Tigers eye winning spree

Pakistan to rely on bowlers

Bangladesh are expected to make giant stride towards the Asia Cup final as they take on Pakistan in a crucial game today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Even though there is enormous equation involved in determining which two teams will move into the final, a victory would put Bangladesh in a favourable position.
The match starts at 7.30 pm and broadcasts live by several television channels around the world-- Star Sports (India), Geo Super, PTV Sports (Pakistan), MTV Sports (Sri Lanka), Channel 9 (Bangladesh), Willow TV (USA), SuperSport (South Africa).
Pakistan however will be in knife-edge of being ruled out in case of a defeat. So it’s a ‘do or die’ match for them.
Bangladesh’s morale will be high on the big occasion as they won the last T20 between the two teams. In fact, last time when the two teams met, Bangladesh won all of the matches in limited over cricket. The hosts also come off with a huge victory over Sri Lanka, their first ever victory in T20 format against the Asian giants. After the crushing defeat against India in the first match, Bangladesh indeed regrouped well to show how tough mentality they possess at the moment.
“Our focus is on continuing the winning-spree,” said Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. “We could have won against India but we suddenly lost the momentum. However then we played good cricket to beat UAE and Sri Lanka. The main thing is that we could keep us calm amid the pressurized situation. Angelo Mathews won the game for Sri Lankan from tough situation many times, so he can win the match against Bangladesh too but we never let the momentum go away. That’s the key and we have to keep it up.”
But Mashrafe doesn’t think the last year’s win against Pakistan would help them.
“It’s now past. It’s a new game. What we know that if we win the match, we’ll stand on a chance to play in the final. So we are serious about that. They will pose serious threat definitely. They have players like Amir who can take wickets in any phase of the game. But we’ll try to keep our process right. If we can do that, we have a chance to beat them again.”
Bangladesh are bound to break the winning combination after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out with a side strain. Tamim Iqbal replaced him in the team and is certain to play his first match in the tournament.
Coach Chandika Hathurusingha indicated that they won’t go with four pacers and in that case, apart from Tamim, no one will get any opportunity to play. But there is talk about the inclusion of pacer Abu Haider Rony.
“We haven’t decided, probably not discuss in this forum. But we are keeping our options open depending upon conditions and our tactical game plan. According to that we will select the team,” Hathurusingha said.
Pakistan’s batting though looked shaky on paper, they are an unpredictable team. They have bounced back from the defeat against India with a crushing seven-wicket win over UAE. Their top order though collapsed against UAE, Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal put a record partnership to bail the side out of danger.
Pakistan however will rely on their bowlers to tame highly confident Bangladesh in the game.
“Pakistan bowling is always strength for us.  We’ll obviously play to our strength. The guys are working hard on their batting and skills too,” Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood said.

Tigers eye winning spree

Pakistan to rely on bowlers

Bangladesh are expected to make giant stride towards the Asia Cup final as they take on Pakistan in a crucial game today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Even though there is enormous equation involved in determining which two teams will move into the final, a victory would put Bangladesh in a favourable position. The match starts at 7.30 pm and broadcasts live by several television channels around the world-- Star Sports (India), Geo Super, PTV Sports (Pakistan), MTV Sports (Sri Lanka), Channel 9 (Bangladesh), Willow TV (USA), SuperSport (South Africa). Pakistan however will be in knife-edge of being ruled out in case of a defeat. So its a do or die match for them. Bangladeshs morale will be high on the big occasion as they won the last T20 between the two teams. In fact, last time when the two teams met, Bangladesh won all of the matches in limited over cricket. The hosts also come off with a huge victory over Sri Lanka, their first ever victory in T20 format against the Asian giants. After the crushing defeat against India in the first match, Bangladesh indeed regrouped well to show how tough mentality they possess at the moment. Our focus is on continuing the winning-spree, said Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. We could have won against India but we suddenly lost the momentum. However then we played good cricket to beat UAE and Sri Lanka. The main thing is that we could keep us calm amid the pressurized situation. Angelo Mathews won the game for Sri Lankan from tough situation many times, so he can win the match against Bangladesh too but we never let the momentum go away. Thats the key and we have to keep it up. But Mashrafe doesnt think the last years win against Pakistan would help them. Its now past. Its a new game. What we know that if we win the match, well stand on a chance to play in the final. So we are serious about that. They will pose serious threat definitely. They have players like Amir who can take wickets in any phase of the game. But well try to keep our process right. If we can do that, we have a chance to beat them again. Bangladesh are bound to break the winning combination after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out with a side strain. Tamim Iqbal replaced him in the team and is certain to play his first match in the tournament. Coach Chandika Hathurusingha indicated that they wont go with four pacers and in that case, apart from Tamim, no one will get any opportunity to play. But there is talk about the inclusion of pacer Abu Haider Rony. We havent decided, probably not discuss in this forum. But we are keeping our options open depending upon conditions and our tactical game plan. According to that we will select the team, Hathurusingha said. Pakistans batting though looked shaky on paper, they are an unpredictable team. They have bounced back from the defeat against India with a crushing seven-wicket win over UAE. Their top order though collapsed against UAE, Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal put a record partnership to bail the side out of danger. Pakistan however will rely on their bowlers to tame highly confident Bangladesh in the game. Pakistan bowling is always strength for us. Well obviously play to our strength. The guys are working hard on their batting and skills too, Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood said.