Tigers hunt series ‘Bangla-wash’
In continuation of the Bangladesh cricket team’s memorable ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 campaign, Mashrafe Mortaza’s boys have successfully kept the momentum going with a historic series win against Pakistan, as they now go for the kill, a ‘Bangla-wash’.
On Wednesday Mortaza-led Bangladesh is going to take on a dejected and depleted Pakistan side with an intention of a clean sweep. Keeping the strengths of the hosts and limitations of the Azhar Ali-led Pakistan in mind, Tigers will look to register their third whitewash at home. The previous one was come against New Zealand. But the flavour of routing Pakistan will be different, reports cricketcountry.com.
In the previous two games of this series, tigers looked too strong for this new-look Pakistani side, with the latter getting outplayed in both games. It is hard to imagine that the victory in the first game of the series came after a gap of one and half decade. The record 178-run partnership of two senior players, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim on that game has to credited for that. Iqbal again backed it up with a match-winning hundred during Bangladesh’s chase in the second One-Day International (ODI). So whether he can get three tons on a trot, will be one of things to watch out for in the third and final ODI.
In bowling, left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny has emerged as a hero. His inspired spell in both games did not allow the Pakistan batsmen to get away. Another brilliant spell in the third game might cement his place for the first Test, which is schedule to start next week. Amongst other bowlers, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain were impressive as usual.
For Pakistan, problems are plenty. In batting their top order is not firing. In bowling their fast bowlers were not as effective as they were expected to be. Also Saeed Ajmal is looking like a below average bowler with a changed action. So captain Azhar, and coach Waqar Younis have to take some tough decisions. Umar Gul might get a game to add bit of experience in the bowling.
The good news for Pakistan is Mohammad Hafeez can now bowl in the third and final ODI. An overjoyed Hafeez took to social media to take the review committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board and former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq for helping him clear the bowling test conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
But, Pakistan need to win one game at least to salvage some pride. Can they do it? Highly unlikely.
Squads:
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Rony Talukdar, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Abul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Arafat Sunny
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (c), Sami Aslam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Sohail, Sohaib Maqsood, Saeed Ajmal, Zulfiqur Babar, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan.