All eyes on hosts as World T20 explodes into action

Hosts take on Afghanistan in first match of the qualifying round.

The crash, bang and wallop format is all that cricket fans are going to talk about over the course of the next 20 days as the fifth edition of the World Twenty20 commences Sunday in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Bangladesh need to ensure that they beat Afghanistan in their potentially do-or-die encounter that is likely to determine one of the two qualifiers for the main round.

Afghanistan are supremely confident after defeating the hosts in the Asia Cup earlier this month. Under coach Kabir Khan, they are eying the scalp of their rivals once again.

The batting would rely on captain Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, and Samiullah Shenwari while opening bowlers Shappoor Zadran and Dawlat Zadran would play a pivotal role with the ball.

Meanwhile, the hosts would be bolstered by the return of opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, fast-bowler Mashrafe Mortaza and all-rounder Sohag Gazi. Iqbal missed the Asia Cup due to a neck strain while Mashrafe was half-fit in the tournament. Meanwhile, Gazi’s finger injury has healed and he is expected to play the match Sunday.

Shakib Al Hasan will have a major say on the game too, particularly having claimed the number four spot in the ICC World Twenty20 rankings for all-rounders.

Bangladesh also have the option of playing their in-form opener Anamul Haque who can partner Iqbal.

Happy to play first match against India: Hafeez

Far from being daunted by the prospect of facing India in their World Twenty20 opener on Friday, Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez is rather happy his team will kick off their campaign against the arch-rivals.

The bitter South Asian rivals have fought three wars and there has been tremendous pressure on the cricketers whenever they met each other.

Hafeez, however, was determined not to get swayed by the emotion that would surround the match at Mirpur’s Shere Bangla National Stadium.

“India-Pakistan game is always full of pressure,” the 33-year-old told reporters on Saturday. “We as a team are very happy. I’m happy that our first match is such that if we do well in it, subsequent matches would seem easier, as far as pressure is concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2014.

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