DHAKA: Toady 19 April 2015 may turn out to be a historic day of achieving new milestone in the sporting history of Bangladesh.
Mashrafee-led tiger squad can achieve an enviable glory in winning the ODI series against superior Pakistan. If that happens, that will open the door for yet another Bangla-wash.
Bangladesh has so far white washed New Zealand, Zimbabwe and West Indies in ODI series. It has won at least one match against all ICC full members. Winning a series and if that happens a white wash will be a major boost. The present Bangladesh team is more than competent for it.
But that does not mean that the present Pakistan team is weak or under strength. It still has several high quality players who individually and collectively can win matches. Bangladesh still has to play to its full potential, remain focused and remain aggressive.
Shell-shocked Pakistan team will definitely bounce back with all guns blazing. They will leave nothing unturned in desperate bid to restore parity in the series. It is what Bangladesh has to exploit .Desperate persons are prone to make mistakes.
Bangladesh will have its dynamic captain Mashrafee back in business. His mere presence always ignites hopes. What a cricket personality Mashrafee is?
He is one who gives his all to his team to his country. Who else would have even bothered to continue playing after seven major surgeries? But here is a person who inspires his team, leads them from the front with personal example.
Mashrafee presence oozes out the best from everyone.
Bangladesh had excellent body language in the last match from start till end. They must not relax. There is still some room for improvement. Soumya was a little bit edgy. But that can happen for a new comer .He is maturing. He is a quality player and a great find of recent world cup.
Tamim will be much more relaxed. He can take lot of pressure off his young partner. The first 10 overs while batting is still very crucial for Bangladesh. Openers must rotate strikes and keep their wickets intact. 40/0 will be much better than 60/2 in 10 overs. Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan and Rahat Ali are quality new ball bowlers. They hardly offer free bees. Well set Tamim and even Soumya can cause huge damage. Pakistan does not have depth in bowling.
Even Saeed Ajmal after bowling action reconstruction looked ordinary. Bangladesh now possesses a long batting line of quality batsmen. If for any reason the innings gets bogged down Shabbir or Nasir can be always used as floater to create momentum. Quality batsmen Mahamudullah and Mushfique can now be relied upon. Shakib is always there with his versatility. This Bangladesh team can score 280-300 or chase it against this Pakistan attack if they only play to their potential playing good intelligent cricket. .
In the last match Junaid, Wahab Riaz and Rahat bowled in off stump line just short of length. Playing in indiscreet manner against bowler of their pace on any surface on this line can trigger disaster. We know Tamim was extra cautious last match being under pressure to perform. Today he must be focused early on and guide his junior partner. Saeed Ajmal is a great bowler. He will definitely amend his mistakes. Wahab Riaz and Ajmal must not be gifted early wicket .They must be made to toil for it . I would love to see young Shabbir and Shakib play their natural game today.
Mohammad Hafiz and Fawad Alam are two relatively experienced key batmen of Pakistan. Last match they could not do much. Bangladesh must have specific plan for them. Azhar Ali and Sarfraz are also good players. Early wicket will be the key. If Mashrafee feels ok he may use Shakib for a couple of overs early on to try and purchase Sarfraz wicket.Haris Sohail Saad Nasim and Rizwan looked to be well composed quality batsmen but they are relatively new . They may not withstand pressure.
Bangladesh is bowling well as a team. Three pacer and two front line spinner is a good combination. If one has an off day there are fall backs in Mahamudullah and Nasir. The fielding must be spot on.
It appears that everything are put in place for the Mashrafee squad now. But cricket is a funny game. ODI matches are like gamble. You win some and loose some .Team must come up with” A” game to win. Let us hope that Bangladesh can make the day a historic day. After all cricket unites the nation, brings joy for everyone. From thousands of miles away wish Bengal tigers all the best.
BDST: 0835 HRS, APR 19, 2015
BD/AKA
