Pakistan, BD to complete formality if rain allows today

RAWALPINDI: Two teams -- Pakistan and Bangladesh -- having no bigger stakes remaining in the ongoing Champions Trophy will be looking forward to their first win here at the Pindi Stadium today (Thursday).

Besides facing each other, the two teams would have tough weather conditions to counter as the forecast is for another rainy day. Following a complete washout on Tuesday where both South Africa and Australia got one point each, fears are there that Thursday may be another wet day in and around Rawalpindi.

Pakistan and Bangladesh have played two and lost two, making hardly any impression on the formidable teams of Group A -- New Zealand and India. For Pakistan Thursday’s match will be played more to salvage some pride that was dented badly with the two repeated blows against New Zealand and India.

More importantly these defeats were not the ones where Greenshirts were seen competing in all the departments. The fact of the matter is that the Pakistan team has yet to show their true substance as neither bowling nor batting have made any impact. Bangladesh on the other hand were seen making some impact especially against India where they stayed in the game till the end overs.

Even if the rain stays away, the two teams will be seen completing mere a formality with win or defeat having no impact on the Group A standings. Unlike Group B, where race is on for a place in the knock-out stage, it is all done and dusted in Group A where New Zealand and India marched into the semis with two successive wins.

Pakistan team Head Coach Aaqib Javed defended team selection during his media talk a day ahead of the match. “It was the best possible squad for the Champions Trophy. Like every other Pakistan cricket fan, the entire team is also upset at early exit from the Champions Trophy. If you cannot play to the best of your abilities, you would be the first man to feel depressed. Every team member is upset at the loss.”

Aaqib termed the inexperience of the team as the main reason for defeat. “Comparatively Pakistan team lacks experience and exposure and that turned out to be a lackluster show.” On Thursday’s match against Bangladesh, Aaqib said every team competing in the Champions Trophy is a tough one.

“We cannot take the match against Bangladesh lightly. We have to play our best cricket to beat Bangladesh. We are capable of that. If rain stays away we will make every effort to put points on the board.” Bangladesh’s Senior Assistant Coach Salauddin called on his top-order players to be at their best against Pakistan.

“We are totally focusing on the Pakistan match. Our top and middle-order is not getting runs. They need to click on Thursday if the match goes ahead. If we succeed in scoring a good total we can put pressure on Pakistan.”

Salauddin was excited at the bowling prospects. “Our new-ball bowlers are good and we are sure we can put pressure on Pakistan’s top-order batsmen. However, it all depends on our top and middle-order to score runs.”

He admitted not playing to the required standards in the Champions Trophy. “We are capable of playing better cricket. But we would discuss the Champions Trophy performance once we go back to Bangladesh. At the moment we are totally focusing on the Pakistan match which is very important for us.”

Teams: Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imamul Haq, Kamran Ghulann, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman AU Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Bangladesh: Naznnul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker AU Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.

TODAY’S FIXTURE

Pakistan vs Bangladesh

2:00 pm PST