Pakistan to start World T20 campaign against Bangladesh today
Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in their opening World T20 match in Kolkota today.
KOLKATA (Dunya News) - Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 Group 2 fixture at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata today (Wednesday). The match will start at 2:30am PST.
Bangladesh qualified for the Super 10 Stage of the World T20 by beating the Netherlands and Oman in their group match while their game against Ireland in Dharamsala was rained out.
Before coming to India for the World T20, Bangladesh also had a brilliant run in the Asia Cup in front of their home crowd. Bangladesh registered wins against two Asian giants, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, but were beaten by India in the final.
Despite their recent improvements in 50-over cricket, Bangladesh have a rotten record in the World T20 and have never beaten Pakistan in the premier tournament of cricket’s shortest format.
But Shahid Afridi said Pakistan had a good record at Eden Gardens, including a convincing victory over India in an ODI in January 2013.
"We have very good memories over here and we are pretty much confident," he told reporters in Kolkata.
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis preferred to remain cautious in the face of a strong Bangladesh challenge but was also quick to add that, irrespective of what the pitch offers, Pakistan will play to their strengths.
"When you re playing good cricket, conditions don t really matter that much. I think Bangladesh are playing really good cricket, so we have to be watchful and come out really strong to beat them," he pointed out.
TEAMS:
Pakistan (from): Shahid Afridi (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Imad Wasim, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Sami, Sarfraz Ahmed, Sharjeel Khan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz.
Bangladesh (from): Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Abu Hider, Al-Amin Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.
