ISLAMABAD: A confident Pakistan team is gearing up to take a commanding lead in the three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh when the second match is played in Lahore on Friday.
Following a strong victory in the series opener at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan aims to maintain momentum and secure an unassailable lead.
Pakistan’s Dominant Start and Team Strategy
Pakistan’s performance in T20 cricket over the past year has been disappointing, winning just nine out of 28 matches. Currently ranked eighth in the ICC T20 team rankings, the team under new captain Salman Ali Agha is determined to improve their record.
In the first game, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 37 runs, thanks to standout contributions from Salman (56 runs), Shadab Khan (48 runs and 4 wickets for 26 runs), and Hasan Nawaz (44 runs). Returning pacer Hasan Ali impressed with a career-best 5 wickets for 30 runs, marking a remarkable comeback after injury.
Pakistan is expected to stick with the same lineup for the second T20, while Bangladesh plans to make a couple of changes as they fight to stay in the series. Both teams opted to rest on Thursday instead of practicing ahead of the match.
Hasan Ali credited his strong return to the support of the medical team at the National Cricket Academy and praised the role of his family during his recovery. He also expressed his ambition to play in the next World Cup, provided he maintains good form.
Bangladesh’s Hope for a Comeback
Bangladesh’s bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed praised Pakistan’s excellent display but remained optimistic about his team’s chances. “We have the potential to make a strong comeback in this series,” he said. He singled out Salman Ali Agha’s elegant batting and highlighted the potential of both experienced player Shadab Khan and young bowler Rishad Hossain.
Mushtaq also explained Bangladesh’s strategy of testing different combinations by leaving out Najamul Hossain Shanto in the first match, with plans to rotate players to find the best balance.
Despite the competitive atmosphere, Mushtaq noted the good support from the crowd for both sides and mentioned ongoing talks between Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket boards to promote youth exchanges for cricket development.
