Publish : 19 Nov 2021, 12:44 PMUpdate : 27 Dec 2021, 02:10 PM
New-look Bangladesh will face a stiff challenge against high-flying Pakistan when they lock horns in the first T20 international in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Friday afternoon.
A major shakeup in the recently announced T20 squad of the hosts saw six changes from the T20 World Cup squad where Bangladesh showcased a dismal run of form in the Super 12 stage amid high hopes.
The start and the end were horrible for the Tigers as they began the T20 World Cup campaign losing two practice matches and most shockingly, lost to Scotland in the first match of the qualifiers.
A nervy win against Oman and then strong performance against Papua New Guinea saw the Tigers qualify for the Super 12, and restore some confidence.
But losing two close matches in the first phase of the Super 12 hurt them badly and eventually they finished the tournament in a shambolic manner after being bowled out for just 84 against South Africa and 73 against Australia.
It was predicted that a few changes were looming and some big names will be dropped in the following T20I series after a disastrous T20 World Cup campaign.
Bangladesh management made six changes from the T20 World Cup squad where four players were dropped and two were out injured.
From the top-order, Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar got the axe and surprisingly Mushfiqur Rahim also faced the boot.
Although, selectors informed that Mushfiq was “rested’ ahead of the coming Test matches, two against Pakistan at home and two against New Zealand away.
But in a recent interview to media, Mushfiq said he was available for the T20I series against Pakistan and selectors did not inform him directly that he will be rested considering the upcoming Test matches.
Nevertheless, this is a new look Bangladesh in the 20-over format.
There will surely be change in the top-order.
As both Liton and Soumya were dropped, young right-hander Saif Hasan is in the front seat to make his debut in T20I cricket and open the innings with Mohammad Naim.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto will bat at No 3 in the absence of Shakib al Hasan.
And in the middle-order, experienced Mushfiq’s absence will create added responsibility for skipper Mahmudullah, who will likely bat at No 4.
Yasir Ali Chowdhury may get a chance and in that case he will be given a huge responsibility to fill the shoes of Mushfiq.
All eyes will be on Afif Hossain, who had a poor T20 World Cup scoring 54 runs off 50 deliveries from eight innings, and Shamim Hossain as well to step up and take some responsibility in the middle-order.
There will be a change in the bowling attack also as neither Shakib nor seamer-allrounder Saifuddin are available in the T20I series due to injury.
Now the question is, can Bangladesh turn around after a disastrous T20 World Cup?
Particularly against high-flying Pakistan who have been playing this format exceptionally well in recent years and are one of the best T20I teams in the last decade?
Can the Tigers bowlers handle world-class batters like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan?
Will Bangladesh’s new look and inexperienced batting line-up be able to handle the fearsome opening spells from the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf?
Just before the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh managed to win against Australia and New Zealand in slow and low pitches in Mirpur.
But even if those kind of wickets are come to be seen again, beating Pakistan will be much more difficult and challenging because as a sub-continent team, Pakistan batsmen are familiar with these sort of wickets.
To win a match against Pakistan, the Tigers players need self-belief first.
They are a very young side but need to play cricket with freedom and a fearless approach.
Surely cricket is a battle of bat and ball, but it is also a battle of mind games and handling psychological pressure.
The 2021 T20 World Cup is history now.
There is nothing beneficial to just think and worry about the last T20 World Cup.
It is gone.
Now it’s time for a fresh start with fresh blood eyeing the next T20 World Cup edition in 2022 in Australia.
The most important thing for Bangladesh to achieve from this home series will be to gain some momentum and rejuvenate the whole team from the T20 World Cup trauma.
And to achieve that, the young guns need to step up and play fearless cricket even if the opponent are a top-rated team like Pakistan.
New-look Tigers face stiff challenge in rising from ashes
New-look Bangladesh will face a stiff challenge against high-flying Pakistan when they lock horns in the first T20 international in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Friday afternoon.
A major shakeup in the recently announced T20 squad of the hosts saw six changes from the T20 World Cup squad where Bangladesh showcased a dismal run of form in the Super 12 stage amid high hopes.
The start and the end were horrible for the Tigers as they began the T20 World Cup campaign losing two practice matches and most shockingly, lost to Scotland in the first match of the qualifiers.
A nervy win against Oman and then strong performance against Papua New Guinea saw the Tigers qualify for the Super 12, and restore some confidence.
But losing two close matches in the first phase of the Super 12 hurt them badly and eventually they finished the tournament in a shambolic manner after being bowled out for just 84 against South Africa and 73 against Australia.
It was predicted that a few changes were looming and some big names will be dropped in the following T20I series after a disastrous T20 World Cup campaign.
Bangladesh management made six changes from the T20 World Cup squad where four players were dropped and two were out injured.
From the top-order, Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar got the axe and surprisingly Mushfiqur Rahim also faced the boot.
Although, selectors informed that Mushfiq was “rested’ ahead of the coming Test matches, two against Pakistan at home and two against New Zealand away.
But in a recent interview to media, Mushfiq said he was available for the T20I series against Pakistan and selectors did not inform him directly that he will be rested considering the upcoming Test matches.
Nevertheless, this is a new look Bangladesh in the 20-over format.
There will surely be change in the top-order.
As both Liton and Soumya were dropped, young right-hander Saif Hasan is in the front seat to make his debut in T20I cricket and open the innings with Mohammad Naim.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto will bat at No 3 in the absence of Shakib al Hasan.
And in the middle-order, experienced Mushfiq’s absence will create added responsibility for skipper Mahmudullah, who will likely bat at No 4.
Yasir Ali Chowdhury may get a chance and in that case he will be given a huge responsibility to fill the shoes of Mushfiq.
All eyes will be on Afif Hossain, who had a poor T20 World Cup scoring 54 runs off 50 deliveries from eight innings, and Shamim Hossain as well to step up and take some responsibility in the middle-order.
There will be a change in the bowling attack also as neither Shakib nor seamer-allrounder Saifuddin are available in the T20I series due to injury.
Now the question is, can Bangladesh turn around after a disastrous T20 World Cup?
Particularly against high-flying Pakistan who have been playing this format exceptionally well in recent years and are one of the best T20I teams in the last decade?
Can the Tigers bowlers handle world-class batters like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan?
Will Bangladesh’s new look and inexperienced batting line-up be able to handle the fearsome opening spells from the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf?
Just before the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh managed to win against Australia and New Zealand in slow and low pitches in Mirpur.
But even if those kind of wickets are come to be seen again, beating Pakistan will be much more difficult and challenging because as a sub-continent team, Pakistan batsmen are familiar with these sort of wickets.
To win a match against Pakistan, the Tigers players need self-belief first.
They are a very young side but need to play cricket with freedom and a fearless approach.
Surely cricket is a battle of bat and ball, but it is also a battle of mind games and handling psychological pressure.
The 2021 T20 World Cup is history now.
There is nothing beneficial to just think and worry about the last T20 World Cup.
It is gone.
Now it’s time for a fresh start with fresh blood eyeing the next T20 World Cup edition in 2022 in Australia.
The most important thing for Bangladesh to achieve from this home series will be to gain some momentum and rejuvenate the whole team from the T20 World Cup trauma.
And to achieve that, the young guns need to step up and play fearless cricket even if the opponent are a top-rated team like Pakistan.
Topics: