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As the focus shifts from India's humbling loss to New Zealand, to another cracking encounter between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Kolkata, there are bound be a lot of expectations of either side. Bangladesh is currently enjoying a rich vein of form, and has already defeated Pakistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup. Pakistan, meanwhile are struggling with their combination at the top of their order, but do possess a lethal bowling attack that can dismantle any opposition on any given day. Their captain Shahid Afridi is under a lot of pressure and exp[ect the mercurial team to come out throwing all the punches. This is a match-up between a rising team of the world and a team which has stagnated but is expected to do well on any given day. The likes of Mohammad Amir, Tamim Iqbal, Wahab Riaz, Shahid Afridi and Shakib-al-Hasan will fight hard and have the required skills to be successful at the top level. Expect a mouth-watering prospect.
#1 Mohammad Amir vs Tamim Iqbal
The resurgence of Tamim Iqbal has been the primary reason for the dominating performances of Bangladesh all throughout the group stages. Tamim has provided solid and belligerent starts to Bangladesh on all three occasions. He also became the first Bangladeshi batsman to score a century in T20I, when he slammed a ton against Oman. He has scores of 83, 47 and 103 in the three qualifying games, and if he continues this purple match, Pakistan are in for some trouble.
Pakistan, however, have an answer and that too a potent one in Mohammad Amir. Ever since Amir has made a comeback he has shown hat he is hungry for success and wants to make up for the lost time. Amir, with his pace and late swing has tormented batsman, and he will be one to watch out for. Creating awkward angles and reversing the ball at the death, makes Amir a complete package, and Tamim must guard against complacency especially when facing Amir.
It only takes one over in a spell in a T20 match to change a match completely, and if either of the two stamp their authority, their teams would have pulled away from the other. A battle to watch out for.
#2 Wahab Riaz vs Sabbir Rahman
Sabbir Rahman is being labelled as the next big thing from Bangladesh, and his recent performances have only justified this tag. He was the player of the series in the Asia Cup, and has contributed significantly so far in the qualifying stages of this tournament. A batsman who has the power game along with the ability to rotate strikes, Sabbir has become the perfect foil for Tamim and holds the innings together. His ability against spin and pace is equally good and never is shy to try funky shots. He has scored 388 runs in 12 T20I innings at an average of 43.11.
And then there is Wahab Riaz, and his searing pace. Every cricket fan will never forget his spell against Shane Watson at the Cricket World Cup, and expect Wahab to give it all whenever the captain throws the ball at him. If he is in rhythm, Wahab can easily be the quickest of the lot. He bowls what we call the heavy ball, which hits the bat with some force and becomes difficult to hit away. With his slightly different wrist position, Wahab has the ability to take the ball away from the batsman, and Sabbir who loves to drive should be watchful.
A duel between a free-flowing batsman up against a quality fast-bowler is always mouth-watering and the outcome of this mini-contest will be very critical to their respective teams.
#3 Shakib Al Hasan vs Shahid Afridi
These are the two talisman players of each side, and both are all-rounders.
While Shakib is playing at the peak of his prowess, Afridi has faded to some extent. But then underestimate the Pathan from Pakistan at your own peril, and Shakib will know it.
Shakib walks in at either number 4 or 5, that is during the middle overs, and Afridi is in operation during that stage. How Shakib will handle the leg-breaks, the googly, the flippers will eventually be reflected in the score. Shakib also loves to slog sweep, and he has to watch out against the wily out customer, that is Afridi.
Flip the picture around, and almost the same situation surfaces. Shakib bowls what we call the critical overs, and Afridi loves spinners. However, the ball will be turning away from him and hence he has to be careful. Bu then when has Afridi ever thought of such dynamics?
The pitch at the Eden Gardens has historically expected spinners and both of them would love to snatch the limelight. Let the battle begin!
#4 Taskin Ahmed vs Ahmed Shehzad
After the spectacular failure of Pakistan’s top order in the Asia Cup, Ahmad Shahzad has been drafted in as the replacement. Shahzad has been in good form in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League, and was visibly upset at his snub from the Asia Cup squad. He is back now, and would love to prove a point and cement his stop at the top of he innings and set the tone for the otherwise jittery batting order of Pakistan.
Shahzad is a combative character and loves to express himself both with the bat as well as verbally, bu the will up against an upcoming fast bowler in Taskin Ahmed.
Taskin is part of a new breed of bowlers from Bangladesh who bowl well in excess of 140 consistently. He has been very good right from the Cricket World Cup in Australia, to the Asia Cup and has provided Bangladesh with critical top-order wickets. He also bowls well in the final overs, and hits his length perfectly. He however, might be under pressure because his action is under scanner, and will that have a bearing on his performance remains to be seen.
Both are young players who love to fight it out in the centre, and the pacy Taskin will test Shehzad, but considering the fact that Shehzad want to prove his detractors wrong, a healthy contest might surface.
#5 Mashrafe Mortaza vs Shoaib Malik
Bangladesh cricket owes a lot to Mashrafe Mortaza for their resurgence. The inspirational leader and the gritty performer, Mashrafe has steered is side into a position of global reckoning in the limited over formats. He plays with unbridled passion and expects his players to put in their 100% each time. His bowling in the middle overs and also towards the end epitomises his commitment. He has been plagued by injuries but he keeps coming back and he keeps performing. He walks in at the crucial stages of the match if there is pressure building and smacks a few around to dismantle pressure. He is what a leader should be like and is a fulcrum around which Bangladesh rotates.
He will most probably be up against Shoaib Malik, another wily customer who is a critical cog in the Pakistani middle order. Malik was easily the best batsman during the Asia Cup, and he shone in that match against Bangladesh which Pakistan eventually lost. He is a calm collected person who identifies the right moment to be aggressive and moments where one should be careful. He has in contrast to the mercurial nature of Pakistan players.
The two veterans will be up against each other and will try to outwit each other. This is the beauty of cricket,and whose experience will come out on top will be a must watch.
