Mohammad Haris, Salman Agha, and Shadab Khan helped Pakistan put a daunting total on the board, though they would have fancied some contributions from the lower middle order. With the ball, Hasan Ali had a dream comeback as he grabbed 5 wickets for just 30 runs in his four-over quota. With half the team sent in by Hasan, the remaining bowlers didn’t have much left to do.
Bangladesh bowlers sent Pakistan’s openers back to the hut in the first two overs, but there wasn’t much they could do after that. Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan collectively went for a staggering 91 runs. The batters, too, hardly showed any resistance. Barring Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, and Jaker Ali, no one even got past 20 runs in the pursuit of a 202-run target.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Pakistan have only lost to Bangladesh thrice in T20I games, while winning the remaining 17 matches.
Weather and Pitch Report:
Gaddafi Stadium was a batting paradise in the last game, as it so often acts like. The surface usually offers true bounce and a fast outfield, which makes it easier to hit the boundary rope, hence helping batters hold sway by timing their shots to perfection. It’s the second game of the season, and before it, all of the PSL’s playoffs were played here as well, which means the wear and tear of the track will help spinners. Fast bowlers with new balls always demand reverence here, and there’s little to suggest it’ll be any different tonight.
Prediction:
Pakistan would want to seal off the series in their favour in this game, and Bangladesh would most definitely have nothing to resist with.
Where to watch:
Pakistan: Tamasha, Tapmad
North America: WILLOW
Africa: SuperSport
Bangladesh: T SPORTS, Tapmad
UK: ARY DIGITAL
MENA: cricbuzz
Sri Lanka: Dialog
