BD likely to choose batting track to tame Amir

DHAKA: Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir showed what he is capable of against India and the UAE, and to tackle him, Bangladesh are pondering to choose more-brown-than-green track when the two teams clash on Wednesday (today) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

There are seven pitches on the large square at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. A couple of them are as green as the outfield, while a few are more sub-continental in colour.

The greener ones were used in the first few games, including Bangladesh’s fixture against India in the tournament opener. But in the last couple of matches, the pitches have been less green and run-scoring has become relatively easier.

There hasn’t been still a massive batting effort and bowlers have not fallen off the radar. Sabbir Rahman’s 80 against Sri Lanka and the unbeaten 114-run stand between Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal against the UAE suggested a bit of a change.

Bangladesh will be looking to deny Amir any additional advantage as a track suitable for bowlers could hurt their cause.

On a green top-wicket against India, he looked like taking a wicket on almost every ball.

With the return of Tamim Iqbal in the team, Bangladesh will hope that he hits his stride straightaway and helps them get off to a good start.

Tamim’s return should logically mean an axe for either Mohammad Mithun or Soumya Sarkar, who have struggled with the bat.

Arafat Sunny, the left-arm spinner, is the frontrunner to slot in for Mustafizur Rehman, who is out because of injury, if it is not a grassy pitch.

Pakistan have been up and down with the exception of Amir. A solid partnership between Umar and Shoaib guided Pakistan to their first victory in the tournament, boosting the morale of the players.

But even at their best, Pakistan will be wary of Bangladesh, a team on the rise after bossing various limited-over series at home last season.

In April 2015, Bangladesh won the three-match One-Day International series against Pakistan 3-0 and also the one-off Twenty20 International.

Only Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed and Wahab Riaz are part of the squad which played Bangladesh last time.

Hafeez, Sharjeel Khan and Khurram Manzoor have failed to make an impact, while Mohammad Nawaz, the young left-arm spinner, was unimpressive against the UAE.

Bangladesh, who are yet to make a name for themselves in the shortest format, are one strike away from sealing a place in the final.

 

Asia Cup Twenty20

Pakistan vs Bangladesh

06:30pm (PST)