A maverick team that straddles delight and despair in equal measure will clash with another squad struggling to wake up from a slumber induced by endless defeats.
Pakistan, nursing a beguiling mix of talent and controversies, needs a morale-boosting victory in the current Asia Cup before it heads back home. For Bangladesh, a victory would mean that it can avoid the wooden-spoonist tag.
The clash between the two bottom-placed teams at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium here on Monday is all about enhancing performance and salvaging pride, while Sri Lanka and India have already booked their slots in the final.
Moments of dominance
Skipper Shahid Afridi's 109 against Sri Lanka and the initial spells of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Aamer against India have been the few moments of dominance for Pakistan amidst two consecutive losses that led the team to its exit. “Ours is a young team and it's only a matter of time before we get stronger,” said Afridi.
Against India, openers Salman Butt and Imran Farhat did set a base that wobbled after the middle-order remained tepid and Akhtar went for runs in his return spells. These are issues that need to be ironed out though against a weak Bangladesh similar errors may not prove costly.
Bangladesh has its share of woes as the batsmen, with the exception of opener Tamim Iqbal, have looked out of place in the international arena.
Reliance on lower order
In recent times, Bangladesh has often relied on lower-order resilience mounted by captain Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah rather than on its experienced batsmen like Mohammad Ashraful, who has often flattered to deceive. “We need to be consistent,” said Shakib.
Shakib's men slumped to demoralising defeats against India and Sri Lanka and against a stung Pakistan, Bangladesh has to play at its supreme best to even fancy its chances of pausing its cycle of defeats.
