DHAKA: Bangladesh will play against Pakistan in the only T20 match of the series today (Friday) in Dhaka. The Bangladeshis are still celebrating the emphatic ODI series white wash that they have achieved only days earlier. T20 is a much different kettle of fish like instant coffee. It needs only a player or an over to change the complexion of the game. Pakistan is much different and very strong opponent in T20 format.

The team led by one of the most explosive cricketer world cricket has ever seen “boom boom Afridi” will definitely be a hard nut to crack. Bangladesh has never won a T20 match against Pakistan in bilateral contest or international tournament. But that cannot be any measure of success in instant cricket. It is a different day, different occasion and a transformed Bangladesh appearing in a new contest. It will be different and it has to be different. Off course given the nature of the game pendulum can swing either way.

Bangladesh has made two changes in the team. Rubel Hossain has been given rest for much important assignment in test series. He has been replaced by teenager left arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman for his reported better exploits in T20 format. Mominul Haque who we thought is ideal player for test matches should not have been included in any other format is replaced. Litton Kumar Das for his prolific performance in local cricket gets a nod. Otherwise the team that performed wonderfully well in the just concluded ODI series remains in tact.

As has been told at the start T20 is a pure gamble. You do not need all your tramp cards to be used all the time. One player can change the show – a little cameo by Shakib, another magic by Tamim/Mushfiqur/Soumya/Sabbir can alter cases. Who knows Sabbir or Nasir may take a wonderful catch or make an important run out by direct throw which can trigger a turn around. Everything is possible in T20.

This Bangladesh team has enormous energy; they now have magnetic feet, hearts of tigers. Anything is possible for Mashrafe “Can Do Squad”.

Shakib is the key to success in T20 for Bangladesh for his extensive international experience in T20. Mashrafe, Taskin will have to bowl in a T20 line and length and we hope they are tuned accordingly. Bangladesh may need to reshuffle the batting order and must have plan B and C to adjust to circumstances. Sabbir and Nasir can bat higher if situation demands. Litton may replace Mahmudullah if required.

Pakistan in T20 is obviously a different team. Ahmed Shehzad will be back to open the innings with Hafiz “the professor” had miserable ODI series. How dearly he would love to put it past behind him! Haris Sohail and two debutants Saad Nasim had limited success in the ODI series. Sarfraz may be different in T20 who knows. Mukthar Ahmed is known to be a T20 expert as well.

The refreshing for Pakistan is that the team will be charged with the presence of one man army Afridi. But still it is a general feeling that the team does not have the explosive power that was recently seen in Pakistan batting. The bowling will be their main strength with Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz making a lethal combination. Afridi, Ajaml and Hafiz will take charge of the spin department. It is not that Bangladesh batsmen did not play well against these bowlers or bowlers of equal or better quality in the recent past. But it is expected to be a better contest this time.

There is hardly any time to waste in T20. Batsmen have to start playing strokes right from the word go, take sharp singles, convert singles into twos. But there is no point going wild and losing wickets in hips early on. I would recommend resting Mahmudullah and playing baptizing Litton instead. Bangladesh may consider promoting Shakib to bat at number three if the game situation demands. Mushfiqur at number four will be there to give stability and dynamism. Confident Bangladesh will definitely remain alert and vigilant. A T20 first time win against Pakistan will give added boost to the team before Test Series.

My suggested team for T20 would be

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abul Hasan/Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.

I could not decide whom to pick between Abul Hasan and Mustafiz. A left arm pacer may be useful addition. But will selectors risk blooding two rookies in the same match or will they stick with Abul Hasan for his all-round ability? In any case let us look forward for another epic contest on Friday afternoon.

BDST: 0700 HRS, APR 24, 2015
SR