Pakistan v. Bangladesh - ODI Series

[NickiSlater]

Who's gonna win?

[Donny]

Bangladesh renew battle to prove themselves
Wisden CricInfo staff - September 8, 2003

Bangladesh put up a magnificent account of themselves in the Test series, but are likely to find the going tougher in the one-day series. Much of their resistance in the Tests was attritional: batsmen seeing off sessions, bowlers – especially Mohammad Rafique – sticking to their task with discipline. Their stern defence was at the heart of their struggle there, but what they will need now is aggression and the instinct to attack. That could be a problem.

Javed Omar and Rajin Saleh would, thus, both be much less effective in the one-dayers, and Habibul Bashar's importance will be amplified. Mohammad Ashraful is a combative hustler, but he can sometimes go overboard. Bangladesh failed abjectly in the 2003 World Cup because they all tried to attack from the start of their innings and they threw it away. Their aggression must not be wanton if they are to stretch Pakistan in this series.

Dav Whatmore has done an outstanding job of motivating his team, and if they continue to play with the same intensity, they could yet be a handful. Pakistan, meanwhile, is not quite full-strength. They have been a transitional team for a long time – most spectacularly showed up in their `home' series against Australia last year – and young blood can work both ways. The youngsters in the team could be hungry to prove themselves; or they could be impetuous and impatient. Bangladesh's victory will depend as much on Pakistan as on themselves.

Abdul Razzaq is back for Pakistan, as is Yousuf Youhana, but Younis Khan has, oddly, been relegated to the reserves. Kamran Akmal replaces the banned Rashid Latif, while the youngsters who impressed in the Test series – Yasir Hamid, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Gul and Shabbir Ahmed – have all been included. One curious inclusion, though, is Junaid Zia, a fast bowler who was once accused of chucking and underwent corrective action. He is also the son of Taufeeq Zia, the PCB chief, and his selection – especially as it is against a relatively weak opponent – has raised a few eyebrows in Pakistan.

Bangladesh's bowlers, meanwhile, will feel less inadequate in the one-day series. They have rarely looked like picking up 20 wickets in a Test match, but restrictive bowling in a one-day match is within the bounds of possibility. Khaled Mahmud, whose Test career – barring the last couple of games – has been indistinguished, is actually a decent one-day player. He was Man of the Match in Bangladesh's famous victory over Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup, and he will have more than that to inspire him in the coming games. Bangladesh are fighting for respectability – the hunger is palpable – and their time must surely come.

Probable teams
Pakistan 1 Imran Nazir, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Yasir Hameed, 4 Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Yousuf Youhana, 6 Abdul Razzaq, 7 Shoaib Malik, 8 Kamran Akmal (wk), 9 Shabbir Ahmed, 10 Umar Gul, 11 Junaid Zia.

Bangladesh 1 Hannan Sarkar, 2 Javed Omar, 3 Habibul Bashar, 4 Mohammad Ashraful, 5 Rajin Saleh, 6 Alok Kapali, 7 Khaled Mashud (wk), 8 Khaled Mahmud (capt), 9 Mohammad Rafique, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza, 11 Tapash Baisya.

[Donny]

Inzamam handed captain's armband
Wisden Cricinfo staff - September 8, 2003

Inzamam-ul-Haq's remarkable return to favour was capped by the announcement that he will lead Pakistan in the absence of the suspended Rashid Latif in the five-match ODI series against Bangladesh, which starts on Wednesday (September 11).

Less than a month ago Inzamam was in the international wilderness, and although he was recalled to bolster Pakistan's middle order in the first Test against Bangladesh, he made a duck in the first innings and only mustered another 88 runs in his next three outings against one of international cricket's weakest attacks. But his matchwinning unbeaten 138 in the one-wicket victory at Multan showed that he still has what it takes, and he has been rewarded with the captain's armband.

Inzamam will be eager to put memories of his dismal World Cup behind him - he scored 19 runs in six inningsas pakistan crashed out in the first round - and he promised that his side would beaiming for a series whitewash. "We want to win and dedicate it to Rashid," he said. "We are fielding a young side, but a talented one and I am confident we can beat Bangladesh 5-0."

Kamran Akmal replaces Latif behind the stumps, but one name which raised some eyebrows was that of 19-year-old medium-fast bowler Junaid Zia, the son of Lt-Gen. Tauqir Zia, the Pakistan Cricket Board's chairman. Critics claimed that his selection owed more to a desire to appease the chairman, who was reportedly far from happy with Pakistan's performances in the Test series.

Pakistan squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, Yousuf Youhana, Yasir Hameed, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Junaid Zia, Umar Gul, Shabbir Ahmed.

[Donny]

Pakistan won the toss and will bat in the first ODI between Pakistan and bangladesh.

Hafeez and Hameed are the openers. Mortaza started the series off on a good note, bowling a maiden.

[Donny]

After 7 overs, Pakistan is 0/45 with Hafeez on 21 (5 fours) and Hameed, 15.

[Donny]

Pakistan is setting up a good platform for a big total with 1/111 at the 21 overs mark.

Hameed is 44 and Youhana, 27.

[Donny]

Hameed goes to his century as Pakistan roll on to 2/195 in the 38th' over. Youhana was run out for 49.

[Donny]

Hameed out for 116. Pakistan are 3/252 with 5 overs to go.

[Donny]

Pakistan hit 62 from last 4 overs. 3/323 total

Inzi 56 from 48. Younis Khan 59 from 31. A partnership of 112 in 11 overs.

[Donny]

A wicket in the the first over to Gul certainly didn't help the Bangladeshi's cause and it hasn't improved as they are now 6/81.

Razzaq has 3/18.

[Donny]

Bangladesh were never in the hunt after their start but didn't capitulate. They made 186, with Rahman hitting 36 n.o.

Hafeez took 3/17 and Razzaq, 3/32.

[HAL]

What else do they do?

[Donny]

Pakistan won the toss and batted in the second ODI.

Rahman dismissed both openers - Hafeez for 26 and Hameed for 15.

Youhana (18 n.o.) and Inzamam (15 n.o.) have taken the score to 2/78 after 21 overs.

[Donny]

Bangladesh have taken important wickets and have Pakistan at 6/182 after 40 overs.

Youhana is 75 n.o. and Inzi went for 41.

Rafique and Saleh have both taken two wickets.

[HAL]

Between you and me, I think there are too many lawyers out there.