Bangladesh meet Pakistan to set up date with India

Overview

**Bangladesh v Pakistan**Asia Cup 2018, Super Four, Match 6
Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Wednesday, 26 September, 3.30 PM local time, 11.30 AM GMT

The two teams have had very similar results in the Super Fours: Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have lost comprehensively to India while beating Afghanistan in last-over finishes. That puts them on a somewhat even keel, and they know that nothing else matters now but the result of their game – whoever win get into the title clash.

As far as recent form is concerned, Bangladesh have the winning momentum on their side, having beaten the Afghans in their last game. Imrul Kayes and Mahmudullah did the job with the bat then, and Mustafizur Rahman starred with the ball.

Kayes, who was brought in only in the second half of the tournament as Bangladesh looked for replacements for the injured Tamim Iqbal, impressed in his first outing, hitting an unbeaten 72 batting at No.6, while Mahmudullah scored a crucial 74 at No.7 and, together, they lifted their team from 87/5.

That the lower middle-order had to come to the team's rescue was because the top order, like in most of this tournament, failed to give Bangladesh a good start. Bangladesh were two down in the first six overs and then lost three quick wickets between overs 18 to 21 before Kayes and Mahmudullah took charge.

A good start has been imperative for every team, especially on surfaces that have slowed down with time and have made batting increasingly difficult for new batsmen. That's what has made India the best team on view so far. That's what Bangladesh will look to do in this crunch clash, and a lot will depend on the experienced shoulders of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan should the openers fail again.

Pakistan, meanwhile, have their own issues to sort. A sub-par fielding performance in their last outing ensured that India reached the target of 238 earlier than expected and with nine wickets hand.

The start has been a problem for them too, as Fakhar Zaman, one of the lynchpins of this batting line-up, has struggled to get going and has managed scores of 24, 0, 0, and 31 in the tournament so far.

Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, and Sarfraz Ahmed have blown hot and cold. Haq has two half-centuries, Azam has one, and Ahmed enjoyed some batting time in the middle in his last outing, against India, with his patient 44.

It's only Shoaib Malik, who has risen to the occasion and has contributed heavily to the team's cause with 9*, 43, 51* and 78. Pakistan will bank big on their most experienced cricketer.

The bowling also has not looked at its best since their first group-stage match against Hong Kong. Mohammad Amir hasn't picked up a wicket in the tournament yet while Usman Shinwari and Hasan Ali have been expensive in phases.

Shaheen Afridi has impressed in the two ODIs that he has played, and Shadab Khan, Pakistan's ace spinner, was benched for a match because he failed a fitness test. The bowlers will have to strike against a potent Bangladesh middle order.

Key players

Mahmudullah (Bangladesh): The all-rounder looked to have regained form with the bat and ball – he returned 1/17 from five overs after scoring the half-century – against Afghanistan and with the top order not scoring many runs, the responsibility of balancing out for them and finishing the innings will rest on his shoulders.

Shoaib Malik (Pakistan): The only Pakistan batsman who has been untroubled by any bowling attack, Malik, Malik will be the key to his team's success and will look to build on his good form with the bat as well as his ability to absorb pressure and bail the team out of precarious positions.

Conditions

Like Dubai, the pitch at Abu Dhabi too has slowed down with time and, as a result, batting will not be easy. Spin is likely to play a big role with the ball gripping and turning and the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz may have to come into the game sooner rather than later.

Squads

Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Imam ul Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Usman Shinwari, Shaheen Afridi