Round two: Pride and history at stake for Pakistan and Bangladesh

A win on Sunday would mean hosts claim their first-ever series win over the men in green


Nabeel Hashmi April 18, 2015
Centuries from Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim powered the hosts to their highest ODI total of 329 as Pakistan’s bowling struggled, especially that of Saeed Ajmal’s as he looked a shadow of his former self in his first outing in eight months. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: After a comfortable 79-run win — their first in 16 years over Pakistan — Bangladesh have certainly sent a message to their visitors, who will be looking to make it 1-1 and take the series to a decider when the two sides meet again in the second ODI of the three-match series on Sunday.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to win their first ever series against Pakistan.

Centuries from Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim powered the hosts to their highest ODI total of 329 as Pakistan’s bowling struggled, especially that of Saeed Ajmal’s as he looked a shadow of his former self in his first outing in eight months.

The magic was sorely missing from Ajmal’s armoury and his remodelled side-on action looked more like that of a part-timer than of the finest spinner of his generation.

Ajmal’s reputation went before him as Bangladesh’s batsmen played out his initial overs with respect but plundered him for runs once they realised he is not the same bowler that had befuddled some of the best in the business.

Former Test cricketer Basit Ali feels that Ajmal needs a lot of time before he can regain his magic touch and that will remain a concern for Pakistan.

“Ajmal doesn’t look like the bowler he used to be; someone who was number one in the bowlers’ ranking and a match-winner,” Basit said while talking to The Express Tribune. “He’ll need a lot of time before regaining his class. He will only get better by playing matches.”

Basit is the force behind the emergence of Muhammad Rizwan, who impressed with a counter-attacking half-century on his debut, as he preferred him over Umar Akmal in several first-class matches.

The move not only helped his side SNGPL but, on the evidence of his first international outing, helped uncover a long-term middle-order prospect for Pakistan.

“Rizwan is a busy customer, someone who is always looking for runs and it’s his positivity which will help Pakistan,” said the former Test batsman. “However, I feel Pakistan must play Asad Shafiq in place of Saad Nasim in order to strengthen the team.”

Basit felt that the side does not need Nasim as an all-rounder as they are well-stocked in the fifth bowler’s compartment. “We’ve got plenty of bowling options in Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam so we don’t need Saad,” he added. “Instead Shafiq is the right choice and he should have played in the first match as well.”

He also urged the fast-bowlers to utilise the new ball by bowling full instead of short as wickets are the only way Pakistan can restrict the talented Bangladesh batting to a small score.

 

Gul replaces Adil for rest of ODI series     

Pakistan have suffered another injury setback as medium-pacer Ehsan Adil has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Umar Gul for the remaining two ODIs.

After taking an impoverished side to the World Cup, Pakistan’s injury woes continue as they have lost Muhammad Irfan, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah and now Adil through injury.

 

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