May 31, 1999 was one of the most historic moments in
Bangladesh cricket’s history. They were playing their first ever World Cup and
stunned the hot-favourites Pakistan in a dominating manner. That win changed
the complexion of Bangladesh cricket. The following year they were awarded the
Test status and a new journey started. Even though they haven’t been that good
in Test Cricket, they have often competed well in the one day arena.
They have scripted victories more than once against teams
like India, Sri Lanka, England, West Indies and New Zealand in ODIs, but
against Pakistan, their performance remains dismal. So far, Bangladesh and
Pakistan have met each other 32 times in ODIs and since that epic win at
Northampton sixteen years ago, the Tigers have not yet beaten Pakistan.
But the last 3 matches, all in the Asia Cup, clashes against
Bangladesh were not a mere formality anymore for Pakistan as the Tigers fought
hard till the end and made them sweat. Pakistan prevailed in those thrilling
encounters, but Bangladesh earned enough accolades for their fighting spirit.
They are yet to break the jinx against their Asian
neighbours and on April 17, 2015 the Tigers will have another opportunity to
break that.
Best time to break the jinx
Bangladesh will play a three-match one-day series against
Pakistan from Friday and considering the current situation, the Bangladesh team
is in a better state than Pakistan. It has the perfect blend of youthful talent
and experience. Over the years, this team has gelled very well under the coach
Chandika Hathurusinghe. The success in the World Cup has rekindled the lost
self-belief among the boys and they have all the ingredients to start as the
favourites in the upcoming ODI series.
Bangladesh’s top and middle-order batsmen are in good form
and in the course of time they have developed the ideal temperament to face the
best of bowling attacks. It is expected that the current batting line up will
be able to handle the likes of Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal and co with
authority. Meanwhile, pace bowlers like Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain have the
skill and pace to test the very best in the business while the guile of Shakib
Al Hasan and Arafat Sunny will give the bowling attack the much needed venom.
Whereas, Pakistan have arrived in Dhaka without the
experienced players like Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and young
batting sensation Shoaib Maqsood. The team will be led by the new captain Azhar
Ali, who was not even in the World Cup squad. So far, he has played only 14
ODIs and his last ODI was in 2013. As
usual, Pakistan’s bowling attack is highly potent, but the batting order lacks
experience and it will depend heavily on the expertise of Mohammad Hafeez. This
young batting line-up will be tested by the Bangladeshi bowlers who are
brimming with confidence at present.
Overall, the Bangladesh team is a very balanced one. For the
first time in their history, they will start a one-day series against a top
side as the favourites. This is their best chance to break the jinx against
Pakistan. The time has come for scripting
victories rather than losing close encounters.
Note: This article has been published on Sportskeeda in
16/04/2015 Best chance for Bangladesh to break the jinx against Pakistan
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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