Kolkata: Their arrival itself was mired in drama and a mercurial Pakistan would look to bring the focus back on their cricket when they take on an enigmatic Bangladesh in what promises to be an engrossing World Twenty20 Super 10 Group 2 encounter here tomorrow.
Pakistan arrived later than planned in India owing to security concerns of their government and managed to trigger a furore barely a day after landing here.
The team’s captain Shahid Afridi is in the eye of a storm after stating that Pakistani players are loved more in India than their own country. Last known, he had been issued a legal notice for the comments, which have been called shameful by former captain Javed Miandad. Afrdi had sent a audio link to PCB on that night. On being asked about Afridi’s controversial comment Waqar Younis said that they should concentrate on the cricket.” I don’t think Afridi had made any controversial comment. We should concentrate on our cricket.”
Pakistan team has arrived for practice at 10 am. But Afridi was absent from the team. On being asked Pakistan manager Aza Akbar said,” Afridi has fever. He has been advised to take rest”. Later Pakistan Coach Waqar Younis said,” Afridi’s health is not well. So I told him to take rest at the hotel. Afridi will come back. Only he needs is a good innings .”
Bangladesh have been in excellent form for the past couple of years. Recently they defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup. On Bangladesh’s recent rise Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said,” we need to improve. In the recent past Bangladesh has improved a lot. We have to perform in this big tournament. I hope that we will perform better.”
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in a warm up match on Monday. Although Pakistan won the match their fielding was not up to the mark. Coach Waqar Younis gave emphasis on fielding at the importance. They had a rigorous practice session.
Mohammad Shami will not be available in the match as he is not fully fit.
Amid this off-field drama, the Pakistani players will take the field tomorrow, eyeing revenge for the humiliating loss to Bangladesh in the recent Asia Cup.
But Bangladesh would be no pushovers as they are riding high after making the final of the continental event, which was won by India eventually. Also, the team showed good form during the World T20 qualifiers to make the main draw with ease.
Bangladesh stormed into the Super 10s after beating Oman by 54 runs by D/L method in their last qualifying match in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Bangladesh will be playing only their second match at the Eden Gardens. In 1990 Bangladesh faced Sri Lanka in a Asia Cup match here at the Eden Gardens. Athar Ali Khan scored a fifty in that match. Eventually it was the first international fifty for Bangladesh. After 26 years the Bangladesh will again play at the iconic Eden Gardens. The players alongside with the supporters are very excited.
Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed who were reported for suspect bowling action have undergone tests. They will join the team on Tuesday. According to ICC rules, Until ICC is sending a report the suspected players can play. Bangladesh is trying to get Mustafizur Rehman fit before the fit. He bowled with full rhythm at the nets.
With that win, Bangladesh joined India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Australia in a pool billed as ‘Group of Death’.
Their ace all rounder Shakib Al Hasan also put up a sizzling show on his way to picking a career-best four for 25 with his tidy left-arm spin in the do-or-die game and contributed with a cameo of 17 from nine balls. Having known the conditions here like the back of his hand, the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner would lead the attack, while Bangladesh would hope that their left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman recovers from his side strain, which had ruled him out of the Asia Cup.
“We have to depend a lot on Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib has played here for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.”
Masrafe sounds confident before the Pakistan match. “We have improved a lot in the ODIs in the past couple of years. Now we want to perform well in T20s. We will play fearlessly.” He said
He further added,” We are not minnows. We are a growing up cricket country.”
“If the Bengali supporters will support us it will be a added advantage”
With scores of 103 not out, 47 and 83 not out in the qualifiers, Tamim has been in devastating form and Bangladesh would hope that his opening partner Soumya Sarkar also join him in the act to give the team a good start tomorrow.