Bangladesh-A is taking on a mighty Pakistan squad for a three-day match in
BKSP starting from January 5
Shahryar Khan03-Jan-2002
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Bangladesh-A is taking on a mighty Pakistan squad for a three-day match in
BKSP starting from January 5. Pakistan, one of the super powers of the game, is
not taking this first class match lightly. They will be on the field with their
probable best eleven – disclosed Mudassar Nazar, the coach.
In absence of Saeed Anwar the opening slots are lacking flair, but Mudassar
hardly agrees with this idea. He is thinking of giving a break to Shadab Kabir
and Taufeeq Umar as openers in the BKSP match. Among the three openers in the
squad left-handed Shahdab is back in the team after almost five years. He was
dropped after his disappointing performance in England followed by a streak of
failures against India in Sahara Cup 1996.
On the contrary, Taufeeq Umar saw a debut success against Bangladesh in Multan
where he hammered a scintillating century. Naved Latif, regarded as the most
talented among the young stars, is a very good hitter of the ball. There are
chances he may open too. These three are embarking on their career.
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Are Pakistanis touring here in a relaxing mood? The answer is a strict no.
Waqar is not indulging himself with such thinking. They are here to get a clean
sweep and anything less than a win would be very disappointing. The renowned
super powers have missed two series due to security fear; first New Zealand
pulled out of the October tour and now its West Indies, who are not coming next
February. So, Bangladesh is going to face a hungry Pakistan.
Their net practice session today laid enough proofs that they are pretty
serious about the baby Test nation Bangladesh. They came early in the morning,
did some stretching for hours, played football to warm them up and ended up with
a stern net session, which lasted almost three and half an hour. After three
month’s lay-off from International cricket they were looking very positive to
shake off the lethargy. In a word the tourists are not cynical about playing
against a team that lost eight matches out of nine they have played so far.
Akram Khan, the skipper of Bangladesh-A is giving more stress on batting. His
aim is plain and simple – to draw the 3-day match anyhow. The former Bangladesh
captain is not unnerved to steer his team against Pakistanis as he has
substantial experiences to lead the national side in International arena for
five years.
If someone from his team pulls off big success in BKSP match, will he get a
seat in the national squad? Akram Khan said that this single match would hardly
prove one’s ability to cope up with bigger situations in Tests. If one scores
a hundred or a 80 or takes 6 wickets do not have anything to do with having a
seat in the national side right this moment. This thing is applicable to him as
well.
“We are playing against them without having anything in our head about the
national team. We are playing for Bangladesh-A and looking to play as good as
possible. It would be creditable if we could end up with a draw. To do that we
will need quite a bit of good batting and at this moment we are aiming on that
only.”
Tomorrow both teams will run their last net sessions in BNS in the morning
before this first-class match.
