Asia Cup 2018: Super Four, Match 6, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Preview- Records indicate Pakistan as firm favourites in do-or-die clash

The conditions aren't expected to soothing and the players can expect for another tough day in the office.

Published - 25 Sept 2018, 14:58 IST | Updated - 25 Sept 2018, 14:58 IST

2 Min Read

Pakistan are battered and bruised, to say the least, following their nine-wicket defeat against India in the Asia Cup. The Men in Green showed some fight with the willow, however, their bowling turned out to be toothless owing to which the Indian openers made a mockery of the target. Subsequently, they have been a recipient of severe criticism even from their own countrymen.

Sarfraz Ahmed and Co are next scheduled to play Bangladesh at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the encounter is a virtual semi-final for both the teams. The Tigers, on the contrary, roared back to defeat Afghanistan after their shambolic loss against Rohit Sharma’s men. They survived a lucky-escape in their last match courtesy of a stupendous last over from Mustafizur Rahman.

The odds for the upcoming encounter are stacked against Bangladesh for the reason that Pakistan are yet to lose a match against Mashrafe Mortaza’s team in the ODI format of the multi-nation event. However, the Green Army have lost their last three matches against Bangladesh. The conditions aren’t expected to soothing by any means and the players can expect for another tough day in the office.

Team Combination

Pakistan

Pakistan may include experienced fast bowler Junaid Khan in place of Mohammad Amir, who has been off-colour for quite a while now, especially in the shorter formats. Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman have blown hot and cold in the event and can’t afford another lacklustre show. Babar Azam has looked one of their more in-form players and his role in the middle-order will be crucial.

Sarfraz Ahmed also looked decent in the previous match. Shoaib Malik has arguably been Pakistan’s best batsmen in the event and his team would look up to him for another impressive performance. The Men in Green are also likely to stick with the spin-duo of Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan. Apart from Junaid, the pace-battery has Hasan Ali and left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Predicted XI

Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (C & wk), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Afridi

Bangladesh

The Tigers are likely to give Soumya Sarkar an opportunity. The axe is most likely to come down on Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who has flattered to deceive in his first three matches. Opening batsman Liton Das, after faltering in the first half of the tournament, looked in decent touch against the Afghans. Mohammad Mithun would also be desperate to find his form back.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, both of whom succumbed to run-outs in the erstwhile encounter, would want to make amends and make a strong comeback. Moreover, the onus will also be on Imrul Kayes in the middle-order. The bowling unit won’t be tinkered with. Left-arm spinner Nazmul Hossain will be persisted with bearing in mind the slow nature of the wicket in Abu Dhabi.

Predicted XI

Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Nazmul Islam

Players to watch out for

Fakhar Zaman- Pakistan

After a stupendous start to his international career, Fakhar Zaman has got a reality check in the ongoing event courtesy of a string of low scores. He has already bagged a couple of ducks against India and Afghanistan. The southpaw seemed to find his rhythm back in the last match but was dismissed when he had got his eyes. Pakistan would wish for the opener to contribute against Bangladesh.

Mushfiqur Rahim- Bangladesh

The Bogra-born cricketer was outstanding in the first match against Sri Lanka but has ever since been a tad indifferent. After sitting out for the last Group B match, he couldn’t convert his starts against India and Afghanistan in the Super 4’s. He is undoubtedly a stalwart in the batting armoury and needs to step up in order for the Tigers to turn the tables on Pakistan.