Bangladesh vs http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 – 1st ODI Asia Cup – Match Preview
The start of the highly anticipated Asia Cup pits hosts Bangladesh against Pakistan, with both teams looking to begin on a winning note at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, tomorrow, March 11, 2012.
On paper, the Men in Green remain a much better unit considering the talent at their disposal, especially in the bowling department. However, the Bengali Tigers always bring a few surprises to the game and will be looking to make use of their home advantage and muster out their opponents in the opening bout.
It has been going tough for both sides on the International front, where Pakistan suffered embarrassing losses at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 in the recently concluded series at UAE. After outplaying the Poms in the first month of 2012, it was the unpredictable nature of the Men in Green’s cricket which came to surface – where they were muscled out 4-0 in the 50-over format before bowing out 2-1 in the T20Is.
Much has changed since then, with the most high-profile causality being that of interim coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Davenell-Frederick-Whatmore-c52571. The Sri – Lankan born Australian has been appointed to ensure stability in the national team while his experience in dealing with the sub-continent culture is expected to hold him in good stead.
Whatmore’s foremost responsibility will lie in guiding his team to heights similar to his stint he with, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758. Also, with the bowling lineup expected to choose itself, his main task will be to work on the batting frailties of the team.
Opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 Premier League allowed him to get a reckoning.
The all-rounder slot, which was the point of much debate recently, has seen the selectors showing the boot to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Abdul-Razzaq-c41623 got overlooked.
The key player for the team will undoubtedly be http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859 is expected to share much of the work load in the days to come.
As for the hosts, their preparations have been marked with controversies with opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 resigned from his post after claiming that the board was interfering too much in selection.
Tamim, on the other hand, was excluded from the squad in contentious circumstances before being included again after passing a fitness test. It remains to be seen under what frame of mind will the team play, but they can take heart from the fact that most players will be fresh from their involvement in their first ever domestic T20 league.
Their performances at the international front have been pretty mediocre in recent times, including a series sweep against their upcoming opponents late last year.However, with one of most inform all-rounders in the shape of Shakib-Al- http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hasan-c61990 in their ranks, the side is pretty much capable of staging an upset.
The pitch is expected to assist the batters, but spinners tend to play a decisive role so one anticipates a hard-fought encounter.
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